We were lucky to catch up with Illyne Ganley recently and have shared our conversation below.

Illyne, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?

By far the best decision that I ever made with regards to my work life was taking a risk, starting my own business, and becoming my own boss. Working for yourself requires a lot of self motivation, resilience, creativity, and the ability to pivot and collaborate, all qualities that I always felt pretty confident in so working for myself suits me. I’ve been very fortunate in that I’ve always had jobs that I’ve loved and have always worked with people who have inspired me, however there is nothing, in my opinion, quite like the feeling of being able to translate the vision and concept that’s in your mind into a reality for others to value and appreciate. Once I started working for myself, I quickly realized that there would be no turning back, no matter how may hours a week I need to work. The joy that I feel from being creative and the freedom that I have by making my own rules fill my soul to the brim. As long as I have a choice, I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Illyne, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Prior to opening my boutique, I worked for Frederic Fekkai for 13 fun and fabulous years. This experience shaped me in so many ways and I attribute so much of my professionalism, my drive, my style, and my business knowledge to that part of my life. At some point, I just knew that I wanted more. I had a vision of opening a boutique that included all of the things that I love – home, unique products, jewelry, hair, special events and great music. It was more about a vibe, an experience, an ambiance, and a feeling that I wanted to share. I wanted to spark joy! My business goal was simple, to make people feel happy and inspired. It started out as a little seed of an idea in my brain and over time snowballed into something that I just couldn’t stop thinking about. I knew it was something that I had to pursue and make concrete. I opened my doors in October of 2006. As of today, I have taken over more space but have been in the same location for 19 years. The shop, what’s inside of if and what we do is constantly evolving as I do, At this moment, we carry jewelry, both fine and fashion by some of the best designers in the business, we have an entire gallery wall filled with original art in vintage frames, pottery, home and personal fragrance, and home accessories. We offer services such as ear piercing, a hair artist that comes in from New York City (from my days at Frederic Fekkai), and a brow artist (also from my Fekkai days). Lastly, we host special events such as jewelry trunk shows where you get to meet the jewelry designer and view and shop their entire collection.
I’m proud that I was able to make this little idea in my head come to fruition but mostly I’m proud of the warm and empowering community that we have cultivated. That goes for all of the amazing and talented artists that I work with to all of the smart, warm and vibrant people that walk through my door, most of whom have become dear friends to me. They are the best and the most valuable part of this creation. I feel very blessed.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

After being in business for 15 years in the same location, I felt like I needed a change, a refresh, both for myself and for the business. My boutique had evolved and changed so much since I first opened it doors in 2006 and I also felt a deep seeded desire for a new creative venture. When I started by business in 2006, I named it beautylounge. At that time it was very beauty heavy focusing on hair and makeup services along with products to go along with that, hence the name. Over those 15 years, as the shop morphed and grew, I knew that the name didn’t fit what we were anymore and I could be losing potential new customers that wouldn’t be aware, from the name, of all the other things that we have and do. I spent two years, on and off, trying to decide next steps. Was it simply a name change, a new location, an additional shop? I had a two year long list of ideas and names on a note in my phone until one day, in 2021, on top of a mountain in Utah, it came to me like a bolt of lightening. My Love Story. That was it. A new name that said it all and meant everything. That’s what my boutique has been to me. It has grown and changed along with me though the years and holds everything and everyone that I love. It gives me joy and fills my soul. And so the rebranding and a new creative project began. A new logo, new colors inside and out, new products, and a gallery walled filled with art. It also came with new customers and new collaborations. I consider it one of the best business decisions I made in my 19 years!

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

I consider myself so incredibly fortunate and proud that everyone that works with me has worked with me since day one! My advice on managing a team and maintaining a high morale is to treat your employees as if they were your partners. Pay them well. Take care of them. Respect their opinions and value their work. Lead by example. Treat them with respect. Be nice! In my experience, if you do this they will take care of you and treat your business as if it was their own.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mylovestorynj.com
• Instagram: mylovestory.nj