MOMpreneur: n. defined as a female business owner who is actively balancing the role of mom and the role of entrepreneur.
Welcome to our latest installment of MOMpreneur Monday, highlighting businesses and brands that were founded by female entrepreneurs and fellow Mommas!
Today’s featured Modern Boca MOMpreneur is Ginna Tassanelli, Owner & Creator of The Style Rebel Mama and Hype Media!
Tell us a little about your background and why you started your companies…
I was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico and moved to the United States when I was 3 years old. After moving around a few times, we finally settled in Fort Myers, FL. My father opened an engineering firm where I did some administrative work and watched how he ran a business. Looking back on this, I think that naturally gave me confidence in knowing that owning my own business was possible.
I graduated from Florida State University with a bachelor’s degree in both Criminology and Communication Studies intent on continuing to Law School. However, that all changed when I took a job offer from a leading global media and entertainment company. That decision is what led to my career in advertising and marketing.
What happened next?
I gained enough experience in advertising and marketing to want to open my own advertising firm. After a lot of deliberation with my husband, we decided to go for it. However, I soon realized I needed to supplement my income while I was getting my firm off the ground.
A friend of mine happened to tell me about the Premier Designs business, a high fashion jewelry direct sales company. The funny thing is that I didn’t even really wear jewelry! However, it seemed to be an efficient way to bring in the additional income I needed without being away from my family too much.
And it sounds like it worked out?
My motto was: “fake it until you feel it”, a quote I learned from the book, Business Boutique. And, six months into my styling business (a.k.a The Style Rebel Mama), I resigned from my corporate career and launched my boutique advertising agency, HYPE Media.
I took what I had learned as an advertising account executive, including cultivating business relationships, with the objective to help local businesses successfully market their brands and products. What I’ve learned throughout this journey is that there is a need for more passionate service-oriented experts in business.
“I’m there to help them curate their closet and inspire them to elevate their personal style both for business and casual settings in a way where they feel comfortable.”
What exciting things are coming up for your businesses?
As I continue to expand Style Rebel Mama and Hype Media, my goal is to provide exceptional service both on a marketing level and the personal fashion stylist level. I’m excited to begin merging my businesses together so they work hand in hand to help women brand themselves effectively.
What do you love about living and working in South Florida?
As a MOMpreneur in South Florida, I love that we’re able to connect with so many amazing and talented women. Whether it’s a women’s professional networking group like FemCity or a mommy group, you can truly appreciate people’s differences. During our down time, we are total beach bums! I love that I can go to a business meeting in the morning and by the afternoon, grab our swimsuits and flip flops and hit the sand!
Connect with The Style Rebel Mama and Hype Media:
WEBSITE: Ginna Styles HypeMedia
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/stylerebelmama
https://www.facebook.com/gethypemedia