What’s In: Jeanelle Teves

On family, meaningful jewellery and her incredible work ethic.

What’s in is a recurring series spotlighting the style and stories of Asian women with influence. Get to know who they are, what they’re wearing and what’s in.

Welcome to the first edition of What’s in! I couldn’t be more excited for our first profile.

Jeanelle Teves is the Chief Commercial Officer for Bugaboo, a content creator and mom of two based in New York City. From sharing tools on balancing a career and family to outfit formulas, daily routines and tips for self-development, her Instagram account (@jeanelleteves) is a source of inspiration for everyday working moms.

Read on to learn more about Jeanelle, how her family has shaped who she is today, her favourite pieces to wear and what drives her.

Tell us a bit about yourself and what you do.

I am a corporate executive, content creator and mom of two. My full-time role is the Chief Commercial Officer at Bugaboo, the Dutch design juvenile brands company best known for their premium strollers.

Where are you from? How has your family and culture shaped who you are today?

I am a first-generation Filipina, born and raised in Sacramento, California. My parents are from Manila (my mother) and Leyte (my father). So much of who I am today is thanks to the Filipino values that my parents raised me with.

Perhaps the most impactful is the importance of family and the example of work ethic. As a young girl, I dreamed of having an international career and have manifested that as an adult. I’ve lived in four countries and two continents, but the only way I was able to pursue this was knowing that my family always had my back and that with determination, I could accomplish anything.

How would you describe your personal style and approach to getting dressed? What are some of your favourite pieces to wear?

My personal style has been heavily influenced by living for nearly a decade in the Netherlands. I love structured, clean lines and a ‘less is more’ approach. My favorite pieces are the daily jewelry I wear from the women in my life. My watch from my late grandmother and bracelet from my mom are both family pieces that I treasure greatly.

What’s one item you can’t live without?

The rings that I wear are all very special to me for different reasons—but when my grandmother passed away, I inherited her old jewelry. I remade one of her rings into a more modern style and someday will gift it to my daughter.

As a New Yorker, where are some of your favourite places to eat/shop/visit?

Eat - Carriage House, owned by my good friend Chef Jordan Andino, another ambassador of Filipino culture.

Shop - I don’t do too much shopping nowadays! With New York space, I am really intentional about what makes it into my closet.

Visit - My brother, @onlinecarlo, a brand marketer and sneaker connector, just moved to Brooklyn after living on the other side of the country, so I am spending more time with him there.

What’s in right now for you? Whether it has to do with fashion, beauty, wellness, hobbies, books, podcasts, other media you’re consuming, etc.?

The first hour of my day, I use that time intentionally to consumer knowledge. The brain is just waking up and I am conscious about not filling that with social media or the news. I read a few pages of a non-fiction book and listen to a favorite podcast. Right now, I am reading Brave Thinking by Mary Morrissey.

You’re such a great source of inspiration for women looking for advice on self-development, motherhood, and their careers. What drives you?

My future self—I never want to look back and feel like I missed out on my life by being complacent or worrying what others think. I wake up motivated to try to be the best mom I can be, fully present with my family in the time I have. Going for my professional and personal goals. Spending time with my parents. Of course, I have hard days just like everyone else, and during those times, I turn to the tools I share on Instagram.

For more on Jeanelle, follow her on Instagram (@jeanelleteves) and read her recent feature on Cup of Jo’s A Week of Outfits (loved this!)