Raise Her Up: Jennifer Mehalko

The What

From interior design to instructing fitness across the city and now a full-time clothing designer - you have had a few career shifts over the years. How have you been able to have three such different and successful careers at a young age?

Over the years, these loves of mine have organically woven together. Initially, movement brought me balance + solace from a demanding design career + then I realized I could not have one without the other. PARTS + LABOR, in fact, was born from the two things I love the most … the PARTS: intentional, tangible things + the LABOR: the effort + the heart-work that goes into CREATING a life worth loving. My schedule is, to this day, full to the brim with creating intentionally - whether that is interiors, garments, movement classes or community … I have learned from missteps + failures + am STILL honing my awareness for what direction feels best to travel next.

How do you blend your passions and career into your everyday life?

With a willingness to shake shit up every day + loosen my grip on the ‘9-5’ I put in the time where it’s needed most + carve time with + for the things that fuel me. The connections; friendships + relationships you hold whether personal or professional will adjust + grow organically + accordingly.

What is something someone would be surprised to hear about you?

I have tackled just under 30 moves in my life time … all over the world.

What’s next for Parts + Labor? What is next for you personally?

Global creative take-over!! HA! I am in the midst of phasing out my current freelance design company + will be launching a new division of P+L called ENVIRONMENTS by Parts + Labor in early 2020 that will capture my passion for curating incredible spaces!! We also have a new fashion collection in the works with capsule launches happening early fall + HOLIDAY!

Personally - I am up in here just practicing LIFE. Taking the time EVERYDAY to check in with myself in the here + now + navigate from there with what I need + what I have to give. Often times we operate from a place of lack + a need to fill the spaces + the voids with SOMETHING - I am learning to LOVE these voids + spaces in between …. realizing that the space for me creates a BIGGER, fuller life. In this process of un-hustling I am finding time for personal growth in places where I need it most!

In your eyes, what has been your biggest setback? How did you overcome?

Mistaking one moment in life as THE defining thing in my life. Confusing that only one thing defined me, which essentially limited me to moving forward in everything in life. I walked away from a business partnership that wasn’t meant to be … I thought that was IT, but then realized that it was always meant to be a stepping stone to something bigger for me. Overcoming this was + still is, allowing myself the space to heal + get still enough to listen + feel for what I need next. If I am not fuelling my own desires, how can I possibly be of service to others?!