That's Life

Miami Diamond Importer Caters to Retail Clients

He says he’s found the American dream.

Published

2 years ago

January 15, 2023

INSTORE Staff Instore January 2023 Issue

Aslam Bakshi was 21 and living in India when he had the opportunity to move to the Caribbean for a job in a jewelry store, where he became a top seller. When his boss’s invitation to help open a store in Miami met obstacles, he worked for other Miami companies before opening his own, Diamond Images, 15 years ago. Although his wife, Rubina, is his only co-worker in their Miami office, which is retail focused, every custom piece is made from scratch in his building; many of his 300 neighbors are manufacturers. In the beginning, he says, he would drive 80 miles to make $150 profit on repair jobs. Now he has 182 5-Star Google reviews, his sweet spot in retail sales is $20,000 to $100,000 and he imports diamonds for other retailers, some of whom make jewelry for rappers.

Family Legacy, New Chapter: How Wilkerson Turns 89 Years of History Into Future Success

After 89 years of serving the Albany community, Harold Finkle Your Jeweler faced a pivotal decision. For third-generation owner Justin Finkle, the demanding hours of running a small business were taking precious time away from his young family. "After 23 years, I decided this was the time for me," Finkle explains. But closing a business with nearly nine decades of inventory and customer relationships isn't something easily managed alone. Wilkerson's comprehensive approach transformed this challenging transition into a remarkable success story. Their strategic planning handled everything from advertising and social media to inventory management and staffing — elements that would overwhelm most jewelers attempting to navigate a closing sale independently. The results speak volumes. "Wilkerson gave us three different tiers of potential goals," Finkle notes. "We've reached that third tier, that highest goal already, and we still have two weeks left of the sale." The partnership didn't just meet financial objectives—it exceeded them ahead of schedule.