B U S I N E S S
25 Years in Business
Marina Bay Watch Company reaches special milestone
M
“It was extremely stressful in the beginning but my wife, Kori, is my rock,” Vartanian said. “She helped us stay up while I struggled to make a name for myself and the shop. I wouldn’t be where I am today without her.” Having the support of his wife and daughter, along with his employees who all happen to be family members, has kept Vartanian focused over the years. His cousin, Moosh Babadjanian, has worked there for over 15 years and helps manage the business. “I am so grateful to him for the hard work he does,” Vartanian said. Vartanian created a special bond with his customers and the people who supported the business when he was starting
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES DIRECTORY AT T ORNE YS
In California, with Medi-Cal, NO ONE should go Bankrupt or lose their home due to medical costs, if you have your affairs in order.
FREE CONSULTATION
• Medi-Cal Planning • estate Planning JOSEPH C. GIRARD, ATTORNEY AT LAW (310) 823-3943 • www.LAElderLaw.com
DE RM AT OL OGY State-of-the-Art State-of-the-Art Skin Skin Care Care with with aa Personal Personal Touch Touch
Skin Cancer Cancer Detection Detection & & Treatment Treatment •• Mohs Mohs Surgery Surgery && &Complex Complex Closures Closuresand and Repairs Repairs Skin Skin Cancer Detection Treatment Complex Closures and Repairs • Mohs Surgery
Skin Cancer Detection & Treatment • Mohs Surgery & Complex Closures and Repairs Cysts, Acne, Warts, Psoriasis, Vitiligo & Rashes • Sclerotherapy • Hair Loss • Chemical & Glycolic Peels
Cysts,Acne, Acne,Warts, Warts,Psoriasis, Psoriasis,Vitiligo Vitiligo&&&Rashes Rashes• ••Sclerotherapy Sclerotherapy •••Hair Hair Loss Loss•••Chemical Chemical && Glycolic Glycolic Peels Cysts, Cysts, Acne, Warts, Psoriasis, Vitiligo Rashes Sclerotherapy Hair Loss Chemical & Glycolic Peels Laser Treatments Treatments •• Restylane, Restylane, Juvederm, Radiesse, Perlane & Botox/Dysport/Xeomin Botox/Dysport/Xeomin Laser Juvederm, Radiesse, Perlane & Laser Treatments • Restylane, Juvederm, Radiesse, & Botox Laser Treatments • Restylane, Juvederm, Radiesse, Perlane & Botox/Dysport/Xeomin
B ach c c ities D ermatology m m eDical c enter B D Beee ach ach c ities ities D ermatology ermatology m eDical eDical c c enter enter www.beachcitiesderm.com www.beachcitiesderm.com Culver City City www.beachcitiesderm.com Culver Culver City (310) 204-3376 (310) 204-3376 (310) 204-3376 3831 Hughes Ave., Suite Suite 504-B 3831 William J. J. Wickwire, Wickwire, M.D. M.D. William 3831 Hughes Hughes Ave., Ave., Suite 504-B 504-B William J. Wickwire, Certified, American Board M.D. Redondo Beach Beach Certified, American Board Redondo of Dermatology Certified, American Board Redondo Beach of Dermatology (310) 798-1515 798-1515 of Dermatology (310) (310) 520 N. N. 798-1515 Prospect Ave., Ave., Suite Suite 302 302 520 Prospect 520 N. Prospect Ave., Suite 302 New Office Office LOcatiON! LOcatiON! New New Office LOcatiON! Seal Beach Beach Neal eal m. ammar, M.D. Seal N m. ammar mmar, M.D. Seal Neal eal m. aAmerican mmar, M.D. Certified, Board (562) Beach 431-8554 Certified, American Board (562) 431-8554 of Dermatology Certified, American Board (562) 431-8554 of Dermatology 500 Pacific Coast Hwy., Suite 512 of Dermatology 500 Pacific Coast Hwy., Suite 512 500 Pacific CoastSaturday Hwy., Saturday andSuite Evening 512 and Evening Saturday and Saturday and Evening Evening Appointments Available Appointments Available
Appointments Available p r r o v v i d e e r f o o r m m o o s t t p p r o o v ii d d e r r f f o r r m o s s t
p p p o s s p p p o o s
PAGE 12 THE ARGONAUT JANUARY 27, 2022
Founded by Michael Vartanian, Marina Bay Watch Company has been in business since 1996 and recently celebrated its 25-year anniversary. out. In the beginning, he filled the store with merchandise to make extra money rather than just relying on servicing the jewelry. He had a lot of debt trying to balance everything, but worked with companies that lent him money to give him enough time to pay back every penny of credit, which he did. “I kept telling myself I would get through it, and I did,” Vartanian said. “I just needed the people I was working with to believe in me too. And I proved to them that they could trust me.” Once business was stable, he worked to build the same trusting relationship with his customers. “A successful business is all about good customer service and quality work,” Vartanian said. “I want to be part of every transaction to interact with every customer and guarantee they leave happy. Jewelry is very expensive, so it took a long time
to build up my reputation of being able to handle expensive brands and for customers to trust me enough to leave their jewelry with me.” Some of the brands people trust Marina Bay Watch Company with include Cartier, Gucci, Rolex and TAG Heuer. On the repair side of the business they specialize in diamond replacement, ring sizing, necklace and bracelet repair, pearl restringing, battery replacement, and jewelry and watch inspection. Many of Vartanian’s customers are regulars who only trust his business to service their jewelry. When COVID-19 hit, their doors were closed for two months and Vartanian didn’t know if the business would make it through the pandemic. When they were finally allowed to open again, he immediately had a long line of customers that was out the door and around the
corner. Things were so busy that the company had to change to appointment only. “99% of our work is servicing watches and jewelry, which is very time consuming,” Vartanian said. “We could barely keep up with the work so my wife and I decided to open for only four days a week (Tuesday to Thursday and Saturday) to guarantee we would still have some personal time alongside the chaos of the store. I couldn’t be more relieved that I made it through COVID-19. With all my heart I am counting my blessings. I’m grateful and happy to have my doors open again. I am thrilled we made it to this milestone.” Marina Bay Watch Company 4027 Lincoln Boulevard, Marina del Rey 310-574-8777 marinabaywatch.com PHOTO BY PETER LYMBERTOS
D er matology matology & S kin S urgery D er er matology & S kin kin S urgery urgery State-of-the-Art Skin Care with a Personal Touch
PHOTO COURTESY OF MARINA BAY WATCH CO.
By Haley Beyer ichael Vartanian began his journey working at a watch shop when he was just 16 years old. He spent nine years at that job and learned all about how to care for watches. He originally had planned to become a pharmacist but didn’t feel that it was the right path for him, so he earned a business degree from Cal State LA before starting his own business. After saving up all his money, in 1996 Vartanian opened Marina Bay Watch Company, a watch service center and jewelry repair shop in Marina del Rey. It was a huge challenge the first few years of running the store in his early twenties, but he was fortunate to meet his wife shortly after opening the business.
Marina Bay Watch Company specializes in watch and jewelry repair, and services a variety of high-end brands including Cartier, Gucci and Rolex.
