Tina Wells

Family has always been the focal point of Tina Wells’ life. The daughter of a pastor and eldest of six children, Wells, 31, had a steady upbringing that helped prepare her for the fast-paced life of a marketing master. As a teenager, she began writing and submitting reviews of her favorite products, eventually recruiting her friends to do the same, thus launching her career as a trend spotter and arbiter of cool. Today, the South Jersey girl runs Buzz Marketing Group, a multimillion dollar company with more than 9,000 “buzzSpotters” around the globe; sits on the boards of the Philadelphia Orchestra; promotes her book, the latest industry bible, "Chasing Youth Culture and Getting It Right" (Wiley); and studies in a post-baccalaureate program at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business, all while managing to squeeze in some R&R whenever possible.

The multi-hyphenate tells UPTOWN more about about girl power and the 'new luxury' but first, Wells reveals to US why father knows best and her favorite Parisian stops.

REFLECTIONS: Working on currently: Well, we've just launched a brand ambassador program for Mead Five Star, which we're really proud of. We're in the process of launching similar campaigns for Sendthetrend.com and LifeTuner.org (an AARP 20somethings property). I'm writing another book series, and launching a multicultural tween magazine. Phew! * First job: I started Buzz Marketing Group when I was 16, so this has been my only real job for 15 years! Before that, I did write for a newspaper for girls called The New Girl Times, sold magazines (yes, telemarketing!), and did some babysitting. * Advice she would have given herself 10 years ago: Don't be so uptight. I was so young and so consumed with proving myself, I didn't give myself much time for just being a 20something. * Words to live by: Something my dad always says to me: "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." I spend a lot of time making plans, obviously!

DIVERSIONS: Reading now: "The Great Gatsby". All of this buzz around the film completely intrigued me. * Planning to read next: Hill Harper's new book, "The Wealth Cure: Putting Money In Its Place." * Last fun purchase: Brown oxfords from a shop in Paris. * Recently discovered: Le Manoir Cafe in Paris. I could sit there and read all day.

PLAYING FAVORITES: Getaway: Vienna, Austria * Hotel: Hotel Kamp, Helsinki * Entree: Steak frites from Caribou Cafe, Philadelphia * Guilty pleasure: Rose macarons from Laduree in Paris.