We were lucky to catch up with Jennifer Chevchek recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Jennifer, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
Resilience is something I’ve inherited, shaped by my upbringing and the women who have inspired me, particularly my mother. I grew up in a small town in eastern Washington, a place with a unique mix of scientists and farmers, with a history tied to the production of plutonium for the nuclear bomb. My parents, both immigrants with English as their second language, embodied ambition and determination in everything they did. Their grit and work ethic deeply influenced me.
When my mother passed in 2023, I spent a lot of time reflecting on her early years and the strength she carried with her throughout life. Raised by her grandmother, a well-educated socialite in the Philippines, my mom learned the art of grace and resilience early on. She taught me how to navigate life with positivity, confidence, and a sense of self-worth. I vividly remember an incident when I was a child, coming home from school with my brother and mom. A car screeched into our driveway, and a woman shouted hateful words at us. It was the first time I truly felt “different,” but my mom, unfazed, calmly took us inside and explained that people might try to bring us down, but we should never let their negativity affect our spirit.
My mother’s resilience was evident again when she survived breast cancer three times. I was in grade school when she was first diagnosed, and I saw firsthand how she fought through sickness, physical weakness, and the toll the disease took on her body. But she never stopped being a mother, a wife, or a business owner. She showed me that life’s challenges should never define you, and that we always have the power to move forward, no matter the hardship.
In 2022, I began my own breast cancer journey. As I was still going through chemo in 2023, my mother was battling cancer for the fourth time. It felt incredibly unfair to be going through this while my mom, who had always been my rock, was also fighting for her life. But even in those moments of fear and uncertainty, I leaned into the lessons my mom had taught me—about strength, perseverance, and not letting circumstances define who we are.
By 2024, after emerging from my own battle with cancer, I found myself at a crossroads, needing to shift careers. I could have easily stayed in a leadership role at another company, but instead, I saw an opportunity to take control of my future. I started sourcing and curating preloved luxury handbags, a business born out of necessity but also serendipity. I was determined that my cancer journey would not hold me back; instead, it pushed me to grow and create something new.
When people tell me they admire my resilience, I think of my mother and the lessons she taught me. Resilience isn’t just about surviving; it’s about thriving despite the obstacles, and choosing to move forward even when life feels impossible.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I launched my preloved luxury resale brand, The–Procurement, last May. It’s been such a fun journey, and it’s something I’ve been passionate about since I was a kid. When I was younger I would style fashion shows from the hand-me-downs in my closet that came from my sister. I would dress my cousin, brother and myself in Bennetton and Esprit. I’ve always been that person who’s into personal style, and one of my favorite pastimes in high school was going to thrift stores to find the perfectly lived-in Levi’s 501s, denim jackets, and flannels. My girlfriends and I would do it just for fun. I loved fashion, but I especially loved the thrill of the hunt! On the flip side, my mom was a classy lady who loved her designer handbags. I have vivid memories of Gucci and Louis Vuitton woven into my life growing up. Sourcing and curating preloved luxury handbags just feels so natural and satisfying to me.
I’ve learned a lot over the past 8 months and have been pinching pennies wherever I can. It’s been a while since I’ve had to live like this, especially coming from the corporate world for the last decade. I originally sourced from Europe, where I thought I was getting good deals, but recently I’ve established business partners in Japan, and I think this will be key in taking my brand to the next level. I focus on selecting pieces that are either timeless classics—like the Louis Vuitton Speedy or vintage Chanel chain bags—or styles that are currently trending in fashion, whether it’s through shape, color, fabric, etc. My 20+ years in fashion have definitely helped me develop the personal branding behind my company. I’ve also started doing consignment, which is great for keeping the inventory fresh.
When I first launched, I was doing live selling, but I decided to put that on hold until my viewership grows. I plan to do more monthly drops with live previews for followers. I’m really focused on making this the thing I can retire doing.
Please follow me on IG!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Your answer has great insight and authenticity, and I’ve made a few edits to make it flow more smoothly while keeping your voice intact. Here’s the proofread version:
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I’m still learning as I go, but looking back, I think the qualities that have been most impactful in my journey so far are my resourcefulness, my experience with brand creative, and my passion for trends. Being resourceful has helped me build solid business partnerships in Japan—it’s been a lot of connecting with people, trial and error, and doing tons of research. I also have a clear vision of who my customer is and what they’re looking for. I focus on curating pieces that are great for street style, while positioning my brand to be more accessible to everyone. I truly believe that everyone deserves high-quality, luxury products, and if I can sell someone their first Louis Vuitton handbag, I’m thrilled to be part of that experience!
Paying attention to what’s trending also helps keep inventory moving. By analyzing my selling history, I’ve developed a good sense of what to bring into my store.
My advice for anyone starting their own journey is to figure out what your aesthetic is – it’s good to not look like everyone else – who your target customer is, and stay true to that. Everything you create should reflect those core elements!
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Your answer is clear, but I’ve refined it to make it more polished and professional, while still keeping your tone approachable. Here’s the revised version:
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I am always open to partnerships and collaborations on various levels. One opportunity I’m particularly excited about is creating shop-in-shop experiences with select retail stores. If you’re a retailer looking to diversify your offerings with curated, exclusive pieces, I’d love to collaborate. Whether it’s men’s or women’s items, my collection of specially sourced luxury goods can bring a unique and elevated selection to your retail floor.
Additionally, I offer personalized sourcing for private clients, including some of the most coveted Hermes products like Birkins and Kellys. Whether you’re a private customer, a celebrity, or a retailer seeking these iconic pieces, I can provide access to extraordinary luxury items.
For fashion influencers, I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating during NY Fashion Week and would love to expand that reach to upcoming events in Copenhagen, Paris, and Milan. If you’re interested in collaborating, please feel free to reach out—I’m always eager to work with like-minded professionals in the fashion and luxury space.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.the-procurement.com
- Instagram: @_the_procurement
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferwannarachue/
Image Credits
All photos (except the one of me at the popup) by Suzie Reecer.
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
