'A Cuppa With' is F&E's ongoing Q&A series with women entrepreneurs we admire. Pour yourself a cuppa and join us!
LIZZIE MEANS DUPLANTIS & SARAH MEANS
Co-Founders of Miron Crosby
"As ranch kids, we were raised in boots, and when we both moved to NYC after school, we wanted cowboy boots that were more fashion-forward and contemporary."
MEREDITH PECK
Creative Director, Co-Founder of oo-mi
"The beauty of vintage, worn, and aged clothing lies in the story that it carries. That feeling of a piece that fits your body perfectly is how I know it's the one."
LEANNE CITRONE
Recipe Developer, Founder of UDEA Wellness
"We really believe that taking the time to nourish yourself is a powerful act of self-love."
SUSIE MATHESON & CHRISTY FORD
Co-Founders of The Scout Guide
"Who needs big cities when we have the best local business owners and artisans front and center in the smaller cities we scout."
STEPHANIE SUMMERSON HALL
Founder and CEO of Estelle Colored Glass
"My grandmother instilled in me the importance of curating beautiful and unique pieces that make entertaining exciting and memorable for guests."
SHUBHANGI RANA
Frank & Eileen Fellow at MIT Sloan '24
"I firmly believe that it's integral for businesses to have a societal and environmental impact as part of their business strategy."
SHARON MROZINSKI
Designer, Antique Dealer, Co-Owner of Marston House
"I trust my heart completely and never question it. If I’m not in love with something, I don’t buy it, and I’ve always been intuitive to my own particular needs."
CRISTINA PALOMO NELSON & MEGAN PAPAY
Co-Founders of FRĒDA SALVADOR
"We met while working on the design team for another footwear company and would often travel to Italy together for work, spending long dinners with (too much) wine, dreaming of FRĒDA."
JORDAN SHAW
Innkeeper, Chef, Co-Owner of Seven Lakes Inn
"If you want something badly enough, you will make it happen, but getting clear about your reason for committing to that next big move will make stepping out of your comfort zone a little less scary."
KATE FLYNN
Founder and CEO of Sun & Swell
"As a consultant in the food industry, I was always at the office or on the road and consistently found myself looking for simple, healthy, sustainable snacks to fuel me throughout the day—but I could never find any."
ELLEN MARIE BENNETT
Co-Founder and Chief Brand Officer of Hedley & Bennett
"To get something started, you have to use your imagination, but for a business to really evolve, you also need to rely on facts and data to support the work."
MARJORIE TAYLOR & KENDALL SMITH FRANCHINI
Co-Founders of The Cook's Atelier
"We jumped feet-first into founding The Cook’s Atelier in 2008 with the intention of creating a special place that supports the connection between the farmer and the cook..."
DOMINIQUE MILES
MBA Candidate at Babson College, F&E Scholarship Recipient
"My hope, both during my MBA and after, is to continue to extend conversations and demystify industries for folks who simply haven’t been exposed."
CAITLIN FLEMMING
Founder of Caitlin Flemming Design
"After working for a designer for a year, I made the leap and started my own firm. I have loved every minute of the adventures of design."
CARLY BLUMBERG
Designer and Founder of Carly Home
"I got into design because an environment can transform a person's life. It can inspire and create happiness, which has always been compelling to me."
WHITNEY LEIGH MORRIS
Small Space Consultant and Designer
"I’m interested in so many creative fields — from photography and editing, to writing, to designing — that I wanted a profession that allowed me to explore all those interests daily."
JOHANNA VENTE & FIONA BURR
Co-Founders of Saffron + Poe, Interior Designers
"For us, having a very compatible friendship and a strong partnership was key. It is so helpful to have someone as invested in the business as you are to bounce ideas, divide and conquer with."
GEN SOHR
Founder of Pencil & Paper Co.
"Surround yourself with women who will build you up, mentor you, challenge you, and be there to celebrate the wins and help soften the losses."
VALERIE RICE
Cookbook Author, Master Gardener, Entertaining Expert
"As my daughters have gotten older, I’ve been able to explore new career challenges. You must be willing to try different things until you find the one that works best."
APRIL GARGIULO
Founder of Vintner's Daughter
"I wanted to build a true luxury skincare company that made products from the finest ingredients in the world."
AUDREY MCLOGHLIN
Founder and CEO of Frank & Eileen
"When I started Frank & Eileen, I put my head down and focused on building the kind of company and brand that I wanted to see in the world. It was a long, slow, organic build with no investors."