Today we’d like to introduce you to Sydney Zmrzel.
Hi Sydney, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
In 2018, I was living in Los Angeles, working as an NFL Cheerleader and model within the industry. So many of my Hollywood dreams were coming true, but with the LA environment comes pricy rent, tons of competition and an extremely fast-paced environment. I was working roughly five jobs at all times, trying to juggle each and still have time to be the fun 20-year-old everyone seemed to be on Instagram. Both of my parents are entrepreneurs, so I grew up watching them build an empire that allowed our family to travel and experience so many opportunities many couldn’t.
Of course, I also saw the long days, stressful afternoons and constant dedication to their company. But around the time I was dedicating my days to five other companies, it struck me that I have the knowledge, ability and time to invest this energy into something of my own. I spent the next year researching all I could about business, manufacturers, website building, and all the legal necessities I would need to complete before launching. With my highest education level being a high school diploma and a certification in event planning, I had my work cut out for me. I think the year I spent dedicated to educating myself on how I could succeed is what makes JAUNTY so special, it truly is my baby and I didn’t introduce her to anyone until the launch date in January of 2019. Since then, my business has turned many different corners, but to see where JAUNTY is right now sitting in my first storefront typing out this interview is everything I dreamed of.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Building JAUNTY from the ground up was far from a smooth road. The multiple all-nighters to meet deadlines and the crying breakdowns due to stress and fear of failure are just a few of the bumps I’ve crawled over. I think the biggest challenge for myself was creating a clear idea of what I wanted. There is always so many different roads and opinions in front of you, and if you aren’t clear on your vision, it’s easy to get distracted and shift your business in a direction that isn’t true to your brand. Owning exactly what I want and devoting time to clearly lay out that vision has saved me so much time and given me the confidence to run forward with whatever aligns with that vision.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
JAUNTY is a boutique curated for trendsetters and go-getters. We find the most current styles and provide it to our clients at the most fair price we can… but we aren’t here to sacrifice quality. You can find us online at, www.shopjaunty.com or you can come shop in-store in Scottsdale, AZ. Being able to meet our clientele, sip bubbly while we select outfits for their events, and truly get to hear their feedback on what we are providing has elevated our company tremendously.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Give before you take. One of the first things I look at when someone reaches out to me is if they even follow me and my business. It feels very inauthentic when someone sends me a DM raving about my success with my company but doesn’t even follow the @shopjaunty Instagram. I take note when a makeup artist or photographer offers to work with me or if I post asking for advice or a reference and someone takes the time to share their contacts with me. These are the people I want to work with and offer my advice to.
Contact Info:
- Email: sydney@jauntyusa.com
- Website: www.shopjaunty.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/shopjaunty
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/shopjaunty
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SydneyZmrzel
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/shopjaunty/_shop/
Image Credits
Photos by: Cierra Porter (CIERRA JADE PRODUCTIONS)
