Blog

Welcome to Behind Our Members: a new feature that will give you a deeper look at some of the Oheb members you know and love.

What led you to the profession you are in? Was it always a passion, or something that naturally evolved? 

I own Retail Therapy Boutique in Maplewood, a ladies’ consignment boutique.  I started my business 5 years ago after years of styling friends and shopping for others.  I was a Clinical Psychologist prior to that for 12 years in the city and grew tired of the commute and stress related to balancing my Clinical Work with raising 2 boys and motherhood. My business evolved organically from selling my own clothes on Facebook and grew into a full business and store.  I also developed a branch of my business that involves going into ladies’ homes to help assess their wardrobes and “let go” of items that are no longer working for them.  That is a super-fun aspect of my work!

 What is the most rewarding part of what you do & who is your ideal client? 

 The most rewarding part of my work is finding an an item of clothing  for a client or styling them in a way that elevates their mood and makes them feel authentically beautiful. Another rewarding element, is helping older women downsize their wardrobes in a way that feels meaningful and valuable.  When we go through various outfits and looks from their past they often share their feelings about that time of their lives and stories about their identity at the time of wearing a fabulous outfit.  Many older women feel very valued and seen in the process and enjoy following me on Instagram /FB, watching me style their pieces from the 60s,70s,80s, and 90s.

Has COVID-19 effected the way you do your work or changed the way you interact with clients?  

 Covid has completely changed my way of working with clients at the store.  I have built up my Instagram following and connection with my community.  This has allowed me to bring clients in and get them excited about the store without having to physically come to the store.  I now do virtual shopping videos as well as dancing/entertainment videos to get my style message out,  and my themes of self-love through dress up, beauty and adornment.  This is a win-win for me as I am able to integrate my past identity as a psychologist more deeply in my brand.

How long have you been members of OHEB, and what do you enjoy most about the community?  

 Our family have been members of Oheb Shalom for the past 11 years.  My boys who are now 15 and 18, attended Hebrew School and had their Bar Mitzvahs at Oheb.  We have so enjoyed the intimate relationship we have had over the years with Rabbi Cooper and Cantor Lipitz, that only a small congregation such as ours could afford.

What are your hopes for 2021? Personally & Professionally? 

Looking to the future, I have hopes that the trauma of Covid will bring about renewed growth and higher consciousness for this community and our country, and for me and my family.  My business is constantly evolving, and I believe will continue to be a place of empowerment, pleasure and playfulness for women.   I have hopes to continue to entertain and write as an extension of my mission to help women feel inspired towards self love and creativity. On the fashion realm, I have goals to collaborate again with Morphew, a luxury archival clothing store in the city and perhaps eventually do some vintage “pop-ups” in NYC and South Beach.