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Vendor Profile M.Hakimi Jewelry: More than Exceptional Pearls

AMONG THE EXPECTED COLLECTION of shops in your standard university town, one usually will find a bead seller, and Columbia, MO, is where Mandana Hakimi began hers in the 1980s. Located a little more than five miles west of University of Missouri's campus, M. Hakimi Jewelry (MHJ) has grown its inventory to specialize in pearls (Tahitian, South Sea, Freshwater, and Akoya), but also offers a range including loose stones to finished jewelry. They also match pearls and stones, make custom orders, and offer promotional items. "MHJ is a family-owned business that has been passed down from mother to son," says Mazda Hakimi, Mandana's son. "Mandana worked hard to grow a large customer base throughout Missouri, selling primarily beads and pearls. I joined the business in 2000 and helped to expand our line to include silver, fine color stones, and diamond jewelry—all while maintaining our exceptional pearl line MHJ has become known for."

In 2019, Mazda took over as president and owner of M. Hakimi Jewelry. He is assisted by his wife, Roz Hakimi, as well as two employees in the office, Andrea Colgin and Jessica Avery. "Our pearl line is always a popular draw for our customers," says Mazda. "Recently, our Ombre Tahitian/South Sea strands have been very popular, and our silver jewelry line is also a favorite and sells very well. We’re constantly adding to our line and post new additions and specials on the RJO Facebook page frequently." "We love social media, and RJO’s Facebook page has been a great way for us to introduce our company to the RJO community," Mazda continues. "It allows us to not only display our current and new products, but to quickly connect with customers. We’re able to help them with their immediate needs and respond in real time. It’s also such an honor when one of our RJO customers recommends or “tags” us to members on the page." "Being in this industry for many years. we were aware of RJO and their success," says Mazda. "Many of our best customers would inform us they were members and would tell us about their experiences at the RJO Buying Shows. Over the years our friends and customers encouraged us to join RJO, and we felt our business had grown enough to handle a larger volume of customers. With my wife’s help, we started the process in 2019. We are so grateful for all of our customers that helped and encouraged us to make this decision. My mother had always hoped our business would grow and we would one day become an RJO vendor, and she’s so proud her son was able to make that happen!" MHJ is a newer vendor with RJO, joining in January of last year, just before the pandemic turned everything upside down. "Most of our early communication with RJO was via email, and we made so many virtual friends that way," says Mazda. "Unfortunately, due to COVID, the first Show we would have attended was canceled, so our first real opportunity to see people face-to-face was in Atlanta this past March. It was so nice to see the faces of all of the people that helped us get set up." "Our favorite aspect of being an RJO member is the sense of community and the built-in trust that comes along with being accepted to RJO," he continues. "The members truly value and trust that RJO selects quality vendors, and it’s so nice to be welcomed so warmly by every new customer we meet." Mazda says he is looking forward to the Summer Buying Show, and he also encourages any fellow racquetball players to contact him if they want to play a bit in Cincinnati."

M. Hakimi Jewelry is located at 1400 Forum Blvd. Suite 7A in Columbia, MO. Phone: (800) 542-7327 Website: www.mhakimijewelry.com