WMV: Is the reason your surname is hyphenated because you're married to a Mister Lichauco?
Jena: Oh, no! Not married to a Mister Lichauco at all; that would be very creepy! My mother’s last name is Cruz, and my biological father’s last name is Lichauco, so I decided to keep both last names because, of course, I don’t want to let go of the Cruz, and I like the sound of Lichauco. Sounds like a designer last name! Who knows? If I get married, I might keep my last name!
WMV: Where do you currently reside?
Jena: I currently reside in Orange County! But my hometown will always be The City of Glendale.
WMV: Do you have any brick and mortar shops, and, if so, what are their addresses?
Jena: Hopefully, someday, I will! Right now, I just have my online business, and my place is where I run it.
WMV: What else, if anything, would you like to tell our readers about your parents, siblings, children, significant others, or other friends and relatives?
Jena: I would like to tell all your wonderful readers that my family, friends, and my love are my biggest supporters! And I would like to thank them for everything, and I love them so much!
WMV: Your Facebook indicates that you studied two or three years at F.I.D.M. What does "F.I.D.M." stand for?
Jena: "F.I.D.M." stands for Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising.
WMV: What degrees or certificates did you earn?
Jena: I have earned my A.A. [Associate of Arts Degree] in Merchandise Product Development. Class of 2007, baby!
WMV: It has recently been discovered that approximately twenty-five percent of U.S. residents don't know the Earth revolves around the Sun. Does this surprise you?
Jena: Of course, that surprises me!
WMV: What exactly is Etsy?
Jena: Etsy is a market place, kind of like eBay. People from around the world buy and sell unique goods through Etsy.
WMV: Who is Cymphonique Miller?
Jena: Cymphonique Miller is a talented and beautiful actress, singer, dancer, and writer. She was the star of the hit T.V. show "How to Rock," on Nickelodeon. She is also known as the daughter of Master P, and sister of Lil’ Romeo, who are talented people in the music industry.
WMV: Did you, as well as your fashions, appear in Cymphonique Miller's “Daddy I’m a Rockstar” and "All That" music videos?
Jena: My fashions appeared in both music videos. I designed a one of a kind tutu for Cymphonique; I called it “Forever Unique” which is featured in her “Daddy I’m A Rockstar” video, and for her “All That” music video, she is wearing the “High Heel Chained Sunglasses” I designed.
WMV: What's special about your tutus?
Jena: My tutus are special because they are one-of-a-kind and handmade.
WMV: Your Facebook indicates that you are the founding owner and designer at www.thelashoppeco.com. Are you also the webmistress?
Jena: Yes, I am. I am basically responsible for everything in my online shoppe. Unfortunately, I don’t have the big bucks to hire... Hopefully, someday, I will.
WMV: What exactly does your Mermaid Queen line have to do with mermaids or queens?
Jena: I recently became obsessed with mermaids, so I decided to make a Mermaid Queen line because I’ve seen others use the word "Mermaid," but not "Mermaid Queen" so much; that is why I used “Mermaid Queen”- because it sounds fierce, and I decided to design my line unique looking and something a queen would wear. The seashells and starfish I use, for example, relate to mermaids. I also make mermaid crowns that would relate to a mermaid queen.
WMV: What do you love most about your work?
Jena: What I love most about my work is the love and support I receive from my customers. Just to know people out there are wearing and supporting my designs makes me so happy!
WMV: What is the hardest part of your job?
Jena: I would say that I would love to keep creating all day; sometimes I can’t because I have a full-time, nine-to-five job. I would go to the post office to ship out my orders during my lunch breaks. I would say the hardest part is not having more time.
WMV: Besides designing and marketing fashions, what are your other talents and hobbies?
Jena: Well, I love singing, but I wouldn’t call it a talent - maybe a hobby? I also love listening to music. I think my other talent would be cooking. I love to cook!
WMV: What inspires you?
Jena: A lot of things inspire me. I try my best not to look at magazines for fashion designs because I want my designs to be unique, one of a kind. But, of course, we get inspiration from others! I would say just looking at the street, colors, fabrics - even pictures of mermaids or the beach is what inspires me. The truth is, I am most inspired by stepping out of the computer screen and away from the magazines. I like to design what I am feeling at "the moment," with different trims and fabrics around me.
WMV: What upcoming projects will you be working on?
Jena: I will be collaborating with a Pop/R-and-B, female group called Gifted Nations - talented photographers, make-up artists, hair stylists, and another designers from the industry. It is going to be epic. I can’t wait. Of course, I am always open to collab with anyone in the industry.
WMV: What are your career goals?
Jena: My career goals are to get as many experiences in the Fashion Industry - meet new people, and, someday, open up my own boutique store called “The L.A. Shoppe.”
WMV: How should potential employees and investors contact you?
Jena: They should contact me through my website
www.thelashoppeco.com
or email me direct at
jena@thelashoppeco.com.
WMV: What exactly are "high heel chained sunglasses"?
Jena: High Heel Chained Sunglasses is a design I came up with a while back. It is basically sunglasses with chains on them, and a high heel hanging... I decided to make it simple and call it what it is: “High Heel Chained Sunglasses.”
WMV: What flowers do you prefer to receive?
Jena: Red or pink roses - they are my favorite.
WMV: New York is currently offering businesses ten years tax free to start up in New York. Are you tempted?
Jena: Anytime a small business can obtain a financial advantage, it should always be considered. However, you need a good amount of starting capital, and the cost of living would be greater than Los Angeles. But the real reason is that I love Los Angeles, and that is one of the reasons why I put “L.A.” in The L.A. Shoppe.
WMV: What web links would you like to share?
Jena: My shop of course!
www.thelashoppeco.com
and please follow/like my social media links:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thelashoppe
Twitter: @thelashoppe
Instagram: @thelashoppe
WMV: How do you intend to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day this year?
Jena: I don’t usually celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day, but I do intend to wear something green so I don’t get pinched!
Interview by William Mortensen Vaughan
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