After leading field organizations, primarily in apparel, for more than 35 years, Ann Marie Supinski decided to take the leap and open her own shop. “I loved making clients feel as good on the inside as they did on the outside with looks I helped them choose,” says Supinski.
“I also felt there was an opportunity in the Lehigh Valley for a boutique where the sophisticated woman could shop a unique curated collection of apparel and accessories.” She says her passion for fashion has never waned, and AM Luxe is her vision come to life.
Along the way, Supinski says the most important lesson she learned was to believe in herself: “As women, we often are focused on what we can do better instead of embracing what makes us unique and special.” She's learned to be confident in her talent and remembers that doing so does not make her arrogant. In an industry where executive positions are primarily led by men, Supinski realized she had to be vocal when she knew how to drive success. “I often thought everyone knows what to do, so would not always speak up,” she says.
At her shop, women support women, and Supinski could not be prouder of that. “I love the community of women that are clients of AM Luxe and now friends to me,” she says.
“We celebrate, we laugh, we cry, knowing we are a community of women that will be there for each other.” And nothing is more rewarding to her than the smile on a client's face when they leave her store and she knows their day is better because they stopped in. Supinski loves being part of the Bethlehem community. “It is so rewarding to work, volunteer, socialize and support this community.”
When asked her advice for young, aspiring entrepreneurs, Supinski says: “Do not let fear be your compass. Failure will happen to some degree. Your ability to pivot and adapt is the true measure of success. Stay focused on the end game. There will be good days and bad. Don't hang your success on a day. Embrace the journey.”
Looking ahead, she plans to continue to expand AM Luxe's curated collection to meet the lifestyle of the client. Last year, the store even added men's apparel to its offerings.
Published as "Voices of the Valley" in the November 2022 edition of Lehigh Valley Style magazine.
