HERE ARE 7 BELLA BOSSES WE ADMIRE…
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Carol-Ann Carrington
Location: New Jersey
Title: Founder
Business/Brand/Company: Kickerfeast Gourmet Pancake & Waffle Mix
Website: www.Kickerfeast.com
MY BUSINESS:
Kickerfeast Gourmet Pancake & Waffle Mix is the trade name of Colorful Eats, a small, woman-owned business that was created coincidentally. Kickerfeast creates fruit and vegetable-based pancake & waffle mixes that are quite unique — made with 100% fruit or 100% vegetable powder. Launched in four flavors; carrot, blueberry, beet and pumpkin, each mix when blended with water highlights the natural colors and flavors of the fruit or vegetable it represents. Kickerfeast fruit and vegetable-based pancake & waffle mixes were created to assist parents and others in preparing healthier options for their kids and families disguised with natural vibrant colors and flavors.
IN THE BEGINNING:
Kickerfeast was an accidental venture. My business idea was generated in 2018 when I asked my then nine-year-old son to drink some freshly made carrot juice; a challenge I often encountered as a parent, while preparing healthy meals for my son. My son declined but requested pancakes for breakfast. A lightbulb moment initiated, so I blended some of the carrot juice with the pancake mix and gave my son the carrot pancakes which he gobbled up and politely asked for more. At that moment, I realized that a niche exists in the marketplace which can be bridged by utilizing the natural flavors of fruits and vegetables within a comfort food. Approximately two years later, after intense research, trial and error, following the Food & Drug Administration guidelines and working with a co-packer, Kickerfeast was launched on Shopify.
MOST REWARDING:
Launching Kickerfeast was a feeling of jubilation, a moment to see an idea become a reality. It was and continue to be a challenging venture but transitioning from my comfort zone to a journey of entrepreneurship has been informative and educational. The learning process is never dormant.
SECRET TO MY SUCCESS:
There is no secret on my part. Timing is a pivotal role in deciding when to transition. Additionally, being industrious, committed, consistent, and connecting with knowledgeable people who are directly related to your industry or who understand the requirements within your industry are essential towards a successful journey.
Kimberly Smith Spacek
Location: New York, NY
Business/Brand/Company: United States of Camo
Title: CEO/Founder
Website: https://unitedstatesofcamo.com/
MY BUSINESS:
Seeing a need and wanting to help, I launched the United States of Camo with the express purpose of creating a vehicle to make ongoing donations to Veteran mental health service organizations. As the daughter of an Air Force Colonel and the niece of a Tuskegee airman, I saw the need up close and wanted to do my part to help.
IN THE BEGINNING:
One of the main reasons I founded the United States of Camo brand was to give back to those who keep me and my family safe. Through research, I realized support for Veterans’mental health initiatives was lacking and decided to work with various veterans charities that support our soldiers and their families. With a nod to the traditional military camo, I developed this unique camo print that features all 50 states in a wide variety of colors.
MOST REWARDING:
Our mission at the United States of Camo is to bring awareness to the mental health issues that plague our Veterans and to raise money to help them get the support they deserve. I donate 10% of all sales to mental health organizations that support US military Veterans.
SECRET TO MY SUCCESS:
Utilizing the platform of the retail industry has provided me with the ability to create a new collection that everyone loves and supports Veterans at the same time.
Orianne Collins
Location: Miami, Florida
Business/Brand/Company: OC Jewelllery & Spa
Title: Founder
Website: www.oriannecollins.com
MY BUSINESS:
OC Jewelllery is a collection of unique, hand-made pieces made in Switzerland, U.S. and Italy, and influenced by my heritage and travels around the world studying various cultures and craftsmanship techniques. The jewelry conveys a modern sensibility and timeless elegance, and is shaped from 18-carat gold and adorned with the most beautiful precious stones and diamonds. All pieces are customizable and range from luxury pieces to affordable staples.
IN THE BEGINNING:
I have always had an underlying passion for design, and I collaborated with Van Cleef & Arpels and Cartier on a charm bracelet and some necklaces, as well as some pieces for Bédat and Co, a jewelry and watchmaker in Switzerland. I loved the work but wanted to create my own designs, so I founded OC Jewelllery in 2007. In 2008, I opened three OC concept stores in Saint-Tropez and Courchevel in France and New York City on Madison Avenue, and from there, the brand continued to grow. In 2017, I opened an OC concept store pop-up in Miami, and the following year, debuted the flagship store OC Jewelllery & Spa in the city’s renowned Miami Design District. Today, OC Jewellery spans 16 collections ranging from luxury pieces to affordable staples, including men’s and children’s lines. I’ve expanded into OC Home and OC Spa collections, with plans to launch OC Cosmetics in 2021.
MOST REWARDING:
My children, I am very lucky to have three beautiful sons, all very talented and passionate in their own fields. One is a drummer, one a soccer player and one is a driver. They are very well-educated and are real gentlemen! But the most rewarding is that they are very down to earth and humble with beautiful souls.
SECRET TO MY SUCCESS:
Never give up and stay focused. Respect each other, help those in need and be nice to one another. Be a badass with a good ass!
Sara Alter
Location: Greenwich, CT
Business/Brand/Company: Moment Consulting
Title: Veteran entrepreneur, business coach, certified life coach, and Founder of Moment Consulting
Website: https://moment-consulting.com/
MY BUSINESS:
MOMENT (MOM/ENTrepreneur) is a business consultancy providing coaching services and resources to mom entrepreneurs in the early stages of business development. Our goal at Moment is to turn ambitious, career focused moms into confident entrepreneurs. With the dual responsibilities of growing a business and running a household, moms barely have enough time to finish a hot cup of coffee let alone learn the ins and outs of entrepreneurship and brand building. With that in mind, our services are customized to focus on the specific areas of business that require the most attention to get the biggest results.
Through a combination of mentorship and done-for-you deliverables, we focus on marketing, messaging, branding and growth strategy to provide the insight and education to build brands that sell and the tools and resources to sustain profitable, buzz-worthy business for years to come.
IN THE BEGINNING:
I started my first business when I was 19 years old, making personalized memory quilts. I continued this business throughout college which eventually helped to inspire my next business, Pretty Please Nail Polish, a first-to-market personalized nail polish brand, which I launched in 2010. I then began consulting for female-owned businesses in 2013, but narrowed my niche to work primarily with mom entrepreneurs in 2019, when I founded Moment Consulting, providing resources, education, and mentorship to help busy moms create, build and scale small businesses.
MOST REWARDING:
After becoming a mom, I understood the value of having a career and something to focus on outside of motherhood. It was beneficial to my mental health, well-being and it made me a better mother and partner. Having a part in creating that outlet and independence for other mothers is incredibly humbling and inspiring.
SECRET TO MY SUCCESS:
Ha, there is no secret, I share it all on Instagram and with my clients! But I can attribute my success to the idea that no failure or bump in the road is the end of my story – it’s all a part of the bigger plot. There will always be highs and lows in entrepreneurship and understanding that allows me to embrace the lows because I know a high is right around the corner.
Emilie Bridon & Erika Takeuchi
Location: Seattle, WA
Business/Brand/Company: TROVE
Title: Founders
Website: www.hello-trove.com
MY BUSINESS:
We’re Emilie and Erika, best friends who have traveled to over 17 countries and 91 cities together (yes, we counted!). We created TROVE, an original subscription and gift box, to bring authentic experiences and cultural traditions from around the world to people’s homes while supporting small businesses around the world. Each TROVE box features a new city, and includes LIVE online experiences hosted by local experts paired with locally sourced foods and other goodies. Our mission is to support small businesses around the world, and 20% of our profits to go our featured chefs and artisans.
IN THE BEGINNING:
Being French (Emilie) and Japanese-American (Erika), exploring new places, appreciating different cultures, and getting outside our comfort zone is intertwined with who we are and our own personal growth. Emilie recalls hopping on the plane with her brother solo, passports in hand to visit their families in France every Summer starting when she was 6 years old. Erika, a fourth-generation Japanese-American, remembers how her childhood was a mix of Japanese tradition and suburban America: we’d have meatloaf and rice for dinner, and we made origami Santa’s at Christmas time.
MOST REWARDING:
It’s been incredible to see how TROVE is already making a difference in our chefs and artisan’s lives. When COVID-19 hit and travel was shut down, a lot of those small business owners who rely 100% on visitors lost their core income. Through TROVE, the chefs and artisans we’ve partnered with have been able to find new ways to flourish during these difficult times. A few of our favorite stories: Our Florence Chef was able to pay her children’s school tuition, our Kyoto Chef built confidence with virtual classes and is continuing them, and our Tea Expert in Kyoto was inspired to offer a matcha subscription with live classes in Japan. These are the stories that make our heart happy. We also love seeing friends and families use TROVE as a way to stay connected and learn something new together.
SECRET TO MY SUCCESS:
Be willing to take risks and be open to feedback!
Barbara Biddle
Location: DC and Virginia
Business/Brand/Company: District Hemp Botanicals
Title: Founder
Website: DistrictHempStore.com
MY BUSINESS:
District Hemp Botanicals is the DC area’s most trusted CBD wellness retailer. We have three brick-and-mortar retail locations and a robust ecommerce site. Our mission is to provide our customers with deeply knowledgeable guidance about the ways that CBD can support their health and wellness needs. Many of our products are made by independent small local businesses and all are third-party tested and carefully vetted by our team.
IN THE BEGINNING:
I discovered my passion for CBD while battling postpartum depression after the birth of my son. CBD helped me overcome depression and I knew it could help others. I’ve spent the past three years learning everything I can about CBD, cannabis, and the health and wellness benefits of plant medicine so that I can impart that knowledge to my staff and customers.
MOST REWARDING:
Helping people of all ages and from all walks of life get the relief they are looking for. This year, I’m also very focused on bringing greater awareness to mental health issues and the stigma surrounding such issues as addiction and depression.
SECRET TO MY SUCCESS:
Hard work, an amazing team, the ability to see the best in others, and compassion.
Emily Landsman
Location: Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Business/Brand/Company: della terra shoes
Title: Founder & CEO
Website: www.dellaterrashoes.com
MY BUSINESS:
We are a women-led, sustainable, ethical and inclusive footwear brand focused on creating real shoes for real people. della terra offers a fresh-take on what is missing from your closet, without asking you to compromise style, comfort or your values.
IN THE BEGINNING:
I thought it was impossible. After designing shoes for other brands for 16 years, I thought it was too big of a task to launch a line, and impossible to create a successful fashion brand that also took into account sustainability and inclusivity alongside fashion and comfort. Although I loved designing shoes for fashion brands, I couldn’t’t help but feel I was contributing to an industry that was all about asking my busy, impressive customer to compromise their productive lives to accommodate fashion.
Last spring while I was recovering from Covid-19, I began to fantasize about what was missing from my own closet and I suddenly could articulate it, not just as a need of my own, but in something that was genuinely missing from the marketplace. I began sketching those very shoes, and della terra was born.
MOST REWARDING:
della terra is all about empowering people. We are inspired by our customers and want to provide them the products they need. I am incredibly grateful for the support my friends, family and network have shown as we build this innovative product. It has been overwhelming to see the interest in the line. This was just an idea and it has been incredibly rewarding to watch it come to life, and I cannot wait to share it!
SECRET TO MY SUCCESS:
I keep working and every day I get a little closer to my goal. It is important to balance that drive and hard work with making time for sleep, wellness and my family. Take it all seriously and do the work, but then remember that it’s just shoes and keep it in perspective. Also, breathing is super useful. Maintaining this balance makes me a better designer and person.
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