Gabe Arik
Gabe Arik
Owner | Happy Jewelers
Born and raised in Istanbul, Turkey, Gabe Arik looked up to his father, Isa, as a mentor and role model. In 1973, his father opened, a retail and wholesale jewelry business offering its customers a wide selection of products at highly competitive prices, catering to both wholesalers and the general public, instantly setting itself apart in the industry. He and his brother learned the business growing up, absorbing their father’s values of treating people with respect, maintaining a strong media presence, and managing a diverse inventory. In 1994, the family relocated to the United States, where Isa launched his enterprise in downtown Los Angeles.
Upon graduating from high school, Mr. Arik briefly enrolled in college before realizing that his passion lay in entrepreneurship and following in his father’s footsteps—ultimately continuing the legacy and launching his own store, Happy Jewelers in 2000. In addition to Los Angeles, the business has branched out with a retail store in Fullerton. Marked by exceptional customer service skills, Mr. Arik leads the business with a commitment to helping its strong base of repeat customers get the best value for a wide variety of jewelry, including wedding rings, diamonds, and high-end watches—including Rolex, Cartier, Patek, Panerai, and Omega.
As a testament to his leadership excellence, Mr. Arik’s business was voted “Orange County’s Best Jewelry Store” every year by the Orange County Register Subscribers since 2014 and “Best Jeweler in Orange County” by the Fullerton Best Business Awards Program every year since 2003. He also connects deeply to his industry through memberships with the Jewelers Board of Trade, the California Pawnbrokers Association, Jewelers of America, and the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors Inc.
In addition to his business endeavors, Mr. Arik has extended his fundraising support to numerous organizations and has advocated for nonprofits; CHOC Children’s Foundation, Miracles for Kids, Foster Love and Susan G. Komen Foundation. In his spare time, he enjoys time with his wife and four kids.
Press Release
Gabe Arik has been Inducted into the Prestigious Marquis Who’s Who Biographical Registry
Gabe Arik is a respected small business leader and dedicated entrepreneur
FULLERTON, CA, October 2, 2024, Gabe Arik has been inducted into Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Mr. Arik is the owner of Happy Jewelers, a unique store known for its exceptional customer service and comprehensive selection of products. Since acquiring the business in 2000, he has been instrumental in establishing the company as a prominent industry player that offers a range of items, including engagement and wedding rings and stunning tennis bracelets., diamond earrings, necklaces, luxury watches and more. Additionally, Happy Jewelers provides efficient on-site repair services for watches and jewelry and assists clients in restoring heirloom family pieces.
Mr. Arik’s career in the jewelry industry is rooted in his family’s history. His father established a jewelry business in their home country of Turkey in 1973 and later relocated to the United States to continue his enterprise. Mr. Arik completed some college coursework before realizing his passion for entrepreneurship aligned with his father’s, and he subsequently acquired Happy Jewelers, marking the beginning of his journey as a business owner. Notably, Mr. Arik’s early immersion in the jewelry business was influenced by his father’s mentorship, which instilled values of respect for every customer, competitive pricing for wholesalers and the general public, and careful inventory management protocols.
Throughout his career, Mr. Arik has maintained involvement in industry-related organizations such as the Jewelers Board of Trade, Jewelers or America, California Pawnbrokers Association and the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors. These affiliations have allowed him to remain current in industry trends and to sustain high standards for his business and client relationships. Mr. Arik’s commitment to excellence has earned him accolades such as Best Jeweler in Orange County by the Fullerton Best Business Awards Program since 2003 and being voted Orange County’s Best Jewelry Store by Orange County Register subscribers every year since 2014..
Mr. Arik values spending time with his family, which includes four children. He is also committed to civic service and supports organizations seeking to make a positive impact, including CHOC Children’s Foundation, Miracles for Kids, Foster Love, Susan G. Komen for the Cure and many more. Looking toward the future, Mr. Arik aims to involve his children, nephew and nieces in the family business, ensuring that the legacy of Happy Jewelers, which includes a significant online presence through platforms such as Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, thrives through future generations.
