A new beginning
The global impact of Covid in the early months of 2020 was both unexpected and unimaginable.
For retail store owners in New Jersey like Gina Stempler, the “shelter in place” directive was both a personal and professional disaster. But sometimes a tragic event is a blessing in disguise.
After seven years as co-owner of a local brick-and-mortar boutique, this 50-year-old entrepreneur reinvented herself as a mobile business catering to the needs of women who were busy juggling careers and families often leaving precious little time for self-care.
As online shopping became an embedded concept, and especially after the pandemic took hold, Gina drew upon her years of experience in the lingerie industry and formed Bra Mobile, a convenient service for women of all shapes and sizes.
Using a clever play on words, she chose to emphasize the mobility of her new personal shopping business, drawing a whimsical parallel to other businesses that visit customers on site, like Munchmobile, Barkbus Mobile and many others.
The name drew attention and helped Gina identify an untapped niche market, giving her a fresh start with a unique at-home platform that is unlike any other personal service.
Why she does what she does
Driven by a strong desire to minimize stress and assist busy women by meeting them in the privacy of their homes or their place of business, delivering a wide variety of options and leveraging her experience as an expert bra fitter, Gina is prepared to enable women to achieve the best fit possible, addressing every individual nuance that comes with the territory.
Gina envisions a revolution in the industry where there would be not more lingerie manufacturers but more trained fitters with working knowledge of the vast array of styles and sizes already in existence.
She believes the disconnect is not in the lack of available great options, but in the lack of trained fitters who can steer women in the right direction, helping them invest in a bra wardrobe that serves them well, that is both flattering and as comfortable as possible, affording them better posture, improved self-esteem and overall confidence.
Since her key feature is mobility, Gina has attracted a global audience. She often gets calls from women around the world seeking her advice.
While logistics prohibit her from visiting every customer, she does occasionally conduct virtual “house calls” offering expert advice and guidance across the miles.
In every instance, Gina is doing what she loves best, helping women become more comfortable and self-assured.
Practical advice
Gina offers the following advice on proper care:
- Rotate your bras daily
- Wash when needed, not necessarily after every wear
- Use a bra bag and a gentle cycle or soak in a small sink or basin
- Never ever put your bras in the dryer
- Gently fold soft bras and stack molded or padded styles to prevent damage
As the retail landscape evolved, Gina adapted — and learned valuable lessons along the way.
- If you have a vision to revolutionize an industry or sector, go for it!
- Don’t be overwhelmed or discouraged, and remember effecting change can be a slow process.
- First, formulate a solid plan based on your mission; next, build a stalwart team and heed their advice and guidance.
- Discuss the “what if” scenarios early in the process so that you are prepared for addressing unforeseen obstacles and taking advantage of great opportunities that may come your way.
- Be bold and have confidence in yourself and your competencies and be open to new ideas!
To learn more, visit bramobile.com.
