Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Tersigni.
Hi Stephanie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My career in the fashion industry began when I was 16 years old and got my first job at Forever 21. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but I truly thrived in the retail environment and loved every minute of it. When I went to college at Miami University a couple years later, I got a job at Juniper, a local boutique in Oxford, OH. It was there that I fell in love with the idea of owning a small business and opening up my own store one day. Upon graduation, I was lucky enough to have landed a job at a corporate retailer here in Columbus, but I found myself missing the store environment and working with different customers each day. Fast forward to a few years later, I was out of a job and decided to take the leap and open up Jolie Occasions. It was truly a “now or never” moment in my life and I knew I would regret never trying. With the support and love from my family and friends (and a hell of a lot of work), Jolie became a reality and I never looked back. We will be celebrating 5 years in business this Summer!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Absolutely not. I used to believe, “if I can just make it through the first year in business the rest will be smooth sailing”, but it turns out there is no guidebook for how to navigate a business during a pandemic 🙂 Each day brings new challenges and I’ve learned to be as resilient as I can. There were plenty of mistakes made along the way (and I know there will be more in the future), but I have learned from each of them and believe it has helped shape who I am as a business owner.
As you know, we’re big fans of Jolie Occasions. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Jolie Occasions is a women’s clothing, accessories, and gift boutique. We offer feminine flair at an affordable price and want everyone to feel welcome in our store. We make some items ourselves such as candles, hair accessories, and keychains, and have even designed clothing in the past. Apart from just being a place to shop, one of our biggest goals is to be more than a store. We love to support other local businesses through hosting pop-up shops, carrying local brands if possible, and partnering with them on events, giveaways, etc.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Personally, I love to read a good thriller book to unwind at the end of the day and get my mind off of work. If I’m looking for inspiration though, I listen to the podcast, “How I Built This” with Guy Raz.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@jolieoccasions.com
- Website: www.jolieoccasions.com
- Instagram: @jolieoccasions
- Facebook: facebook.com/jolieoccasions
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQmSW5ApMEoDnn7d4D_Kkfg
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/jolieoccasions/_shop/
