“Life-fulfilling work is never about the money — when you feel true passion for something, you instinctively find ways to nurture it.” —Eileen Fisher, fashion designer
Over the past few years I’ve had the opportunity to interview female entrepreneurs who’ve founded their own business both large and small. From beauty and wellness, to fashion and lifestyle, food and home brands, having the opportunity to get an inside look into what inspired these women to start their own businesses from the ground up, the importance of maintaining the balance of work and friendship and their words of advice for women who dream of founding their own brand has been a constant source of inspiration.
In this post I’m sharing just a few of the brands that I’ve had the chance to share about here on the blog, and I hope you’ll enjoy the little reintroduction to a few of my favorites from over the years as well as a few new ones that I’ve shared about recently.
Beauty/Wellness
Divya Gugnani & Lindsay Ellingson (Wander Beauty)
When Divya Gugnani (entrepreneur and mom of two) and Lindsay Ellingson (jet-setting supermodel) decided that they needed to streamline their makeup routines, they worked together to co-found the award winning beauty brand, Wander Beauty. From luxurious eye masks that you can put on while you’re applying the rest of your makeup, to mascaras that will give you full eyelashes with the perfect amount of curl, Wander Beauty is all about less is more when it comes to what you tote around in your makeup bag. Made with the finest (and cruelty free) ingredients, this is a beauty brand that should be your ultimate go-to.
Curious about which products are my favorites?
Everything You Need for a Facial at Home
Switching to Airplane Mode Has Never Been This Fun
Hilma
I first learned about Hilma during my search for a natural alternative for tension relief. Migraines are something I’ve been dealing with for years, and after having a series of severe migraines, I knew that I didn’t want to rely on typical OTC medications that often caused more trouble than providing any true relief… that’s when I found out about Hilma and their Tension Relief supplement. It’s one of four supplements that founders Lily Galef, Nina Mullen and Hilary Quartner worked with physicians to create and they are absolute game-changers when it comes to updating your medicine cabinet.
Just in case you haven’t heard the good news yet, I recently became an ambassador for Hilma, so I have a code for 20% off your first order with the code: AVIDPEN20 Curious about what product to try first? I recently shared my review of The Essentials Kit.
Shannon Vaughn (Pursoma)
“The company really came out of me working through a health crisis. Part of the homeopathic treatments and remedies that the doctor put me on was detox bathing. Detox bathing is a way of sweating and detoxifying from environmental toxicity which had caused me to have some issue. After I was completed the bath treatment, I was having positive residual affects that were promising. As a person who had been struggling with anxiety the treatment helped me to sleep better, to relax and left me with less tension.” — Shannon Vaughn
Bethany McDaniel (Primally Pure)
“I dealt with sensitive, acne-prone skin for most of my teenage years and well into young-adulthood. I tried every mainstream product you could imagine, many of which offered short-lived results but didn’t truly make a difference in the health of my skin. It wasn’t until after I discovered the power of eating real food that I purged my bathroom cabinet of toxic skincare products and began formulating my own replacements made with real, recognizable ingredients. Much to my surprise, the products I made actually worked better than the dozens I had tried in the past. My acne cleared up and my skin felt (and looked) better than it ever had! But most importantly, I enjoyed using them. I started selling my creations on my family farm’s website and a few months later I started a website of my own. Today, I have a team of 23 and we work out of a beautiful office/warehouse space in sunny Southern California.” — Bethany McDaniel
Learn more about Primally Pure
Spring Clean Your Daily Routine
Meet Your New Favorite Lip Balms
I’ve been a long time affiliate for Primally Pure, and you can get 10% off your order with my personal code: THEAVIDPEN10 Need a suggestion? I recommend The Starter Kit.
Fashion/Lifestyle
Sarah Flint (Sarah Flint NYC)
In 2013 at just 25 years old, Sarah Flint founded a shoe brand that would revolutionize how we look at luxury footwear. Sarah, a graduate of FIT who interned with Diane von Furstenberg and Proenza Schouler studied the technical side of shoe making in Milan with Richard Siccardi who has worked with several of luxury footwear’s most recognizable names. Sarah Flint’s shoes marry luxury with comfort and her Natalie flat is quickly becoming known as one of the most comfortable shoes on the market.
Need Styling Tips?
3 Ways to Step into Spring with Sarah Flint
Get $50 off your first shoe order from Sarah Flint with the code: SARAHFLINT-BACHRISTA
Ali Kaminetsky (Modern Picnic)
In 2018, Ali Kaminetsky, founded Modern Picnic, the company who is bring the chic back into bringing your lunch to work. After all just because you’re being budget conscious by bringing your lunch into the office each day doesn’t mean that you can’t do it in style!
How to Style/What I’m Pack for Lunch
How to Style Your Modern Picnic Lunchbox for the Office
What I Pack in My Modern Picnic Luncher
Love the Tote, Luncher or Snacker? Get 15% off your order with the code: CHRISTA15
Sara Banks (SteamLine Luggage)
When planning for your next vacation, consider taking a journey back to the golden age of travel with SteamLine Luggage. Founded by Sara Banks, the Dublin-based brand has brought the vintage look into the modern age with handmade cases that fuse fashion with functionality. With collections such as The Artiste, The Entrepreneur and The Sweetheart there is a collection that will fit the personal style of any woman (or man) who wants to travel in style from their wardrobe to the luggage they bring along for their travels.
Sara founded SteamLine Luggage to fulfill the need of stylish women everywhere, and in just one year after she created her initial designs, SteamLine luggage was made available for purchase, and each collection (with the exception of a collaboration) is designed from start to finish by Sara herself.
Tarik Koivisto (Luxe Provence)
It’s time to travel to Provence where Tarik Koivisto, the founder of Luxe Provence a brand known for it’s effortlessly chic dresses that are meant for walking through fields of sunflowers and lavender or strolling through the grounds of a beautiful chateau garden.
The brand recently collaborated with the Varvel family who own the beautifully restored 18th century farmhouse known as Mas des Poiriers just outside of Avignon. In this interview Tarik shares us about how she came up with the idea for her brand, Luxe Provence, along with an inside look at what goes into creating a collaborative collection.
Damaris Bailey (Damaris Bailey)
Inspiration behind the Primevera Collection — “That collection was inspired by Italy, by Capri actually. It was designed around the idea of going on vacation to Capri and what would she wear if she was there. I always design around this fantasy figure of a woman. If she was on a movie set, what would she be wearing. Movies are my biggest inspiration. Where would she go to dinner? What sites would she visit? She would have to casual pieces and elevated pieces. Every season I like to see where she would be holidaying at.” — Damaris Bailey
Tiffany Custard (T. Marie Designs)
I love a good statement earring, and if you do too, look no further than T. Marie Designs. Atlanta based jewelry artist Tiffany Custard creates all of her one (or two) of a kind designs herself using only the finest materials. She recently released her latest line just in time for the autumn season featuring a neutral palette that will blend with all of your dresses throughout the upcoming season.
Food
Aishwarya Iyr (Brightland)
I love introducing female founded brands to my readers here on The Avid Pen, and today I have a special treat for you. I’m sure many of you have seen Brightland Co. olive oils via Instagram and on various feeds of foodies and content creators, and in today’s interview, Founder and CEO Aishwarya Iyr is giving an inside look into everything Brightland.
One of the many things I love about the Brightland is that the olives are not only grown and produced right here in the US but they also add the perfect touch of flavor to even the simplest of dishes. In this interview Aishwarya shares not only about when she first came up with the idea for the brand, but also her favorite ways to pair each of the Brightland’s five olive oils and how as a founder she is working towards giving back to the communities around her.
Erin Ridley (PRMRY)
“Having lived a decade in Spain, and having married a Spaniard, olive oil has become an inevitable part of my culinary world. I remember the first time I went down to Andalucía (the world’s olive oil epicenter) and my husband prepared me a breakfast of pan con tomate (toast with tomato and olive oil) — it was eye-opening, and soon became a breakfast mainstay for me (I seriously have toast with olive oil every single day, and I look forward to it every morning!).
After my early days in Spain, I began to get more deeply involved with olive oil, particularly when I did a brief stint working for a short-lived olive oil start-up in Madrid. Then, a couple years later, I decided that I wanted to study wine, but, since I was pregnant at the time, I decided to sign up for an olive oil program instead. From there, I began to write about olive oil news for Olive Oil Times (a real thing, I swear!), which allowed me an even deeper knowledge of extra virgin, and also helped me to get more connected with the industry, both in Spain and here in California.” — Erin Ridley
Home
Liz Eichholz and Lindsey Johnson (Weezie Towels)
I love the opportunity to share an inside look into a brand with the founders themselves, and today I’m sharing a recent interview with the co-founders of Weezie Towels, Liz Eichholz and Lindsey Johnson. As you’ll soon find out, Liz and Lindsey were friends before they founded Weezie Towels in October 2018. Having just celebrated their one year anniversary, I’m looking forward to seeing where this brand will go in future. While Weezie Towels is currently based in two cities (NYC & Savannah) the brand will be relocating their NYC offices to another well known Southern city, Atlanta.
Charlotte Reiss (Vivi et Margot)
Vivi et Margot is a French Housewares brand that I first heard about through Instagram. The online brocante is owned by Charlotte Reiss who is mother to Vivienne and Margot (the namesakes of the brand.)
Previously based out of Charleston, South Carolina, Charlotte and her family will be making their home in France full time.
Read more about Vivi et Margot.
Ajiri Aki (Madame de la Maison)
Do you dream of the day when you can host dinner parties for family and friends? Does the thought of vintage porcelain fill you with excitement? Then you will love this interview with Ajiri Aki, the founder and owner of Madame de la Maison. Ajiri’s love for vintage porcelain led her to create her brand where you can buy or rent beautiful pieces that she’s discovered at brocantes and markets around France as well as her own line of sustainable linens.
Ajiri began her career in the fashion industry working with notable fashion brands and co-authored Where’s Karl? A Fashion Forward Parody with Stacey Caldwell. Her work has also been featured in Vogue, Domino and she is also one of the innovative women in Lindsey Tramuta’s latest book, The New Parisienne (starting on pg. 96).
Lauren Haskell (Lo Home)
If you’re looking for an Instagram feed filled with beautiful home accents, look no further than Lauren Haskell Designs. Lauren Haskell is the founder of Lo Home, a home decor website that features everything from ceramic products, (Lauren’s ginger jars are available as lamps too) and hardware to pillows, rugs and various accents to make your home every bit as beautiful as you’ve always dreamed it could be.
Lauren has always been an artist and a ‘maker’ who loves seeing her designs brought to life. You’ll learn more about Lauren and Lo Home in this interview, including the fact that product design is her favorite part of the process. Lauren & Lo Home not only strives to bring beauty to your home, but also to remain a completely sustainable brand.
Amanda Lindroth (Amanda Lindroth)
It’s clear to see how much Amanda Lindroth’s growing up years in Palm Beach, Florida and living in her adopted home of Nassau have influenced her namesake brand the moment you step foot into the shop on Charleston’s King Street or venture onto the online shop. Prior to founding her own namesake brand, Amanda worked for WWD and W Magazine as well as in PR for luxury brands in New York, Paris and London.
The woven tablecloths, rattan trays, wrapped hurricane glasses and brilliant colors will have you feeling more like you are on island time, and bring an air of simplicity and sophistication to your intimate gatherings with family and friends.
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