HMS Interview: Jennifer Spiegelhalter, Shopadorabella.com

Jennifer Spiegelhalter
Entrepreneur, Super-Stylish Fashion Mavin! and One Highly Motivated Hautemomma!

Adorabella
Shopadorabella.com
Exclusive Hautemommastuff Subscriber Coupon – 15% off – just type in HMS at checkout.  It will expire December 25, 2007! so HURRY!

At 32 Jennifer has a business many of us only dream about! She owns and maintains, from the comfort of her own home, the online boutique called adoraBELLA at shopadorabella.com .  Having been fashion-focused for as long as she can remember,  Jennifer decided, in her late 20′s after jumping from major to major and after ”having enough credits to last a lifetime”,  to go to school in Chicago and focus on fashion merchandising and management.   Her family asked if her end goal was to open a boutique, and after much contemplation, she said yes! And that is how Adorabella began!

Jennifer strives to find up and coming designers who are established, but perhaps not that well known yet despite national exposure and celebrity recognition.  She does not carry things that are found in department stores, and is VERY picky about quality.  Her dedication to excellent customer service, work ethic and motivation make her very proud of everything she has accomplished….And HMS totally AGREES!!!

 Read more about Jennifer, and find out what some of her favorite Haute Things are!

Click here to view just a few haute items from shopadorabella.com!


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Favorite restaurant?
In Louisville I have three that I cannot pick between: Asiatique, Jack Fry’s, and Kashmir.

Favorite hotel? 
I don’t actually have a favorite hotel, but I am very picky about the beds and linens in the hotels I stay.  I like them to have a nice plush mattresses, and high thread count sheets. I find it very important to get a good night’s sleep (especially on a hectic business trip).

Style icon?
I have always loved Twiggy, and how she inspired a generation, however I also am a big fan of Kate Moss.  Many people don’t realize that Kate actually sets trends, and that the fashion industry watches her intently to see what she will wear next.

Current style craving?
I am desperately trying to find pair of black boots that come up over my knees (that I actually like) to go with this season’s ever rising hemlines. 

Favorite gift to give?
I don’t believe in giving practical gifts that the person needs, unless it’s something she desperately wants.  The holidays are a time for frivolity and fun.  So, it depends on who it is, but I generally try to give gifts that fit the person.  Family members usually get fun, unusual home items, since they have EVERYTHING (BUT I am a huge fan of high 1500 thread count sheets).  My close friends usually get jewelry, or clothing. When I find myself in a pinch a nice bottle of wine always does the trick.

What’s in your beauty bag? 
I have more beauty products than the drug store.  But I am a big fan of the professional makeup line Senna.  I can’t say enough good things about it. My second choice is Lancome, and they make a great self tanner too.

Cocktail of choice? 
It has to be a Lemondrop Martini, and my favorite vodka is Chopin.

Favorite mantra?
I have two: It’s better to regret the risks you’ve taken than the ones you let pass you by, and NEVER let an opportunity pass you by. Also, You can’t fail if you never give up.

What was the hardest part about starting your own online business?
All businesses are difficult.  Growing up I watched my parents run two.  However I think the most difficult thing about THIS particular type of online business (at least in the beginning), is that you have to not only know about fashion, but you have to learn photography (everything has to be photographed), then you have to learn Photoshop (to edit the photos), which is one of the most difficult programs.  Beyond that, you have to learn things about graphic design, and you really need to have a good grasp of how to run your website.  If you aren’t computer savvy you couldn’t do this; it would be virtually impossible.  I am still learning everyday, and it can be frustrating at times, especially Photoshop, but I love learning it.  I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

What, so far, has been the most exciting part about owning your own business?  Normally, I would say my first sale, but last week I had my first international sale to a woman in Australia.  We’re in the process of setting up for international sales, and weren’t finished yet, so I ended up talking with her on the phone for quite a while, and she owns a web business as well.  She was so excited about adoraBELLA’s clothing.  I think learning that I am coming up in search engines all over the world, and especially selling to someone in Australia, was one of my most exciting moments.