Interview with Vivian of Amelia James by Vivian Park: Working and living fashionably and comfortably
Hi friends! I had the pleasure of interviewing a "super mom," Vivian Park, owner of Amelia James by Vivian Park and a cute clothing boutique in Long Island, New York. Vivian shares insights about parenting, how to live and work fashionably (in comfy clothing!), and how to find harmony and balance in her busy life as a mommy, wife, boutique owner, part-time healthcare worker, and human being!
Vivian
Amelia James by Vivian Park
1- Hi Viv- please tell us a little about yourself and your family.
We are a family of four - my awesome hubby Charles, my beautiful 2-year-old girl named Cali and a spunky 3-month-old Samoyed puppy named Daphne. My husband grew up in Queens, NY and I grew up on Long Island. We ended up settling on Long Island almost exactly in the middle, geographically speaking, between both our families!
2- Please tell us about your business. What inspired you to start it?
I am a consultant/independent boutique owner for a brand new clothing company called Amelia James. The company is all about empowering women to live their lives according to their OWN design and to feel beautiful in any shape or size. After having my daughter, I could not lose the weight that I longed to lose to fit into my pre-pregnancy clothes. Almost two years later, I was still wearing maternity jeans and maternity tops because I could not come to terms with the fact that I needed to buy new clothing. Later on I was invited to an online Facebook pop up party for a different company that sold comfortable leggings, tops, and dresses that were flattering and were cute! That was the spark that led to my researching and finding out what opportunities were out there to sell clothes and start my boutique. I ended up picking Amelia James because I fell in love with their trendy and flattering designs, and because they were a small company just starting out with so much potential. When I first joined the company back in March 2017, there were about 150 of us. Now we have grown to over 400 consultants in a few months! Also our feedback and opinions are heard by the founder, and it's thrilling being one of the first consultants that will drive the direction of where this company is headed. I mostly sell through my Facebook group, but I have a little boutique set up in the basement of my home.
Vivian's home boutique
I love love having locals pop by to shop! There is playroom in direct view of my boutique and I set it up that way specifically so moms could come with their kids for a play-date and also be able to shop because how hard is it to take your kid to the mall and go clothes shopping? Yeah, doesn't happen often, right?? One of the reasons why I wanted to start this business was for moms like me with young children who feel like a hot mess and don't have the time to find flattering comfortable clothing!
3- How do you maintain work-life harmony?
I'm going to be completely honest. THE STRUGGLE IS REAL. I haven't achieved that harmony yet, but I think that's okay. I'm going to cut myself some slack because it's only been a few months and it's been a whirlwind. I think setting up a day to unplug and not look at my phone or email would be a way to eventually achieve a better balance and also establishing set business hours. I also work in the healthcare field part-time, so I'm juggling that and this new business, and momlife. I love my boutique and selling Amelia James clothing but when I need to be there for my family I don't feel bad about taking a step back. There is amazing flexibility with a business like this and that's why I can do it and also do all the other things I need to do.
4- What advice do you have for new parents?
My advice to new parents would be to let go of some of the control and let those loved ones around you help you.
The saying "It takes a village to raise a child" is completely true. Help is GOOD and necessary to maintain your sanity so if grandma, grandpa, brother, sister, or friend offers to help you let them help you!! And there is absolutely no shame in asking for help too.
5- What’s your favorite children’s book? Why?
When I was growing up the one book that sticks in my mind to this day is Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. I mean I was OBSESSED with that book. I remember wishing with all my heart that food could really rain down from the sky. Yes, I am also a foodie! I guess that's why they made it into a movie, right? It was THAT good. I actually do not own a copy right now, but I think I will buy one to read to my daughter because she's old enough now to start appreciating it! Our favorite book to read together is called All Better. One of my closest friends bought it for her and it is so adorable! It has reusable band-aids that you can stick on to the animals in the book that have ouchies to make them feel better. My daughter loves giving the hurt animals a band aid and a kiss to make them feel all better.
6- How do you define success these days?
That's a tough question! I think success is going for your dreams and taking the risk and loving yourself whatever the outcome. I bet most people would disagree with me and say success is achieving goal of XYZ and financial freedom, etc, etc. But just because you haven't hit that goal, it doesn't mean you're not successful, right? Going for it and keeping at it despite all those who bring you down. Now that's success in my book.
7-And finally- is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I would just like to say thank you to all the readers for taking the time to learn a little bit about me and my boutique clothing business Amelia James by Vivian Park. If you are interested in shopping with me please join my VIP facebook group (link) or please reach out to me via email or FB messenger if you would like to find out more about the Amelia James opportunity! xoxox Vivian
Kat Rockin'AJ
Thanks for stopping by, Vivian! The AJ clothes are super comfy and fashionable. People love the snazzy leggings you'd gifted me, and I could wear the pretty Seattle poncho I bought any day! This outfit really flatters my body type- Kat
Want to buy clothes or learn more about My Amelia James? Contact Viv today!
- Facebook VIP group - www.facebook.com/groups/myameliajamesbyvivianpark
- Facebook Business Page - www.facebook.com/myameliajamesbyvivianpark
- IG Handle - @ameliajamesbyvivianpark
- Email - myameliajamesbyvivianpark@gmail.com