Tanya Nachbar

Hi! Tell us about you!

I’m originally from Ukraine, and the name of my store, SESTRA, means “sister” in Ukrainian, so community and connection are very personal to me.

I also run another fashion business that I started from scratch 14 years ago, and today we exclusively represent seven European brands in the US.

I’m a mom, an entrepreneur, and someone whose life works best when four things are in balance: family, friends, nature, and culture. If one starts slipping, I feel it quickly. I joined this community because I’d love more real connections with strong women who are building meaningful things.

Tell us about your business.

SESTRA is a European-inspired women's boutique in Short Hills, with an online store for those of us who shop in pajamas after putting kids to bed (no judgment). SESTRA exists for women who want beautiful, wearable pieces that feel elegant, comfortable, and true to who they are. I curate clothing with a focus on quality and that relaxed yet confident sense of style that European fashion does so well. But what I'm most proud of isn't the inventory - it's the atmosphere. Boutiques can be intimidating, and getting dressed for a meaningful event can feel oddly overwhelming. I've built SESTRA to be the opposite of that: warm, calm, and completely pressure-free. I genuinely love helping women find pieces that feel like "them", and often what I steer someone away from matters just as much as what they take home. My biggest hope? That more women give themselves permission to enjoy style in everyday life, not just for special occasions. You're not vain for wanting to look beautiful. You're just fully showing up. I'd love to connect with this community and cheer each other on!

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Ukraine - a country that has shown the world what it truly means to have heart, resilience, and an unbreakable sense of identity. Ukrainians don't just endure - we create, we build, we show up for each other. That spirit is woven into everything I do at SESTRA, and it's part of why community means so much to me.

What's a proud moment in your business journey?

Realizing that my husband and I have been running two businesses together, and somehow still genuinely like each other. Turns out we make a better team than either of us expected - which, if you know any entrepreneurial couples, you'll understand is no small thing.

What have you learned about yourself since becoming an entrepreneur?

That I am a much better editor than I thought - of clothing, of noise, and of people who drain my energy.

What are 5 words that describe what you do?

Welcoming · Curated · Elegant · Effortless · Empowering

What are 3 things that contribute to a successful work day?

A solid plan, a good cup of tea, and not being too hard on yourself when it doesn't go perfectly.

What's your go-to celebration meal when you hit a milestone?

A glass of champagne!

Paint us a picture of your business journey in five words.

Pivot, pivot, pivot, pivot, repeat

Best biz book/podcast you’d recommend

Silicon Valley Girl

A quote you live by

Inconvenience is an adventure wrongly perceived.

Do you have a favorite local store or business that you wish more people knew about?

Perla restaurant, Gather