For over twenty years, my world was high-level corporate leadership. I know exactly what it feels like to prepare to speak to an auditorium filled with thousands of people, or to walk into a high-stakes boardroom looking for that perfect piece of “curated armor” to feel entirely bulletproof. Back then, fashion wasn’t a hobby - it was my presence. But walking through standard, mass-produced retail spaces, everything felt thin, repetitive, and completely devoid of personality. I couldn’t find the structural quality or the distinct statement I was looking for.

I always had the burning heart of an entrepreneur, a desire to apply the high standards I looked for—but could never find—to a brand of my own. So, I traded the boardroom for the endless excitement of the hunt.

But my real education in style did not happen in corporate offices; it happened decades ago on shopping trips. I learned the art of the deal from my mother, who could spot a high-quality piece hidden on a crowded clearance rack from a mile away. And I inherited my eye for true curation from my grandmother, who left a legacy of beautiful, heavy vintage costume jewelry perfectly displayed.

Today, I combine my executive eye for excellence with a lifetime of treasure hunting to build Cool Era Vintage Co.