Today we’d like to introduce you to Ariel Dale.
Hi Ariel, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I relocated to Los Angeles when I was five years old from Chicago, Illinois. My mom is an administrator in a school district. My passions have always been to create, to share love, and to work diligently and focus intently on whatever it is that I am trying to accomplish.
Having saying that, basketball is my first love. I made a name for myself as a basketball player in the Wilshire and Fairfax neighborhood where I grew up. In addition to many other things, basketball brought me all across the globe and taught me discipline, hustle, and strategy. After finishing high school at Pacific Hills on Sunset Blvd in West Hollywood, CA, I moved to New York to join the 2009 Fordham University basketball team in the Bronx.
In the year 2024, I have carved out a path for myself by fusing the values, characteristics, and customs that my parents instilled in me.
The Dean of Grillz is me.
All I’ve had to do is focus on my strengths and try to incorporate them into every part of my life. With six years of experience teaching Media Arts, Web Design, and Photography, I am currently a full-time dean of students working to create community, culture, and restorative justice in inner cities, including Oakland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
As a side hustle, I’ve been running the Gold Teeth Gallery for the last eight years. It all began in the trunk of my vehicle, and I couldn’t be prouder of how far it had gone.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Going forward, things have never been easy. I had no idea what I was signing up for.
Discovering a harmonious equilibrium in life while following one’s passions is crucial; becoming a jeweler has been an incredibly transformative experience.
Trusting, networking with, and truly building relationships with the appropriate people is my hardest challenge. Trust and loyalty, in my jewelry-related opinion, are the two pillars around which one may build a strong community. My faith in mentors and investments in people I thought were doing a decent job have been shattered on more than one occasion. When shopping for precious metals, stones, diamonds, and gold, for instance, it’s important to work with reputable vendors. Acquiring decent people is a must. A buddy of mine put me in touch with TD Jeweler, a jeweler in Texas. On Instagram, he appeared to have it all, and he was interested in having me as a collaborator. When I say we’re working together, what I really mean is that we leverage each other’s client networks to provide them with amazing jewelry. The diamonds I had sent as a large deposit for never showed up, despite multiple conversations of working together never showed up. It’s like once you send money to people you just never know the next step, that is where trust comes in. Like I was naive and trusting when I first tried to join the game. My desire to become the provider has now dawned on me. You can’t put your faith in anyone without solid proof of their business acumen and track record of success. For this ship to remain afloat, I must personally witness, feel, and participate in everything, and I must always be true to my word.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Seeing my artistic vision materialized into something that real people can wear, rock, and feel new has been incredibly satisfying. Style, fashion, jewelry, and accessories are everything to me. I’ve always had a creative streak and enjoyed working on art projects. At all times, my mom would accessorize me with a lovely set of earrings, necklace, and bracelet from Victoria’s Collections in Downtown LA on Hill St. yearly. I simply enjoy styling, so it’s quite satisfying when people respond positively to my pieces. A long list of satisfied clients attests to the fact that I genuinely take my time with each and every one of them. I am not concerned with how jewelry seems at first glance. People tend to overlook the fact that jewelry is a classic and should endure a lifetime, despite how lovely and flawless everything appears at first glance. That, to me, is the mark of genuine excellence.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I count myself fortunate to have friends and family who have taken me under their wing and taught me the ropes when it comes to starting my own business and being my own boss. It was my parents who developed a fierce will and determination in me. My sister taught me how to hustle, Mike from MSKDESIGN, Victoria’s Collections’ Lena and Vicky, my family, who believe in me, support me, and look out for my best interests, and my sister herself. Finally, the people in the community and the students I’ve had the honor of coaching, mentoring, and teaching—I want you to know how much you meant to me when I was lost and confused—because you all saved my life. Becoming an educator changed my life. It gave me a sense of direction, a purpose, and helped me become a better leader, all of which contributed to my success in my current role.
Pricing:
- $420 Bottom 6 Grillz
- 14 kt Custom Jewelry $125 per Gram + Design Fee
- Nameplates $350 14kt Start
- All size chains
- Certified GIA diamond distributor
Contact Info:
- Website: www.goldteethgallery.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/goldteethgallery
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arieldale/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/gold-teeth-gallery-oakland
Image Credits
@noblephotos
@trippy_sanders
@arielflight
@ruffdraft
