Aubrey and Arnel Parreno: A family business grows in Queens

By Maricar CP Hampton

In the heart of Queens, New York, an entrepreneurial couple with a shared background in military service has built a business they vow is rooted in “love for family, fashion, and community.”

Meet Aubrey (née Tolentino) and Arnel Parreno, the achievers behind NYCLUXE and Gabriella Aubrey Jewelry, two thriving brands offering luxury pre-loved bags and fine gold jewelry. Theirs has been a journey of “courage, resilience, and purpose.”

Eureka moment

It all started when an aunt gifted Aubrey a few high-end handbags.

“I checked the quality of the leather. Out of curiosity, I tried shining one with shoe polish, and it turned out even more beautiful. That small moment lit a spark,” her eureka moment.

“I love jewelry and purses,” Aubrey said with a shy smile. “Women are always searching for the perfect bag, something that fits their lifestyle.”

She remembers those early days when she became a mom. “I naturally preferred bigger bags that could carry everything my kids needed. Back then, I used to love small purses, but priorities change.”

She saw something promising in the luxury leather resale market. What started as a personal passion for brands like Hermès, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci soon became an international venture that would take her from the U.S. to Japan and Dubai.

Bonding over business

Even before they became a couple, Arnel saw the fire in Aubrey’s eyes when she talked about her business ideas and her plans to expand them.

“Before we got together, she was already selling designer bags online,” he shared proudly. “She always had that entrepreneurial spark.”

They met in 2016 through a mutual friend, also a former PMA cadet, when Aubrey visited California. She was already selling through Facebook, gaining traction, and building her customer community. That meeting blossomed into marriage. Today, they have two beautiful daughters: Gabriella Aubrey, 3, and Daniella Aubrey, 1.   

Their ventures veered beyond luxury merchandise. The desire to help others led them to establish Aubrey Totcare Inc., a placement agency for baby nurses, nannies, and caregivers. However, the pandemic and all the lockdown restrictions put a pause on the agency.

“We had to shift focus,” Aubrey explained. “But I made sure to keep in touch with clients. That’s when I started doing live selling directly from Japan.”

Military roots, civilian dreams

Aubrey’s journey began in San Luis, Aurora, coming from a family of public servants. In 2002, she became one of the few female cadets at the Philippine Military Academy.

“I was expected to become a pilot—my father, who was then a politician, wanted that for me,” she recalled. “But deep down, I knew military life wasn’t for me.”

Leaving the academy wasn’t easy. She faced criticism and judgment from people close to her, including relatives and friends. “It was a painful time that tested my strength,” she admitted.

She trekked a different path, earning a degree in Entrepreneurial Management while working as a staff member for Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. at Camp Aguinaldo.

Arnel, a licensed mechanical engineer from Mapúa University, experienced a major turning point in his career in 2010 while working as a municipal employee in Dubai. A seminar by American Safety Management in the U.S. he attended opened doors to new possibilities. He joined the U.S. Navy, where he served faithfully for 15 years. He started as a construction mechanic and later became a career counselor, until a knee surgery led to his early retirement.  Today, he’s back in school, using his veteran benefits to pursue a master’s degree in Business Administration with an eye on growing their business even more.

Gabriella Aubrey Jewelry: A Legacy in Gold

Aubrey’s venture into jewelry came naturally. As she scaled up her handbag business, she noticed something interesting. Many of her buyers also wanted gold or diamond jewelry to go with their purses.

Sensing an opportunity, she started sourcing jewelry from international factories. Eventually, she built a reliable network of resellers, offering them high-quality inventory at competitive prices. Thus, Gabriella Aubrey Jewelry named after their first daughter was born. The brand focuses on heirloom-quality pieces and matching mother-and-daughter jewelry.

“Many buyers choose pieces they know can be passed on to their daughters,” Aubrey said. “It’s jewelry with purpose—an investment, a keepsake, and a legacy.”

“We chose luxury gold, diamonds, bags because there’s always real value behind them,” Aubrey explained.

“Gold and diamonds are not just beautiful; they’re investments. They carry cash value.”

“Designer bags, on the other hand, are works of art,” she added. “They tell stories, they’re functional, and many even go up in value over time. It’s a practical luxury.”

A store of their own

Today, NYCLUXE and Gabriella Aubrey Jewelry operate out of their Queens storefront at 39-10 63rd St., Woodside, New York, a testament to how far this solid team has come. Arnel handles the financials and operations, while Aubrey leads the day-to-day hustle.

Their message to thosethinking of starting a business? “Take the risk,” Arnel said. “Learn as you go. Don’t overthink.”

Adds Aubrey: “Challenges will come, but stay positive. Keep learning new skills, and most of all, don’t give up.”