Meet a Mom – Gina Stempler | Essex County Moms

 

1.How many kids do you have and what are their ages?

 

My daughter Falyn is a junior at Ithaca College currently spending a semester abroad in Israel.   I have two grown stepchildren, Rick and Amy, a daughter-in-law Isabella, and two little granddaughters, Brooke and Julia   They are all here in New Jersey also, Hoboken and Jersey City respectively.

 

  1. How long have you lived in Short Hills/Millburn/Livingston and what made you decide to live here?

 

I grew up in West Orange and have spent most of my adult life in Livingston.   I guess you could say I’m a Jersey Girl to the core!

3.Tell us about your business and what other local things you are involved in!  And how did you get started?

 

 

I’m former co-owner of a lingerie boutique in Millburn known as Bardot Lingerie.   Closed our doors due to the retail apocalypse in 2016.    Did some multi-level marketing for a while, but I kept hearing from people who needed help finding properly fitting bras.   So I decided to form Bra Mobile, a unique and desperately needed in-home service for women where I provide private consultations, fittings and sales.   Women everywhere are embracing this concept as an idea whose time has come!

 

I also volunteer for the Dress for Success organization.   (Yes, I realize how ironic)   I conduct Bra Fit Workshops for them periodically at non-profit organizations with whom they are partnered where they provide donations of brand new merchandise to women in need.

 

I’m also a proud member of B.I.G. (Believe, Inspire, Grow), a women’s empowerment organization that offers women inspiration, community, and tools they need to move their lives forward both personally and professionally.

 

 

  1. How has the community been instrumental in getting you where you are now?

 

Don’t know where to start.   I’ve met so many wonderful people along the way and scores and scores of women whom I’ve helped when I owned the boutique.    It was an incredibly rewarding experience to help women find that which they couldn’t on their own, oftentimes their eyes filled with tears of joy as they left the shop.   That’s what gave me the desire and impetus to start anew with this venture.   The way we shop is changing,   People are busy and they want and need convenience, but let’s face it – we can’t buy EVERYTHING on line, and one of those things  we shouldn’t be buying on line would of course be bras.  I couldn’t even do that successfully as a bra fit expert!  So I feel very connected and grateful to this wonderful community indeed.

 

 

5.Favorite place for dinner with kids? 

 

Did I mention we’re also foodies??  Love dining al fresco especially!

 

6.Most enjoyable place to hang out?

 

 

We’re big Jersey shore people!    Had an apartment in Pier Village in Long Branch for several years.    We enjoy tennis and spending time up in the Catskills also.

 

 

7.Best piece of advice you can give other moms!

 

I pride myself on being able to work well with women of all backgrounds regardless of their age, ethnicity, shape or size.   Everyone from teenagers, college students, career women, stay-at-home moms, grandmothers and great grandmothers.   Whether you’re the girl-next-door type, a voluptuous siren, or something in between.   Matters not.

 

 

8.One thing people would be surprised to know about you…

 

Considering I’m in the lingerie business, I imagine people would be surprised to learn that I’m not really much of a clothes horse.   At the risk of dating myself, you may recall the old Neil Diamond song “Forever in Blue Jeans.”   Denim and t-shirts or a cozy sweater, comfy shoes or sneakers; that’s the way I usually dress.   In fact, when I’m home, first thing I often do is change into activewear even if I don’t plan on working out!    Ironically, my husband is the clothes horse in the family.   They say opposites attract.   Definitely rings true in this case.

 

 

 

 

Join The Essex County Moms Community

Stay up-to-date with what is happening in-and-around the Essex County Moms community with local events, community highlights, and exclusive deals.