INTERVIEW
HEART TO HEART
INNER-VIEW Although there are many parts that make up the sister trio and owners of My Sister’s Closet, they all agree that at this time in their lives, fun is an important ingredient/ part of their everyday lives.
THE FUN SISTERS! ANN SINNER TESS LOO
The two sisters I inner-viewed Ann Siner and Tess Loo are beautiful, charming and oh so smart, yet so different from each other. Ann is the analytical numbers crunching partner and Tess is the creative visualizer. Tess is hands on with all the displays and themes in all 14 stores. Both very hardworking women who make up a successful duo. The third sister, Jennifer lives in San Diego running the stores there. They have 14 locations for My Sister’s Closet which has grown over 28 years. Additionally, they have a charitable location where all leftover items are donated to various organizations totaling over $485,000 this year. They spoke of their mother who was an inspiration and example in their young lives. She lost an arm in a car accident at 17 years of age and raised her family, opened a successful gift store and started a kindergarten in their home town, all in the early sixties. One of the things they attribute to their success is their high standards for their customers and staff alike. People who sell their possessions in their stores are made to feel important, as well as the people who buy those items.
They strive to raise the height bar every day. They believe that loving what you do is most important. Hard work and perseverance are critical yet can only be sustained by a passion for what you do. This was also encouraged by their mother who emphasized that pleasing others was not as important as celebrating who you are. They also learned to be independent and survive regardless of the adversity. And through it they learned to make good choices. Tess says, “Always work putting your best foot forward with grace, kindness and humility. Practice love and if you mess it up, do it again!” Ann says, “I’ve had an incredibly lucky life and I worked for it! Things are not handed to you!” She also says, “Always do your best and love what you do!” When asked what Ann’s mantra is today, she said, “I want a tee shirt that says, ‘I’d rather be drinking wine and rescuing dogs!’”Which by the ways she does also and was honored by the Humane Society for her many, many hours of support, devotion and service.
Barbara Kaplan
www.BarbarasPicks.com
34
For a peek into the personal life of Ann Siner and Tess Loo, go to our You Tube Channel “Trends Magazine”
Photos by Scott Sandler