Enterprise: Fali Jewelers
Handle: 226 S. Washington St., Naperville
Cellphone/web site: 630-857-9108, www.falijewelers.com
Proprietor: Fahsal Ali, 54, of Burr Ridge
Supervisor: Karen Munici, 56, of Oswego
Years in enterprise: Opened in Could
What does your enterprise do? “We’re a fantastic jewellery retailer that caters to customer support, repairs. Engagement rings. We focus on high-end diamonds,” Munici mentioned.
Do your diamonds come from Africa? “They arrive from many various distributors from everywhere in the world. Canada is the No. 1 place now. Lab-grown diamonds are the factor proper now.”
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Are you able to inform a distinction with the bare eye? “No. Even the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) stands behind these. … All the pieces is similar. Actual. They’re a few third of the value of a pure diamond.”
How do you develop a diamond? “It takes 4 weeks in a lab in comparison with a billion years.”
Why open in Naperville? “The chance got here up, so (the proprietor) determined, ‘Why not Naperville.’ We’re proper on the primary strip.”
Is that good for enterprise? “It’s. We get a number of walk-ins, which is sweet.”
How lengthy have you ever been with the corporate? “I’ve been with Fali Jewelers six years. … Working for a family-owned native enterprise, it doesn’t get higher than that. Working for Fahsal is like working for household.”
Why are you on this enterprise? “I’ve been within the jewellery enterprise for 30 years. It was a fluke. I used to be within the salon enterprise. I talked to a good friend within the jewellery enterprise. I didn’t know something about diamonds. … I labored for the Whitehall Co. for a few years till they went out of enterprise. Then, Michael Hill, an organization from Australia, got here in for 10 years and took over some Whitehall shops. Then they left. I knew Fahsal. He mentioned, ‘I would like you.’ I began the following day. He’s the most effective.”
What misconceptions do folks have? “Lots of people suppose jewellery costs are excessive and also you make some huge cash on it. You don’t. Within the ‘70s, sure, the jewellery costs have been excessive. … Lots of shops promote jewellery service plans, safety care plans. Fahsal and I are old fashioned. We imagine that we’ll deal with that buyer, we don’t must promote them additional. In the event that they misplaced a diamond, we exchange it freed from cost. In the event that they want a resizing, it’s free.”
Is there one other retailer? “Sure, in Woodfield Mall. … What’s good with this location is we’ve one thing for everybody. We have now all value factors. Lots of people suppose it’s all high-end. It’s not. … We have now completely different collections right here. We need to ensure we’ve one thing for everybody.”
You handle each shops? “Sure.”
How did the virus affect this enterprise? “We have been closed at Woodfield for 2 and one-half months (in 2020). As soon as folks got here again, they wished to get out and store. … Lots of new company got here in. It was like Christmas.”
What do you want most? “Making folks comfortable. It’s greater than promoting a hoop. It’s promoting their dedication to one another. … They arrive again and present us the marriage footage. They arrive again with their child. Their youngsters wind up shopping for from us.”
What do you inform individuals who aren’t accustomed to jewellery? “We ask them what they need and we educate them if we have to. If they’ve a query about diamonds, I can clarify something they need to find out about diamonds. After which discover the proper diamond for themselves or whoever they’re in search of. … ‘Are you able to think about that ring in your spouse’s finger?’ If the reply is ‘sure,’ then that’s the ring. If the reply is ‘no,’ then we’ve to maintain wanting till we discover the right present. You need to promote one thing so the client is comfortable and so they come again.”
How’s the competitors? “On-line is the most important competitors proper now. … You don’t get the service (on-line). Why they need to purchase a diamond on-line is past me. You’ve received to see what you’re shopping for. Particularly a diamond.”
When is your busy time? “That is it. We put together in July for Christmas.”
Any future plans? “That’s as much as Fahsal.”
Any favourite tales? “We’ve had company get down on one knee within the retailer. That’s superb, sharing that second with us.”
What’s your recommendation for somebody beginning a enterprise? “By no means ever hand over in your dream. And, it takes a number of arduous work.”
If you understand of a enterprise you’d prefer to see to profiled in Right down to Enterprise, contact Steve Metsch at [email protected].
Steve Metsch is a contract reporter for the Naperville Solar.
