07/25/2026
Jason Arasheben arrived at UCLA $28,000 in debt with $400 left. He spent it on wholesale accessories, borrowed a table and made $800 his first day on campus. By senior year he had expanded to six campuses and 250 nail salons across Southern California — earning more than a Harvard Law first-year salary. He skipped law school.
Spending nights in LA clubs gave him access to athletes wearing diamond jewelry. He decided to pivot toward luxury with zero industry experience, set a goal of meeting 10 new people every night and got rejected 70 to 100 times before basketball star Anthony Mason finally said yes. Jason showed up to that meeting with a handmade catalog and no actual jewelry. When Mason liked a bracelet, Jason quoted $40,000 on the spot — then spent the next day finding someone to manufacture it. He made $2,000 profit. Mason loved it.
Jason of Beverly Hills has since designed for Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Kim Kardashian and Drake and crafted championship rings for the NBA and NFL. His advice: every person you meet and every experience you have could be the opportunity. Keep your eyes open for it.
