sHeroes: A conversation with Jennifer Matthews and Julia Au, twin sisters and co-founders of…

The article introduces Alli Webb, the founder of the successful blowout salon chain Drybar, and her latest venture, Becket and Quill, a jewelry line. This interview, part of a 'Female Founder Friday' series, delves into Webb's entrepreneurial journey, her motivations for venturing into the jewelry business, and the lessons she has learned throughout her career. Webb discusses the unexpected origins of Becket and Quill, which began when she discovered the designs of Meredith Quill through a friend and was impressed by the quality and affordability of the jewelry. She proactively reached out to Quill and partnered with her to develop the brand, focusing on aspects like naming, website development, public relations, and packaging to elevate the new business. A key differentiator for Becket and Quill, as highlighted by Webb, is its use of gold fill over gold plated materials. She explains that gold fill contains significantly more layers of gold than gold plating, making it more durable, resistant to tarnishing, and virtually indistinguishable from solid gold in appearance, all while being a fraction of the cost. This allows customers to purchase high-quality, fashionable jewelry at accessible price points, enabling them to change their pieces more frequently without guilt. Webb, who personally enjoys wearing a variety of jewelry, appreciates this aspect, noting that a white sapphire in a disc necklace can effectively mimic a diamond, offering both quality and affordability. Reflecting on the future of Becket and Quill, Webb compares its nascent stage to the early days of Drybar. She admits that when she started Drybar, her initial ambition was modest, envisioning it as a single local shop to support her family while allowing her to be present for her children. The rapid growth of Drybar into an empire was an unforeseen development. She expresses similar excitement and anticipation for Becket and Quill, noting the enjoyment she derives from watching new orders come in, reminiscent of the early, exhilarating phase of building Drybar. Webb also shares valuable insights into her entrepreneurial journey, specifically emphasizing the importance of self-confidence. She recounts feeling intimidated in the early stages of Drybar, particularly in board meetings with highly educated investors, due to her background as a hairstylist and lack of a college degree. She initially hesitated to voice her opinions or ask questions, fearing judgment. Over time, and with increasing experience and success, she gained the confidence to assert herself, admit when she didn't know something, and recognize her own intelligence and contributions. She wishes she had developed this self-assurance earlier in her career. Finally, Webb discusses female entrepreneurs who have inspired her. While she initially lacked visible female business leaders as role models beyond her hardworking mother, she later found inspiration in figures like Candace Nelson (Sprinkles), Diane Von Furstenberg, and Sarah Blakely (Spanx). She now actively seeks to be a role model herself, readily engaging with students interested in entrepreneurship. Currently, she admires Sarah Gibson Tuttle of Olive and June, particularly for Tuttle's agile response to the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, where she successfully pivoted her salon business to selling at-home nail kits and tutorials, ultimately launching in Target and achieving significant growth. This highlights the adaptability and innovation characteristic of successful female founders in the contemporary business landscape. #AlliWebb #Drybar #BecketAndQuill #FemaleFounder #Entrepreneurship #JewelryBusiness #GoldFill #BusinessGrowth #SelfConfidence

This article features an interview with Alicia Rosauer and Robert Segal, the founders of Unison, a Chicago-based design and home-furnishings shop. Both founders have a deep connection to Marimekko, the legendary Finnish design firm. Alicia's interest in Marimekko began in her childhood when her parents purchased Marimekko bedding for her and her sister's room. Robert, whose parents founded Crate and Barrel, was exposed to Marimekko from birth, as his parents were early importers of the fabric, and his grandmother would convert Marimekko fabric by the yard into ready-made items like throw pillows and pot holders. The interview delves into their early experiences with Marimekko and their careers at the company. Robert worked as a junior designer, creating prints for apparel, then bag designs, men's shirts, and eventually fabric for the interior department. Alicia initially focused on photo, marketing, and styling, assisting with photoshoots. Over their five years at Marimekko, they collaborated on several projects, including patterns for women's apparel and interior fabrics. They highlight the significant impact Marimekko's design philosophy had on them, particularly its embrace of large-scale, non-repeatable patterns and its meticulous attention to color. Marimekko's extensive color library, with thousands of formulas and high-quality dyes, allowed for precise color reproduction, a critical aspect of their design. After their time at Marimekko, Alicia and Robert founded Unison, driven by their own clear product ideas that didn't align with Marimekko's direction or their junior status at the time. They explain how Unison balances well-known, familiar patterns like stripes and buffalo checks with more organic, all-over designs, often juxtaposing them to create a harmonious look. They emphasize the importance of usability in their designs, noting that not every product needs to be an art piece. The interview also touches on the practical limitations of running a smaller company, such as not owning their factories, which affects the number of colors they can use in patterns due to minimum yardage requirements. The conversation also explores their sourcing strategies, including attending trade shows, monitoring design blogs, and increasingly, being approached by designers. They value patience in their seasonal cycles, understanding that opportunities can resurface. A key aspect of Unison's initial strategy was a commitment to "made in America" production, influenced by companies like American Apparel. This allowed for lower minimum order requirements and better quality control compared to international manufacturing options. The founders discuss the evolution of manufacturing, noting that while much of Marimekko's printing and fabric production remains in Finland, some ready-made goods are produced in other countries to manage costs. Looking ahead, they foresee a significant expansion in digital printing, which aligns with the demand for personalized and on-demand products, especially with the rise of platforms like Etsy. They reflect on a past family discussion where the idea that people no longer cared about fabric was prevalent, contrasting it with the current trend of individuals and smaller producers creating and selling fabric by the yard through digital printing. This shift represents a significant return of interest in fabric as a raw material for creative endeavors. #UnisonHome #Marimekko #FabricDesign #HomeFurnishings #DesignPhilosophy #TextileIndustry #DigitalPrinting #MadeInAmerica #InteriorDesign #Entrepreneurship