Meet Jennifer Sinigal Bell-Cornelius of Born To Roam in Long Beach

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Sinigal Bell-Cornelius.

Jennifer, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
At an early age in life, I realized that I was born to design women’s accessories. I loved vintage shopping and thrifting; as a child, my mother would take me shopping and let me roam around, picking out anything and everything that caught my eye.

Naturally, I was drawn to accessories and quickly discovered the sovereignty of unique garnishes and how each could influence the vibe of any ensemble. Spending hours rummaging and envisioning fashion-forward concepts was utterly supreme. I felt so fulfilled and loved that I was able to express individuality through these vintage pieces.

Being a genuine accessory fiend and an avid vintage collector of belts, I embraced an array of designs and had acquired an array of pieces throughout my geographical and fashion journeys. As my thrifting finds flourished, I noticed a trend of intricately designed belts that were aesthetically great, but poor in quality. This realization drew me to creating high-quality jewelry which, eventually, led to high-quality vintage-inspired belts. With a vast collection of new and experienced fashions, my vintage treasures remained my favored go-to’s.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There have been plenty speed bumps, potholes, and traffic lights throughout my journey of creating Born To Roam. One of the biggest hurdles was finding a manufacturer to produce my designs. I, honestly, did not know where to begin. I only knew how to design/sketch, beyond that I had a lot of work ahead. I did a lot of googling and put foot to pavement, literally.

I am a networker by nature, so I went Downtown Los Angeles and asked around for belt manufacture referrals. It was indeed taxing and tedious yet necessary. It was crucial for me to have an extreme level of comfortability and trust throughout my process. With the resources I accumulated, I eventually was introduced to a local manufacturer that I partnered with and started my collection.

My ultimate goal is to find a cobbler in Africa. It’s no easy task, but I have been on a constant quest to find a manufacturer to produce my designs.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Born To Roam – what should we know?
I provide quality craftsmanship that withstands successive seasons of fashion trends. Creating designs that highlight your unique personality, complement your individual sense of style, and energize the boldness of your beauty. I design and make readily available picture-perfect flattering finishes to enhance or confidently build the unique look you are seeking to achieve.

My goal is to make every woman feel and look her best through fashion-transcending styles, featuring timeless inspirations and high-quality textiles. With an affinity for quality artistry, I strive to carry on these traditions today for continued inspiration in all of my designs, drawing on the feelings of fulfillment and happiness that come with finding the perfect flattering piece to add to my collections.

My promise is to design pieces that are inspirational and attainable. Designs that the women wearing them will feel a connection to, knowing they did not compromise on quality or craftsmanship.

BORN TO ROAM was created with the goal to empower women of all walks of life. I promote women believing in themselves from the perspective of increased self-esteem generates momentous energy.  My core mission is to encourage women everywhere to brazenly maneuver through their journey with courage, confidence, resilience and intention. All awhile remaining unapologetic traveling through life unhindered with purpose.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My husband, Eddie, is the Co-Founder of Born To Roam. He is my biggest advocate and was thrilled with the idea of starting a family business from our initial conversation. Believe it or not, he came up with our name, Born To Roam. We partner perfectly because our outlooks and viewpoints are different when pertaining to business, yet we respect one another’s perspectives.

For example, my personality is a lot like my wardrobe; classic yet innovative, bold, effortless-chic, and unconventional. I am an all-around free-spirit. Eddie, on the other hand, is conservative, conventional, and analytical. I’m so grateful, for his Type A personality because, he is able to oversee parts of Born To Roam while allowing me to focus on creativity. We are a stellar team.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: BornToRoam__
• Facebook: BornToRoamShop
• Other: Pinterest/BornToRoam, Etsy/WeAreBornToRoam

Image Credit:
Just Jerrod of J3 Collection

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