Happy August! This month our feature is a woman named Geneviève Lima. Geneviève is a mother and entrepreneur living in Ottawa. She shares with us some insight on what it’s like starting and running your own business, her passions, what she’s watching and of course, what it means to her, to be Pretty and Smart.
Without further ado please meet Geneviève Lima …
Name or nickname if you have one:
My name is Geneviève but some call me Gen, Genny & Vi
Zodiac sign:
Capricorn
What is your relationship to P&S Co.?
I know the co-founder Ana through my husband, she’s lovely.
Where do you live and what do you do?
I live in Ottawa, Canada and I am the owner and CEO of émanuel.le.
émanuel.le is an online Canadian children’s boutique that carries the coolest brands and hottest trends from around the world. The online store provides an array of fresh style solutions, accessories and gift ideas for little girls & boys NB-8 years old.
émanuel.le is the one stop shop for the fashion-conscious customer who does not have to sacrifice on quality. You will find curated kids fashion at affordable prices. We’re a small hand picked team that work very hard to make sure our customers are happy, satisfied and promptly assisted with inquiries.
Overall what is it like being an entrepreneur?
Being an entrepreneur is a rollercoaster of challenges, adventure, risk and reward.
What is your dream career/career goal or ambition?
My dream career has always been in fashion or interior design. I’d also love to open a really cool boutique. The plans are all in my head! Prior to the pandemic, I was opening my first store in Trainyards but decided to pullout after the second wave hit. Maybe it will become a new reality one day.
What inspired you to take the plunge and start émanuel.le.?
My daughters! After the birth of my first daughter, it was clear that fashion had my heart but that she ruled it. It was apparent to me that there was a lack of “on trend” kids clothing that stood out but that also stood for something. From this, I created my children’s boutique and brought to fruition what I believed to be void in the market.
Can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
From humble beginnings, I started selling children’s clothing by purchasing small quantities from International factories. I would store them in the front entrance closet in my home and sold out of the trunk of my car. My main clientele at the time were friends and family and that expanded through word of mouth.
Two part question – what is the single hardest and single most rewarding thing about being an entrepreneur?
I believe that the hardest thing about being an entrepreneur is having a strict schedule to allow for a healthy work/life balance. It’s extremely hard to do it all and stay on top of it all in both your business and personal life unless you learn how to make proper use of both times efficiently. The most rewarding thing for me is when I go to events (big and small) and see multiple kids rocking émanuel.le.
What makes you feel Pretty and Smart, what does it mean to you?
What makes me feel Pretty and Smart is when I handle really difficult challenges in life with grace. Its easier said than done at times but when I master this I feel my best! Especially when I put myself in other’s shoes to fully make sense of scenarios and situations that occur. It has given me a better understanding and helps me pause before reacting to things. I find self control and grace to be beautiful in my eyes and something I work at daily. It’s a conundrum of external and mental strength! In my opinion, a combination of a good heart, faith and putting in the elbow grease is what it means to be pretty and smart!
One piece of advice to your younger self:
Id tell my younger self to take the time to really invest and observe what sets MY heart on fire. Pay attention to who and what makes ME happy and move closer towards those things.
Who would you say is your biggest role model or icon (fashion, career, fitness, personal or otherwise):
I would say that its a balance between Pat Bet David, one of my pastors and my mom!
What you’re reading/watching/listening to:
I’m currently reading Unf#!* yourself. I also love a good Netflix series. My last two series were Money Heist and Schitts creek both amazing for their own separate reasons! On the hunt for a new goodie right now!
*Side note Schitts Creek is currently on Taylor’s late summer watch list linked here*
Favourite thing in your closet right now?
Flared denim & Jumpsuits
Where is your favourite place to be in the world?
I love the vibe in Laguna California a lot. Miami also has my heart!
What would you tell younger women looking to become entrepreneurs, that you might not have followed yourself?
Do nothing, nothing happens. Some scenarios might seem intimidating or impossible at first but unless you just go for it full force you’ll always wonder what the outcome could have been.
Best word to describe you and why?
Happy, Ambitious, Organized, Generous & Balanced
Favourite quote?
Timing is everything I also love “It’s all the small pieces that make the big picture.”
What are your summer 2021 food and drinks of choice?
I absolutely LOVE tacos! I could eat them every day and I’m really into spicy margaritas on ice right now.
Where can people find you online? What is your handle?
What is one thing I didn’t ask but you want people to know about you?
I’m extremely passionate about animal rights and their welfare. I have a big place in my heart reserved for animals and will use my voice for them always & forever!
Thank you to Geneviève for being our Pretty and Smart Co. feature this month. We hope you got to know her and take some time to check out her shop. If there are any questions you have for Geneviève please feel free to write them in the comments below.
Also stay tuned for an upcoming giveaway. You’ll have a chance to win a giftcard to émanuel.le check out our instagram page and stay tuned for details.
