JILL ROBERTS - CALIFORNIA BEAUTY & STYLE

If you're enjoying a day of shopping in Beverly Hills, Santa Monica or Studio City, and spot a stylish, chic and carefree woman strolling along...chances are they shop at Jill Roberts. Meet the lovely, and enthusiastic Jill Roberts. In 1995 Jill opened her first store on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica, Ca., followed by two other locations in Beverly Hills and Studio City. Jill is a native California girl who was born with that “cool factor.” She has a very relaxed, and effortless style. Her store is bursting with beautiful colors, and she carries the softest, prettiest scarves! Girl after my own heart... She never misses a beat when it comes to a flair for surf & sand merchandising...Chic yet casual, playful and sophisticated, you will fall in love with her dresses, hats, jackets, and when you meet Jill...you’ll fall in love with her.

 Not only is she an inspiration as an entrepreneur, she’s a world traveler, wife, and a mom to three handsome guys, 20, 17 & 14. 

 Jill has a great selection of all the latest jeans, active wear and lingerie. Jill Roberts Boutique located here in Beverly Hills - 423 North Bedford

Muamua Dolls / Clutch /

Jill and her guys... The Roberts family were "sneaker heads" way before everyone got on board with the sneaker craze. 

Golden Goose Deluxe Brand Sneakers - A Guarantee of Uniqueness / Claire Vivier Clutch 

Frank & Eileen Top / Enshallah Large Fringe Bag / Mother Denim / Great fit on the Frank & Eileen tops, I find them sexy and slimming.

Jill Roberts in Santa Monica - 920 Montana Ave. 

Jill Roberts in Studio City - 12053 Ventura Place (Right next to Joan's on 3rd) 

Jill displays both clothing and accessories so you can instantly visualize your wardrobe, and and lends a hand in simplify your packing . If you're headed on a dream vacation or a fun weekend in your own town, Jill has the perfect solution for the ensembles you'll need.

It's the little things...

Jill and her husband Mark are constantly brain-storming together. They are truly a team, and he loves motivating her every step of the way.  When you walk into the boutiques you instantly see a true reflection of her travels, zest for life, and love for the beach.  I love this photo of Jill and Mark on their vespa -zipping around Bev. Hills getting a little inspiration.

Jill wearing just one of her many hats on Manini' Beach - Kona, Hawaii /  If you’re thinking about bikini season, she has a great eye for classy, chic, and sexy swimwear. You’ll want to get in shape quick when you lay eyes on her swimwear.

On a Paris buying trip. Jill followed her passion for clothing, design and travel...and now her lifestyle incorporates it all. 

Stylish in her  Golden Goose Sneakers - 

On Capri, making her way to one of her favorite spots - Fontelina Beach - Jills's tote is custom made in Florence, Italy and coming soon to JR stores! 

Taking a little down time to appreciate, recharge and working on endless creative ideas. Jill has the right idea; incorporate your joy of life, family, your work & create your dream job.

I found a cool pair of Closed jeans. She also has a nice selection ofUlla Johnson tops and dresses, so pretty and feminine.  I love my new jeans! 

       “Define success in your own terms, achieve it by your own rules, and build a life you’re proud to live.” — Anne Sweeney

Me: As a businesswoman, what are some challenges you have faced in the beginning stages, and how did you overcome them?

Jill: It’s been so long since I started my business and it was so different back then. I actually think there are more challenges now - 20 years ago I was welcomed with open arms into a fashion community that begged for new, small scale retailers.  The department store business was dying and I was part of a new group of personalized retailers who created the “Contemporary Market.” Now there are so many of us and its a challenge to survive every day with discounts from big box stores and online shopping taking over “old school-touch it, try it on” in store.

 Me: Briefly describe a day in your life as an entrepreneur. From the time you wake up - 

Jill: My kids are older now: 20, 17 & 14 so I am not needed so much in the early AM - I take this time to chill and enjoy my morning coffee before I get out of bed - a double latte with whole milk! If I am not deep in the middle of my buying seasons,  I will work a little from home and then head to Maha Yoga for my Happy Yoga practice. From there I wash my face in the car and head to my office sweaty! Most days I am wearing workout clothes all day long in line of some cute JR combination. I will work at my desk until I pick up my son from practice at 5:30. Work usually consists of answering emails, researching new brands, monitoring inventory, budgeting buying seasons, creating new marketing ideas for Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, choosing outfits to shoot for our website, writing orders, creating designs for my private label cashmeres…Then I head home to cook dinner for all my men - usually some sort of animal protein with lots of veggies and salad. A glass or two of Rosé is imperative at this point as well! We tend to eat late and sit at dinner chatting with the boys until we all realize that its a school night and homework must be completed. Netflix usually calls my name and I am out by 11pm. 

Me: What motivates you in your job and your personal life?

I have several motivators in my life: My husband, Travel, my kids, my BFFs…They are all an inspiration to me - My husband is the ultimate entrepreneur who is always coming up with new ideas for businesses, stores, clothing lines, accessories etc.  He pushes me to keep moving forward and thinks I am Wonder Woman. When I travel I always find something new for the stores or come up with a new business plan or creative marketing idea.  When Mark and I are together on vacation we are always working, creating, thinking, taking pictures of people, products, landscapes etc. The girls in our office hate when we go away because it means more emails and projects for them!  My kids are super cool and have great fashion sense - we are all sneaker freaks and they keep me on top of the latest trends and brands that speak to them! And my BFFs are ever present in my life as inspirations: they are beautiful inside and out, open and honest about showing me how I can be a better woman, mother, friend, businesswoman…

Me: What are your 3 favorite beauty or clothing products you simply can’t live without?

Jill: This is too limiting so here are my choices ;) An Eres Bikini, an Alaia Dress and a cashmere sweater with jeans. K. Jacques Sandals & Golden Goose SneakersDavines Love Shampoo, Annemarie Borlind Eye Creme, Nuxe Sunblock, Nars Orgasm Lip Gloss, YSL Touche Eclat Concealer and Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint.

ME: How do the ideas to consistently grow your business come to you? 

Jill: Shopping other stores while traveling, surfing the web and brainstorming with Mark and my right arm Vicki in my office!

https://www.instagram.com/jillrobertsboutique/

 

MAUD'S

Meet Fearless Female Victoria O'Brien. Entrepreneur, mother of three, wife and an Irish beauty who is making her dreams come true. Victoria opened Maud's in June of 2015. Located in Beverly Hills next to West Hollywood on Doheny, you will find a welcomed and much needed boutique that provides you with Luxurious Lashes, Waxing and Manicures. If you're lusting after long lashes, make your appointment at Maud's and treat yourself to a little glam.

Born and raised in Northern Ireland, Victoria left for London at 20 years old. She then headed to England, Australia, Dubai, London and last stop was Qatar. Fulfilling her love for travel, all along she never lost sight of where she wanted to live and begin her business. For 23 years, Victoria’ would say, “I want to live and work in Los Angeles by the time I am forty years old”. Well, guess who landed in Los Angeles with her husband, three kids and began her business by forty…  A mantra that surly paid off. Inspired and genuinely motivated by her glamours grandmother Maud, Victoria was on a mission, and nothing was going to stop her. She also wanted to create a work environment that allowed her to be available for her family and be the ‘mum’ she wanted to be for her three young kids. Victoria had a vision, a dream, and a desire. Having that strong of will allowed Victoria to travel, marry, start a family and in perfect time, those dreams turned into reality.  Everyday Victoria can walk through the door of her salon, glance up, and give thanks to the inspiration behind the dream.. Her grandmother Maud.

 

Victoria and her family in Los Angeles.  Her motivational team...

 Before smart phones and social media, we went to the salon to relax and enjoy our beauty treatments. When you enter Maud's front door you're instantly brought back to when life was quite and simple. Lashes, Nails, Eyebrows...Its a lovely setting to pamper yourself and give your device a rest.

Treatment rooms are restful and comforting. It was nice to sneak in a little nap while Jennifer applied my lashes. 

 Why not book your treatment for perfectly manicured nails and enjoy a cup of coffee or a spot of tea.

Relax, and unwind in a quiet bungalow setting while Jennifer works her magic. You can also have your brows perfectly sculpted. 

Maud's uses Xtreme Lashes. Each Xtreme Eyelash Extension is individually applied to a single eyelash, resulting in a gorgeous, natural appearance.

With routine touchups every two to four weeks, you can have amazing eyelashes indefinitely. I have a small face and petit features, so Jennifer trimmed my lashes after the final application. 

I do love the look of more lashes. When I wake up I don’t look as tired, I’m a little more bright eyed. I throw on my tinted moisturizer, a little blush, gloss and go. If I’m going out for dinner I add liner and shadow. You can go for length or density, or both. You don’t have to live a big lash life to have lashes.  Thank you Jennifer! 

If you live locally be sure and take a moment to check out Maud's. Located at 624 North Doheny Drive, Los Angeles / 310-777-8813. I really love the feeling of Maud's, It's so refreshing to be in an environment that makes you feel at home.

While walking my dog last year, I noticed there was a new business going in. I watched the construction on Maud’s for several months and wondered what was about to open in our neighborhood. I popped my head in the door and was told an eyelash & manicure salon was about to open. I was thrilled! It looked quaint, sweet and within walking distance...Fantastic! When Maud’s opened, I went and introduced myself to Victoria and welcomed her to the neighborhood. After our chat, I admired her story and knew she would be an inspiration to any female who wanted to move here or anywhere and begin her own business, and who was also turning 40. Lucky me that she is right in my hood, and serves delicious tea and coffee, with a beautiful Irish accent. I’m grateful that I have connected with Victoria. Fearless…Yes,  Inspirational… Yes…Victorious…Yes…That’s Victoria.

Me: As an entrepreneur, what are some challenges you have faced in the beginning stages, and how did you overcome them?

Victoria: One of the challenges for me at the beginning was managing the creation of the Maud's brand, the salon remodel and the grand opening of the salon all while juggling the school commitments and after school activities for my three children. They were all under seven years old and my husband was still working in the Middle East, so it was pretty insane!!

 Me: Briefly describe a day in your life as an entrepreneur. From the time you wake up - 

Victoria: I think I fit into fearless female better than an entrepreneur. Not too much scares me which scares a lot of people around me haha, mainly my husband and my parents!  My day starts at 6 am with a strong cup of English breakfast tea. I've recently begun to set aside Ten minutes in the morning to pray / meditate. I'm then straight into mum mode; preparing schools lunches, breakfast and getting everyone's clothes laid out and ready for the day. At 8 am it's off to school we go and after drop off I try and squeeze in a workout. Occasionally I will have an early meeting, but I like to schedule them mid morning. I'm a nicer person when I can workout! I workout at Happy Hour Gym which is next door to Maud's so I shower there and go straight to work. I'm usually at the salon until noon, and when I pick my son up mummy kicks in again. I'm not an esthetician, so the salon doesn't need me every minute of the day and it works out great. My behind the scenes work happens from my home office. On busy days, I will arrange Childcare and make sure I am at the salon all day. We have an excellent client base already, and I love being there for them and seeing their 'before and after' transformations. I'm also told I make great coffee. It's Nespresso, so I'm not sure I can take the credit!

Me: What or who motivates you in your job and your personal life?

Victoria: A lot of things motivate me in different areas of my life. LA motivates me. Just being here, waking up to it every day. I have wanted to live and breath LA for 23 years and I'm thankful for every minute. My children motivate me to make my business a success. I want them to see what you can do if you want it badly enough. My grandmother Maud motivates me. She loves what I have created here, and she gets such a thrill to see her name up there on the awning. The irony of it all is that she disliked her name. She preferred to be called Maureen, she did not like the sound of Maud. I was then given Maud as one of my middle names and I too disliked it. She and I have both come full circle, and we love it! There was never a doubt in my mind that the salon would be called Maud's. No other name entered into the equation. 

Me: What are your three favorite beauty or clothing products you just can’t live without?

Victoria: Easy - my Xtreme lash extensions, my eyeliner (which is also the Xtreme brand) and my Nikes!

Me: How do you continue to come up with ideas for growing your business? 

Victoria: The concept of Maud's is deliberately simple. We are not trying to be everything to everyone. Instead, we focus on three lines; eyelashes/brows, waxing and nails and we do it very well. Regarding growth, the strategy is simple - establish -perform and grow. We are in the performing stage with growth bubbling under the surface now. Like any successful business, it's about getting every fine detail perfect first rather than trying to grow too fast and risk mistakes. Maud's is a long term business, so we bide out time …A valuable lesson from my grandmother.... 

     * The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.    Audrey Hepburn