Tweet
Troy Record, NY
May 31 2014
Five Questions for Rafi Topalian: May 31
Rafi Topalian: 46, is the owner of Top Custom Jewelry Inc. in
Watervliet, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Rafi
is also known as "The Singing Jeweler" and he will be performing the
National Anthem, "God Bless America" and other songs at the Albany
Metro Mallers home games this season.
1 How have you managed to stay in business for so long?
I've managed to stay in business for so long because of my faith in
God and the support of my wife and family. As a business, I have a low
overhead, high buying power and I'm not a greedy person. The customers
want quality work at a quality price. They want everything, so we are
able to do that for them. We don't do a lot of advertising, a lot of
business is done through word of mouth. Customers bring their friends
and families and we have grown. It's all about networking.
2 How did you get into singing at sports games?
I came to this country when I was eight from Turkey. I remember
studying the National Anthem and I always had confidence in my
singing. I've been singing my whole life and now I sing at different
events for Veterans Day, Flag Day and different 9/11 events and I
started performing for the ValleyCats about nine or 10 years ago. They
have an audition once a year and I went and they liked what they heard
and they invited me back. I take it very seriously and I also have a
lot of fun with it. I never say no to any performance, it's great
publicity for my store and my church, the St. Peter's Armenian
Apostolic Church in Watervliet and it also helps the sports teams
advertise as well.
3 What do you believe in your biggest accomplishment in life?
I'm very proud of my marriage. I've been married to Marianna for seven
years now. I also have a step-daughter named Sarah.
4 How do feel about your nickname, "The Singing Jeweler?"
It just came together one day. Ever since I was a little kid, I've
been singing and I just happened to be in the jewelry business. It was
like peanut butter and chocolate in Reese's, it just happened. You
won't forget "The Singing Jeweler."
5 If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it
make a sound?
I believe yes, absolutely yes. I believe in the Omnipresence of God.
-- Kevin Leibach
http://www.troyrecord.com/lifestyle/20140531/five-questions-for-rafi-topalian-may-31
May 31 2014
Five Questions for Rafi Topalian: May 31
Rafi Topalian: 46, is the owner of Top Custom Jewelry Inc. in
Watervliet, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Rafi
is also known as "The Singing Jeweler" and he will be performing the
National Anthem, "God Bless America" and other songs at the Albany
Metro Mallers home games this season.
1 How have you managed to stay in business for so long?
I've managed to stay in business for so long because of my faith in
God and the support of my wife and family. As a business, I have a low
overhead, high buying power and I'm not a greedy person. The customers
want quality work at a quality price. They want everything, so we are
able to do that for them. We don't do a lot of advertising, a lot of
business is done through word of mouth. Customers bring their friends
and families and we have grown. It's all about networking.
2 How did you get into singing at sports games?
I came to this country when I was eight from Turkey. I remember
studying the National Anthem and I always had confidence in my
singing. I've been singing my whole life and now I sing at different
events for Veterans Day, Flag Day and different 9/11 events and I
started performing for the ValleyCats about nine or 10 years ago. They
have an audition once a year and I went and they liked what they heard
and they invited me back. I take it very seriously and I also have a
lot of fun with it. I never say no to any performance, it's great
publicity for my store and my church, the St. Peter's Armenian
Apostolic Church in Watervliet and it also helps the sports teams
advertise as well.
3 What do you believe in your biggest accomplishment in life?
I'm very proud of my marriage. I've been married to Marianna for seven
years now. I also have a step-daughter named Sarah.
4 How do feel about your nickname, "The Singing Jeweler?"
It just came together one day. Ever since I was a little kid, I've
been singing and I just happened to be in the jewelry business. It was
like peanut butter and chocolate in Reese's, it just happened. You
won't forget "The Singing Jeweler."
5 If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it
make a sound?
I believe yes, absolutely yes. I believe in the Omnipresence of God.
-- Kevin Leibach
http://www.troyrecord.com/lifestyle/20140531/five-questions-for-rafi-topalian-may-31