Biz Class: Celebrity Jeweler Ben Baller Drops 5 Business Jewels
After a decade of DJing, jeweler Ben Baller put his career on ice. Now his pieces give your favorite entertainers chills
Celebrity jeweler Ben Baller countered the 2000s recession the only way he knew how: by putting on a front. “I had to maintain that ballin’ image, but I was spending my savings,” says the 40-year-old Los Angeles native, who’s cooled the necks of Mariah Carey, Floyd Mayweather and Michael Jackson. “People don’t realize if you kill yourself socially, survival is 10 times harder.”
Perception has outweighed reality in Ben’s world since striking gold in 2004, when the former DJ and Aftermath executive piggybacked on his cousin and uncle’s family business and founded jewelry company IF & Co. The reformed sneakerhead flipped his hip-hop rolodex into clientele thirsty for his loud and proud (and recession-enduring) craftwork.
With an budget-friendly Neff watch collaboration ($35!) and online reality show in tow, Ben Baller shares how he keeps his biz shining bright. —John Kennedy
FALL BACK
"When it comes to a celebrity or someone of power, I never approach them first—it shows weakness. Once you make it, you don’t need to do that. People already know if they want to get right, they go to me."
EYES ON THE PRIZE
"There’s five rules for being successful. Number one: Get paid. I forgot the other four, but that’s all that matters. I don’t do that, 'Let me get you back later'; you pay me right there."
GET FRESH
"I don’t believe in wearing a suit every day, but jumping into the game, you have to look the part. Try to dress nice."
CREDIT CHECK
"If your credit ain’t good, don’t even try it. You’re going to need it to take out loans, buy diamonds and gold. Just because you have a decent credit score doesn’t mean you can get what you need."
HUSTLE AND FLOW
"If it wasn’t for networking, I wouldn’t be here. There are jewelers who make me look like a fucking peasant. They’ve got great pieces, and they’re on one customer per year. Why the fuck are they not doing it how I am? My mouthpiece is definitely the reason for my success."
