I just wanted to write a quick note about how I
came up with the name, "J'aime la vie by Victoria
Antoinette"~
For some, this name was a bit
confusing, and then others think I am Victoria. A lot of thought went into this
name; so let me share with you how it all came about.
In Jan 2009 I took a position as a corporate event
planner. Prior to this I have worked in advertising and the mortgage
industries. However, with this last position I wore many hats. On top of
handling every single aspect of the event planning, I headed the marketing,
scheduling, and compliance needs for the company as well. Needless to say I
worked hard, often, and in the end the job was not personally rewarding.
For some time I had wanted to start my own venture,
but what that venture was going to be was something I struggled with. There are
so many challenges when starting a business, a lot of it boils down to plain
old fear. Nonetheless, it literally hit me this past summer when I was getting
scolded for the millionth time from my boss, because I had to take a morning
off to take my little one to the doctor I needed a career where not only did I
set the pace, but that I could do with my physical ailments and with my two
kids. I also needed to start a company that would help other moms like me that
are busy with work, family, and life in general! A mommy and baby concierge
that not only would help new mothers, but us veteran moms as well.
I have already gone in detail about what my
business is in other blogs (read them if you haven't) but this is about the
name.
My mother was "Victoria"
and is my daughter Ella's middle name. She passed away from cancer in November
2007. Not only was she my mother, but a best friend and my biggest fan. My
mother was supportive with any crazy idea or venture I wanted to tackle (even
when she knew they wouldn't work). My mother used to say that she raised all of
her kids to be someone she would adore as a friend, not just her child and I
loved her dearly for that.
"Antoinette" was my
maternal grandmother, and Antoinette is my middle name. My grandmother was a
tiny little thing and so strikingly beautiful all the way into her 80's! Maybe
it was the era she grew up in, or the Estee Lauder creams she swore by (that I
use), but I swear she barely had a wrinkle or blemish on her face EVER!
Antoinette spoke with eloquence, and walked with grace- however like me, she
spoke her mind when she saw fit. My grandmother passed away in Jan 1997 after
living with us for 3 years. She had breast cancer and a full mastectomy in her
50's (if I remember correctly), she suffered heart issues and was diagnosed
with Alzheimer's in her 70's. This woman raised my mother on her own with the
help of family after my grandfather left her during World War II, she was 8
months pregnant with my mom at the time.
I could not think of a better way to pay tribute to
these two powerful mothers, then to name my mommy & baby concierge after
them. Since their names are French I decided to continue on with the French
theme... "J'aime la vie" means I love life, and what
could be more true when it comes to children!
So alas!!! The name was born, "Jaime la vie by Victoria
Antoinette"- a mommy & bébé concierge
Stephanie Antoinette~
