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Pepetools: born in OKC and sold around the world
Published: Tuesday, December 14, 2021 By: Marcus Elwell Source: VeloCity
At the age of 18, Tony Aizenman immigrated to the U.S. with his family from the former Soviet Union country of Ukraine. Aizenman quickly found himself selling wholesale gold door to door. The life of salesman lead to Aizenman building strong contacts and relationships with jewelry stores and starting his life’s work in the industry.
In 1984, Aizenman moved to Oklahoma City with his wife, Irina, and started Aizenman’s Inc., and through the family’s hard work, the company grew into one of the region’s largest resellers of jewelry tools, supplies and more.
In the ‘90s, the Aizenman family started Pepetools when Tony noticed a need in the market that wasn’t being met—quality metalsmithing tools at prices people could afford.
Today, Pepetools is one of the premier original equipment manufacturers in the world. While the bulk of their business is centered on equipment for jewelry makers, they also manufacture equipment for industrial and medical uses. They ship their products across the globe from right here in Oklahoma City at their 20,000-square-foot-facility. Pepetools has also continued the tradition of being a family business as Tony and Irina’s son, David, has undertaken a critical role with the company and helped its incredible growth.
Pepetools is currently undergoing an impressive expansion in space and workforce to accommodate its thriving ecommerce market. VeloCityOKC recently sat down with the Founder & CEO of Pepetools, Tony Aizenman, to discuss how Pepetools got where it is today.
VeloCityOKC: In your own words, what exactly is Pepetools?
Tony Aizenman: We are an original equipment manufacturer (OEM). We make tools and equipment, generally for the jewelry hobby market, and we also cover industrial and medical.
You immigrated here in the 1970s. How did you end up coming to the United States?
I came here as a refugee from the Soviet Union. We left everything behind and came here with nothing. But we didn't come here for riches. We came here for freedom. Which is very, very important.
