Syosset Grad Taps Entrepreneurial Spirit

It all started out on eBay.

A young but eager 13-year-old entrepreneur was quietly earning a reputation with her store, fixing computers for friends and selling them online for a profit.

“I had a small following – and I was kind of a computer geek in middle school,” said Jessica Robyn, a 2003 graduate. "I was always taking things apart and putting them back together."

Robyn, now 25 and far from a computer geek, is living her dream running her own successful online and retail clothing store, Apparel Addiction. But the path to success was far from easy.

Despite her inexperience as a youngsteer, Robyn built a strong following based on the feedback she’d receive from members, getting high grades for her fast and reliable service.

Robyn eventually met someone on eBay who had a connection with the Juicy-Couture clothing line, and they emailed her and asked if she wanted to sell some suits. At just 14, she was well on her way.

“It worked out well, things were definitely starting to develop,” Robyn said.

When eBay starting charging high fees for sellers, she adapted to the change and built her own website – ShopJLK.com – which would later transform into Apparel Addiction.

Sometimes life throws you curveballs, and Robyn has seen a few. Diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, a rare form of childhood cancer, at the age of three months, with chemotherapy treatments beginning at 12 months, Robyn's parents were told by doctors that she had little chance to survive in the short term.

“Back then it was like a death sentence,” Robyn said of the diagnosis. She had two tumors removed as an infant, and still goes every year for checkups. She said she has seen some long-term side effects from the chemo, ranging from heart abnormalities, hormone inbalances, and the possibility of infertility, but she "remains positive."

Though she was home schooled for most of her high school years, Robyn aced her regents exams at  to graduate on time. After graduating from Florida State University in just 2 ½ years, Robyn focused on the website, which sells popular name brand clothes but also Robyn’s own line of clothing and jewelry.

Her first venture into retail in 2007 didn’t work out – she had some difference with her business partner at the time – and the recession definitely took it’s toll. But that did not even compare to another curveball in 2008.

Robyn said she learned that her dad, who served as her bookkeeper at the time, had stolen more than $250,000 from her and the business. She no longer speaks to him, and thought about suing but ultimately decided against it. 

“At first I didn’t know what to do,” Robyn said. “It was hard, but I managed to pay off the debt in two years.”

A core group of friends have helped her the past few years.

Among those friends is Lauren Falcone, her manager and assistant, as well as other girls from Apparel Addiction that have been at her side.

"Just from knowing her - it's unbelievable where we're at now," said Falcone, a friend since '99. "She's so dedicated and she's a workaholic."

Robyn "trusts all of them," and despite a few bumps in the road, the future looks bright. Retail stores in Garden City and Bellmore are "doing great," while a third store in Rockville Centre is planned.

The website continues to increase in traffic each month, and Robyn has started doing fashion shows at night clubs to show off the clothing line. So far names such as Kendra Wilkinson have been seen wearing her clothing.

While the original idea for the shows was to promote the clothes, Robyn now does numerous charity events to raise money for childhood cancer research.

“I’ve learned you can do anything you set your mind to,” Robyn said. “That no matter how bad things get or how terrible they may seem, there are always ways to overcome it.”

For more on Apparel Addiction, please visit their website and "like" them on Facebook.