I am excited to bring back the second season of The Low Down and am beyond delighted to present Jennifer Sumko. When I think of the ultimate example of inner and outer beauty, I think of Jennifer. When we first met I was taken back at how incredibly warm and genuine she is towards everyone and her statuesque beauty radiates through everything she does! With an early love of fashion, it is easy to see how she has navigated the production of not one, but two incredible capsule collections for Dillards with Antonio Melani. The best part is that her accolades do not stop there. She is truly a creative visionary who also is an interior design genius. The most impressive thing in my opinion is that she is so authentic and her greatest passion is her family. Not only is she a present mother and wife, but she does it all gracefully while juggling an incredible career. I also would love to highlight that she is a champion of lifting up other women. I have found her advice to not only be inspiring, but you feel like she is one of your biggest cheerleaders. She is truly one of the kindest people I have ever met and I feel honored to call her a friend. Welcome, Jennifer!

1. Please tell me a little bit about yourself. Where are you from, where did you go to college and what did you see yourself becoming when you were younger.

My name is Jennifer Sumko. I grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah. Born and raised I attended the University of Utah with and studied communications and marketing. When I was younger I had many different interests…still do. I think it is a blessing and a curse. I have always loved fashion. I grew up in a home that valued faith, family, friendships, and beauty. This has impacted many of my decisions in my life and career. A dream of mine would have always included a combination of anything creative with a sound voice of being true to who I am. I love design in any form. I have dabbled in photography. taught myself to sew in my late twenties, and love to dabble in interiors with a focus on wallpapers and textiles.

My background in interiors really started young as I was surrounded by a Mother who had a deep love of design and a beautiful layered aesthetic. I have always been drawn to interiors partly because of a deep sense of loving home. I think fashion and interiors really marry well. I have always had a deep passion for clothing/style.

2. How did you come up with idea of Jennifer Sumko Interiors? Did you always want to branch into fashion and how did the collaboration with Dillards happen? Where do you see your brand in another 5 years?

My collaboration with Dillard’s was an incredibly and organic journey that found me….and I found a couple of years ago. It started from social media with a conversation that led to an incredible opportunity to create two collections with the amazing Antonio Melani team. Truly it has been a dream collaborationscome true. I love the Dillard’s brand and everything about the quality that they are focused keenly on. I have met the most incredible people through this experience as well which has been such a highlight.

3. Who has inspired you most and why?

I think my parents. Both of them actually. They were both committed to faith and family anreally taught and loved each of their children beautifully. They were both involved in community and found joy in just being really kind people. They were successful in every thing they did….because of how they measured success. It was always about people…not things for them.

4. What is the best piece of advice you were given? Regarding anything from business to parenting to personal development, etc.?

The best piece of advice is…..small and simple. Take small and simple steps every day to make your dreams come true. Dream big….but it’s all the little things that make the big ones happen. Every failure is a learning and not actually failure.

5. What advice would you give to other women who are running a business and raising children?

Offer yourself grace. Be as kind to yourself as you would be to others. Life is unexpectedespecially with children. Learning to be flexible is helpful and important. Listen to your inner voice and put your blinders on.

6. Is there anything you wish someone had told you along the way?

I think people always tell you life goes really fast. But you don’t always believe them because the days can seem long at times especially with little children. BUT….the time goes really fast.

7. What does work/life balance look like for you?

Work and balance is definitely a tricky balance. I really try to get a lot of work done when my kids are not home and at school….or late at nights when they are sleeping. I think setting boundaries is important. Whether its setting a timer on your phone, or sticking to set goals with family……both I have found to be helpful. But again…knowing that there is no such thing as the perfect balance is most helpful. Letting go of perfectionist views helps me the most when it comes to many things.

8. What are some of your favorite traditions and do you place a priority on certain things?

A favorite tradition recently I have started over the past few years….is taking trips one on one or different outings with individual children. It is amazing to have that special one on one time with each of your children. You really get to know them in a different way and create some really special memories. It doesn’t have to be a big trip…but just some time away individually with each child.

9. How, if ever, do you prioritize your well-being? What are some things that you try to squeeze in on a normal busy day that you feel has impacted your day-to-day life?

I definitely try to find something I can do to be active every single day. And I definitely taketime for meditation/prayer every single day. I don’t know what I would do without either of those things actually. I also love a bit of Vitamin D ……I guess that is partly why I live here in Arizona.

10. What adversity has challenged you the most, yet made you a stronger person?

I feel like we all have adversity. Supporting my husband through medical school starting at age 29 while having four children simultaneously was definitely a time when I/we faced adversity. Not enough hours in the day….exhaustion, financial burdens….etc. really pushed us. I would never have traded the experiences…because when we do hard things our muscles really do become stronger in every way.

11. You meet so many inspiring women every day, how do you feel we can better support the motto of “Women helping Women?”

There are so many ways we can support other women beautifully. I think it starts with understanding that everyone has something to offer and genuinely appreciating other women. We can support by being genuinely kind, interested, and more thoughtful. Even just a simple text, or a smile, or thought of goodness can spread to others. Be kind and support others without an expectation of return. I have had beautiful women examples of this in my life….and it’s a favorite quality you can almost sense immediately in someone.

12. How would you describe your sense of style?

My sense of style….if feminine, classic, and bit of whimsical/eclectic in nature. I love things not quite perfect…because its freeing to me. I can’t feel “too buttoned up” or I feel it thwarts my creative. I always love to feel feminine ….and I love to dress up.

13. What is your favorite splurge or investment “High Bar” piece in your wardrobe?

My favorite splurge item would be probably a pair of Fendi boots I splurged on a few years back. It was an impulsive and somewhat impractical purchase at the time…they are my favorite. I bought them on a special trip…and I am a very nostalgic person…so that might be part of it as well.

14. What is your favorite trendy yet affordable “Side Bar” piece in your wardrobe?

My favorite side bar and affordable pieces are honestly from my fall collection this year. If I could be a jacket…..I really think I would be the Isabella Jacket. A beautiful tweed, quilted, puff sleeve jacket with ties. It is comfortable…so well made….and such a great value piece.

15. What is one thing on your wish list for 2025?

Organizing my “closets” at home and finishing a few house projects I have been plotting and planning for what seems like years.: )