Meet Nicole Denny

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Denny.

Hi Nicole, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Prior to owning J’Adore, I taught school for many years in California. While I enjoyed teaching it was not fulfilling in many ways. My passion for teaching had waned and I was unsatisfied. Around that time, I also came to realize my marriage was not healthy and unless it changed I would have to get out. Six years ago, my husband at the time, was offered a job in North Carolina. We moved knowing it would help us get ahead financially and allow me to stay at home to raise our children.

Our marriage was strained before the move but we believed with less stress we could heal the relationship and keep the family unit intact. Unfortunately, the movie did not improve our marriage. I was home raising kids in a new state with no friends or family. I felt alone, isolated, and full of despair. I decided it would be good for me to get out of the house and pick up a part-time job as an outlet. Picking up coffee one morning at La Farm, I noticed the consignment boutique, ADORE.

I had always loved fashion since I was a young girl. I briefly tried modeling in San Francisco and became fascinated by designers and fashion design. I browsed the shop impressed with the inventory and struck up a conversation with the manager. She mentioned they were hiring and I was quick to apply for the job. Over time, I developed close relationships with the women at the boutique and enjoyed my job. Watching my marriage fail I knew I needed to find a way to support myself and teaching was not going to pay the bills nor make me happy. I moved out of the family home into a small apartment and spent a lot of time worrying and wondering what I would do.

I decided I loved working in the consignment business and I could start my own. I wrote a business plan approached a bank and was funded. Nancy, the owner of ADORE and friend approached me with the idea of possibly partnering or even buying ADORE. I ended up buying ADORE and went to work quickly branding it as my own and up fitting the interior. I had a vision. I was enthusiastic, I felt that passion again. That vision came together. I continue to push and try to grow the business. This opportunity has not only provided me a way to financially support myself and my kids but it has also given me my identity and purpose back.

Owning J’Adore has empowered me. Upon leaving my marriage, my self-esteem had taken a beating. I believed I was incapable, could not take care of myself on my own, and would fail at anything I attempted. It was a big leap of faith to take on my own business. J’Adore’s success over the years has reminded me of who I was before my marriage collapsed; smart, motivated, and tenacious. I am fortunate I was given the opportunity to reinvent myself as a business owner. I love what I do.

I hope my story shows there is hope and you can restart your life and find happiness.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Owning J’Adore has not always been easy. Of course, just acquiring the funding was a challenge in itself. And then after, many challenges presented as the business has grown. With growth, the business attracted more attention.

Although more exposure has meant more sales, attention has not always been positive. Credit card fraud has been passed off, and we have had robberies. Each experience taught a lesson and we tightened security and put better business practices in place. Of course, Covid majorly impacted us.

We were forced to shutter for many months and then dealt with dismal sales upon reopening. I found loans and applied for PPPs. We weathered the storm of Covid and again I learned of my ability to persevere through adversity. Sales improved over time and J’Adore started showing growth again.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
J’Adore specializes in high-end consignments. We sell women’s clothing, shoes, jewelry, and handbags. All our merchandise is gently used or even new for a fraction of the price of retail. Recently, we have also started carrying some men’s accessories.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: jadore.fashion