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About Michele Velazquez

By Mike Fried,

Hi there, I am Michele Velazquez! I am from a very small town in Northern California and I come from a loud Sicilian family. We didn’t have a lot of money growing up so I knew I had to get creative if I wanted to get a college education and make something of myself.

That being said, as soon as I turned 18 I joined the Air Force.  As girly as I am it is hard to believe, but I was determined to make something of myself.  I lived in Germany, Korea, and ended up in Los Angeles where I finally was able to enroll in college on the military’s dime.

In 2005, I got a job with a small company as an Event Coordinator and every night after I put in my 8 hours at work, I put in 5 more in college.  On my first day of work I was introduced to Marvin Velazquez, a shy Engineer who I thought was cool and I figured we would be friends.

Over the 5 years I worked there I learned the ins and outs of event coordinating, graduated from Cal State University, Fullerton with a Bachelor’s in Business, and I also learned that the shy Engineer Marvin was to be my husband.  Who knew?

In 2010, Marvin proposed to me on a sunset cruise.  It was nice, but I really wished someone had taken a picture of him on his knee so I could always have that as a memory.

That got me thinking that I should start a Proposal Planning Company since people propose all of the time but they had no professional resources out there to help them with it.  I already had the Event Coordinating background so I thought it as a natural transition.

Thus, The Heart Bandits were born.  Now I am married to the love of my life and I get to help people propose and plan dates for the love of their lives over and over again. In just over a year my company has helped hundreds of men and women plan proposals, romantic dates, and anniversaries.

I have been fortunate enough to have my company featured in the New York Times, Houston Chronicle,Daily MailBrides Magazine, and many newspapers and television shows around the world.  I truly love what I do and I believe I have found my calling.

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What we love about them:
  • No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. Blue Nile will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
  • Lifetime Warranty
  • Free Shipping
  • Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
  • Provide insurance appraisal
  • One free resizing within the first year of purchase
  • High quality images of about half of their diamonds
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About the author

Mike Fried Mike Fried Mike Fried has over 25 years experience in the diamond industry working with Leo Schachter Diamonds, Moshe Namdar Diamonds, and joining The Diamond Pro in 2007. He is recognized as an industry expert and has been quoted in publications such as Us, People, Page Six, The Next Web and more.

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