Podcast Summary: What We Wore - Episode 147 | Jenny Belushi & Heather Rosenfield
Host: Laura Vinroot Poole
Guests: Jenny Belushi & Heather Rosenfield
Release Date: August 20, 2024
Introduction & Meeting the Guests
Laura Vinroot Poole welcomes Jenny Belushi and Heather Rosenfield, co-owners of Poppy Store, a renowned children's boutique located in the Brentwood Country Mart. The trio reminisces about their first meeting, highlighting the warm and genuine connection that would later form the foundation of their business partnership.
Laura Vinroopool (00:05): "Heather and Jenny, I'm so glad to have y'all here."
Early Lives and Fashion Memories
Jenny Belushi hails from Beverly Hills, LA, and shares her lifelong passion for fashion, influenced heavily by her chic mother.
Jenny Belushi (01:42): "My mom was always slack and chic and, you know, always going to New York and Gwen... she really got me into fashion."
Heather Rosenfield, raised in Northern California's Napa Valley, developed an appreciation for beauty and quality from an early age, inspired by her Francophile mother.
Heather Rosenfield (05:25): "I always loved it. My mother really loved the quality of things."
A Life-Altering Experience: Heather’s Rescue Story
Heather recounts a harrowing experience from her teenage years when she was the sole survivor of a boat wreck near Fiji. This traumatic event not only shaped her resilience but also instilled a profound sense of perspective and appreciation for life.
Heather Rosenfield (06:06): "I was airlifted... someone from the consulate came and met me. I stayed at their house for three days on the couch."
Laura expresses concern about the long-term impact of this experience on Heather, to which Jenny adds a light-hearted note about Heather’s calming presence.
Laura Vinroopool (08:38): "How many years of therapy have you had since that?"
Jenny Belushi (08:54): "A friend calls her Valium, human Valium..."
Heather reflects on how this experience has influenced her approach to life and business, emphasizing resilience and maintaining a positive outlook.
Heather Rosenfield (09:22): "It gave me a huge amount of perspective... taking a breath, and it'll be okay."
Career Paths Before Poppy Store
Jenny Belushi shares her diverse career journey, from starting at Benetton at age 14 to exploring roles in production and art history before returning to her passion for retail and jewelry.
Jenny Belushi (13:55): "I got a degree in art history and I didn't use it... then I had this itch to go back to retail."
Heather Rosenfield discusses her ventures into children's cashmere lines and interior design, ultimately finding her niche in retail that allowed her to balance work and family life.
Heather Rosenfield (15:39): "I did interior design right out of college... I wanted something that I could have more control over."
Founding Poppy Store
The conversation delves into how Jenny and Heather decided to partner and establish Poppy Store. They highlight their complementary skills—Jenny's expertise in front-of-house retail and customer relationships paired with Heather's design and editing prowess.
Jenny Belushi (18:07): "We were just friends... put us together as partners."
Heather Rosenfield (19:43): "Jenny is the retail, like everything retail... and I'm really interested in the editing."
Their first buying trip to Florence serves as a pivotal moment where they curated their store's offerings together, blending Jenny's funkiness with Heather's classic style.
Jenny Belushi (24:17): "We kept on ordering and ordering... We ended up placing like a $25,000 Italian ballet shoe order."
Partnership Dynamics
Jenny and Heather emphasize the natural synergy in their partnership, respecting each other’s strengths and avoiding overlapping roles. This harmonious collaboration has been key to their sustained success over the years.
Heather Rosenfield (25:35): "We have our roles that we're strong at and complement each other."
Jenny Belushi (25:48): "It was very natural... our mix together just kind of worked."
Business Growth and Expansion
Poppy Store experienced organic growth, quickly opening a second location in 2011. They discuss the challenges and strategies involved in managing multiple stores, including maintaining brand consistency and understanding different customer bases.
Jenny Belushi (27:06): "People were so excited to have a kids store there..."
Heather Rosenfield (31:08): "We have a remote team... make everyone feel part of a team."
Team and Company Culture
The duo fosters a predominantly female team, valuing work-life balance and encouraging employees to take time off to stay refreshed. Their inclusive and supportive company culture has been instrumental in building a loyal and dedicated workforce.
Heather Rosenfield (30:22): "We're big on encouraging... take some part of summer vacation so you can actually come back refreshed."
Community and Gratitude
Jenny and Heather express deep gratitude for the Brentwood Country Mart community, acknowledging loyal customers and the supportive environment that feels like family to them.
Jenny Belushi (35:17): "I'm grateful for our very loyal customers..."
Heather Rosenfield (35:54): "Everyone that works there really is like our family."
Personal Anecdotes: Prom Stories
The guests share memorable prom experiences, reflecting on their unique fashion choices and the lessons learned from their youthful adventures.
Jenny Belushi (46:37): "At prom, every single person was wearing my dress... different color, but no one had the white."
Heather Rosenfield (49:00): "I worked in a nice women's clothing store... long, black, form-fitting Nicole Miller prints."
Life-Changing Advice
Jenny Belushi cites her mother's advice, "Life is not a dress rehearsal," which empowered her to make significant personal and professional changes, including leaving a long-term marriage.
Jenny Belushi (45:07): "Life is not a dress rehearsal... I'm gonna live my life."
Heather Rosenfield shares a motivational quote from Grandma Betty, "Choose happiness," which serves as a daily reminder to maintain a positive mindset.
Heather Rosenfield (45:52): "You have to remind yourself to choose happiness..."
Conclusion
Laura Vinroot Poole wraps up the episode by highlighting the inspiring journey of Jenny Belushi and Heather Rosenfield. Their story underscores the importance of resilience, complementary partnerships, and a deep connection with community and family.
Laura Vinroopool (50:19): "What we wore is produced by Capitol and Balto Creative Media..."
Notable Quotes:
- Jenny Belushi (45:07): "Life is not a dress rehearsal."
- Heather Rosenfield (45:52): "Choose happiness."
- Heather Rosenfield (09:22): "It gave me a huge amount of perspective... taking a breath, and it'll be okay."
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