Minnesota businesses perform best when they are at full strength. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota works with thousands of employers that keep our state running strong. Our “Full Strength” series features small businesses across Minnesota that have placed their trust in Blue Cross to ensure their employees can be at their healthiest.

At Wixon Jewelers, employees are a top priority. When it comes to choosing a health plan, Dan and Hope Wixon place their trust in Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota to take care of their people.

Nearly 50 years ago, Dan Wixon began his work as an antique and estate dealer. In this line of work, it didn’t take long for him to realize that carrying around fine watches and jewelry was much easier than hauling furniture. Dan soon pivoted to the jewelry business and has been running Wixon Jewelers for more than 30 years alongside his wife, Hope.

Wixon Jewelers, located in Bloomington, Minnesota, employs an in-house team of highly trained gemologists, watchmakers and jewelry experts.

“Our employees are our family. Every person here,” says Hope Wixon. “Some of our people have been working here for many, many years.”

An emphasis on good health, relationships and experiences

Wixon takes pride in the talent and passion of their employees, whom they praise as being among “the most comprehensive and educated teams of jewelry experts in the country.”

“One of the things that sets Wixon apart is our people,” says marketing director Jayme Pretzloff.  “We have an incredible team that’s filled with professionals in each individual area.”

For a small business like Wixon, consistency among the team is critical to the in-store experience and can be a difference-maker in building long-lasting relationships. "If even one person is missing, Wixon’s clients don’t receive the same experience,” Jayme continues.

“Having our team at full strength is paramount”

Hope and Dan place a lot of value in making sure Wixon employees have strong options for selecting a health insurance plan that meets their needs.

“We want to make sure the insurance we provide covers a range of things that are important to our team. For some of them it may be wellness, for some of them it may be related to their children, for some of them it may be aging," Hope says.

Wixon has been with Blue Cross for approximately five years, providing coverage to more than 20 employees and more than 25 dependents.

“Having our team at full strength is paramount to our business, and with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, it really allows us to keep that in the back of our mind and have that confidence to know that we’re going to be taken care of,” Jayme says.

Click here for more information on Blue Cross plans and resources for small business groups.