In his own words: David Lorenz, Michael and Son's

Northern Nevada Business Weekly: Tell us a little about Michael and Son's.

Lorenz: Family-owned retail store specializing in fine jewelry and Native American art and jewelry. Ten full-time employees, five part-time employees. Creator and manufacturer of Nevada Wolf Pack jewelry, designed and manufactured the World Poker Challenge bracelet; designed and manufactured Entertainer of the Millennium Award given to Celine Dion by Gov. Jim Gibbons; designed and manufactured Silver and Turquoise cross given to Pope John Paul II. We do computer design and hand-crafted jewelry.

NNBW: What role do you play in the company?

Lorenz: Oversee company operations and forecasting, design jewelry and interact with clients.

NNBW: What kind of boss are you?

Lorenz: Easy but firm. I allow my employees to accomplish the tasks given to them without constant oversight. Our staff is professional craftsmen and are given the latitude to be creative. My job is to make sure the employees stay on task.

NNBW: How did you get into this profession?

Lorenz: I have always liked silver and gold since I was in high school. On the weekends my family would travel along the border of Vermont and New York going to all the flea markets and antiques shops looking for silver and gold items to buy and sell.

NNBW: What do you enjoy about it?

Lorenz: Every day is different. I enjoy taking a stone or broken piece of jewelry and creating something new or bringing a piece of jewelry back to life.

NNBW: What do you find annoying about it?

Lorenz: Not having enough time to be creative.

NNBW: What are some of the challenges that your business faces in the next few years?

Lorenz: The economy. Being able to balance and adapt.

NNBW: What effect will the changing economic environment have on your company?

Lorenz: The current economy is extremely challenging. A business must be able to adapt quickly to current and future trends. For Michael and Son's, we must control our inventory and continue to promote the value we offer to the consumer.

NNBW: How do you spend your time away from the office? Why are these activities important to you?

Lorenz: I finally have graduated from college. This was my focus for the last three and a half years along with being a husband and dad of two daughters. I also enjoy my oldest playing soccer. Barbequing is an enjoyable escape, especially when I am cooking for others. My daughters and I ride go karts. I like to take day trips and travel with my family. Without my family I have nothing, and spending time with them experiencing the wealth of history our country has is fantastic.

NNBW: If you could have a do-over in your career, what would you do differently the next time around?

Lorenz: The one thing I would have done over is to have gone back to college earlier, not at 18 but at 30. The rest of my life I am very satisfied with. I have a great and supportive wife of 23 years, two fantastic daughters, my parents still alive and living in Reno and friends that I cherish.

NNBW: What's the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Lorenz: Treat every person with the same dignity and respect you expect to be treated.

NNBW: Any final thoughts?

Lorenz: I truly feel that if every person were to do just a little more our world would be a better place. Each person is like a puzzle piece. Separately, we are just one piece with no direction or purpose. But put the pieces together the whole picture comes to light. If everyone took this approach there would be no hunger or hatred in the world.

The basics:

Name: David Lorenz

Professional position: Owner, Michael and Son's

How long have you been in this job? 20 years

How long in the profession? 26 years

Education: BS Business Administration, BS Business management

What's on your iPod? '70s, '80s rock, country and Western

The best movie ever? "Batman" series, "Harry Potter" series, "Robin Hood" with Errol Flynn