How'd She Do That?

Today's guests Melanie and Lina are the founders of MERSEA. MERSEA’s story began in 2013 with a singular passion in mind: Travel, and the nostalgic scents that come along with it. Fascinated by scent’s ability to transport the body and soul to places old and new, this led our founders to uncover the creations of artisans found in corners around the world. Now, MERSEA is no longer exclusively a destination for scents and self-care, but a curated collection of travel essentials crafted entirely for your journey—wherever you may go. A California native, Lina spent her childhood summers in San Diego attending surf camp and soaking up the sun. After marrying her college sweetheart, she moved to Kansas City, got her MBA, and met Melanie at their children’s small school. She is a lover of the ocean and adventure, and when she’s not working or traveling for MERSEA, Lina enjoys playing cards with her four kids. Born in Texas but destined for the West Coast, Melanie lived in Los Angeles for many years embracing the creativity, adventure, and ample opportunities in the brand marketing world. Melanie then moved to Kansas City alongside her husband and two children in 2004—subsequently meeting Lina. At MERSEA, Melanie manages all things creative. We know listeners will love today's episode!

Today's guest Sirena Singleton is the Founder of Aneris Photography. After a successful career in science, Sirena left her role in the lab to focus on helping brands gain clarity, developing a strategy, and crafting an authentic brand that attracts connections and converts through her photography. She loves capturing creative entrepreneurs and their processes and she is a firm believer that the magic is in the process and within that process is your brand story. Sirena specialized in helping her clients become inspired so that they can transform their brand, and serve their communities well. She loves exploring new locations, finding amazing light in clients’ homes or offices, and documenting moments that help immortalize your legacy.  She loves capturing the REAL you! Every creative, couple and family is different and the goal is to capture memories that will last a lifetime. We know listeners will be encouraged by this conversation!

Today's guest, Lauren Robbins is the owner of Lauren Robbins Interiors. After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Lauren worked for an event planning and catering company in New York City.  There, food was art.  Attention to detail and outside-the-box thinking regarding food display and event design allowed Lauren to rethink the way we use everyday items. The modern tastes of New York combined with her love of antiques and other period pieces, allowed Lauren's transitional style to truly evolve. In 2009, she returned to the South to work with her mother-in-law, where they formed Robbins Interiors, LLC, a duo that brought beautiful decor to the beaches of North Carolina and other lovely homes throughout the Southeast.  In 2018, Lauren went out on her own and established Lauren Robbins Interiors in Augusta, Georgia.  She opened her own retail store at Summerville Studio in the Fall of 2021.   Lauren loves being able to use antiques and collected pieces to create looks that feel truly curated and one-of-a-kind.  She builds relationships with her clients so she can truly understand their style and help them create a home that is uniquely theirs.  When she isn't curating designs for her clients, she loves being with and traveling with her husband John, and their three children Grove, Henry, and Eloise.  We can't wait for listeners to hear Lauren's story!

Today's guest, Alexa Von Tobel is the founder and managing partner of Inspired Capital - a VC fund she started with former Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker. Prior to Inspired Capital, Alexa founded LearnVest in 2008 with the goal of helping people make progress on their money. After raising nearly $75 million in venture capital, LearnVest was acquired by Northwestern Mutual in May 2015 in one of the biggest fintech acquisitions of the decade. Following the acquisition, von Tobel joined the management team of Northwestern Mutual as the company’s first-ever Chief Digital Officer. She later assumed the role of Chief Innovation Officer through which she oversaw Northwestern Mutual’s venture arm. Alexa, who holds a Certified Financial Planner™ designation, is the New York Times-bestselling author of Financially Fearless and Financially Forward. She is also the host of The Founders Project with Alexa von Tobel, a weekly podcast with Inc. that highlights top entrepreneurs. Alexa is a member of the 2016 Class of Henry Crown Fellows and an inaugural member of President Obama’s Ambassadors for Global Entrepreneurship. She has been honored with numerous recognitions including a Forbes Magazine cover story, Fortune’s 40 Under 40, Fortune's Most Powerful Women, Inc. Magazine's 30 Under 30, and World Economic Forum's Young Global Leader. We know listeners will love getting to know Alexa in today's episode!

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Today's guest, Eleanor Scott Davis is an abstract expressionist painter based in Raleigh, North Carolina. She attended Wake Forest University where she studied English and Studio Art. She went on to earn a Masters of Fine Art in Creative Writing with a concentration in poetry. While the written word remains a passion, Eleanor Scott ultimately chose to forgo the pen for a paintbrush. She is attracted to abstract art because, like poetry, it leaves the door open for individual interpretation. Eleanor Scott considers her artistic process to be directly linked to her role as a mother. Joining her in her bright studio, you will often find one (or all three!) of her daughters. She is frequently pulled away mid-brushstroke by the needs of her children and has come to value these moments of distraction as a tool that strengthens her art, forcing her to step away, evaluate and return with fresh eyes. The result is a deeply-layered, richly-textured, and multidimensional use of color. She considers her work a chronicle of motherhood: a balance of energy, chaos, unpredictability, and pure joy. Eleanor Scott’s paintings have been featured in numerous publications and can be found in homes and corporate collections across the United States. We know listeners will love hearing her story!

With over a decade of extensive experience in producing events across the world, today's guest, Augusta Cole, is widely trusted and respected for her discretion as well as her intuitive creative design, innate eye for detail, and seamless planning process.  Based in New York, NY, and Charleston, SC, with a global presence, Augusta excels in producing one-of-a-kind occasions of all shapes and sizes, ranging from multiple-day destination weddings and high-caliber corporate programs to intimate dinner parties. Her emphasis on customizing experiences and empowering a team of creative talent allows each event to reflect her client’s vision, personality, and style. In her former role as executive director at Easton Events, Augusta project-managed a diverse portfolio of highly detailed, logistically complicated events which developed her invaluable bank of industry knowledge.  Augusta’s fresh perspective and drive to provide dedicated, enthusiastic planning and design aims to surpass client expectations on every level. We know listeners will enjoy getting to know Augusta in today's episode!

Today's guest Ashley McCormick is an entrepreneur who started her jewelry company ASHA while a senior at Georgetown University. Ashley conceived of an elevated fashion jewelry line that was bold and sophisticated and used the finest materials, all while maintaining an accessible price point. While studying abroad in Paris, she had a chance meeting with the head of Chanel Fine Jewelry that gave her the confidence to set the idea in motion. Ashley’s collections are inspired by art, architecture and world travel. Ashley herself embodies the ethos of the Brand as a sophisticated traveler distinguished by her proficiency in five languages, her keen eye, and love of other cultures.  Fifteen years after its initial debut ASHA has expanded to include not only fine and fashion jewelry, but also a Bespoke division where customers can customize special jewelry pieces such as rings and charms using family crests or other icons that hold special meaning. Listeners can also find stunning dresses and a beautiful array of accessories from pareos to handbags and more. This female founded and run company has received numerous accolades not only for their beautiful and timeless collections but for the company’s mission to do well by doing good, both in the local community as well as in the world at large. Interestingly most of ASHA’s production partners are run by women from India to Paris to Positano. The joy of wearing ASHA lies in the fact that these pieces are all handcrafted and often one of a kind and certainly unique.

Today's guest Hillary Muscatello is the founder of Tello and Rose, a lifestyle brand that offers attainable, beautiful living to women globally. Through a range of product offerings and lifestyle tips, Tello and Rose aims to equip the everyday woman with classic, traditional style. The brand has made its mark all over the globe, with recipes, floral arranging, and fashion advice. After college at Bryant University, she landed a job at Hasbro games in their design department. Working with designers and marketing executives educated her on the process of product design from concept to mass production, a skill she would later use for her own brand. Hillary’s blog took off at a time when fashion blogging was a brand new territory. Her extensive experience landed her a job at TJX, where she worked exclusively on creating content for their 1+ million followers. Through all of these experiences, Hillary created Tello and Rose. It started as a lifestyle blog and quickly morphed into a jewelry line that was carried in high-end boutiques all over the East Coast. Hillary soon had children and made scarf bibs that she sold internationally. Through these endeavors, she saw a need for a classic, beautiful design that was attainable. No matter where Tello and Rose goes next, Hillary will always be that young girl creating beauty from simplicity. Because that is what life is really all about.

Today's guest Jane Winchester Paradis is the founder of Jane Win Jewelry! After working in fashion design and marketing for 20 years Jane left her corporate job with a dream to design beautiful jewelry with meaning. Starting a company at age 45 is not the path that many take. Jane had a robust career in design and fashion marketing, working for brands such as Calvin Klein Cosmetics, Barneys New York, and Lilly Pulitzer. Jane decided to create a collection made up of 8 amulets symbolizing an abundance of positivity, strength, hope, and luck. When she started researching this gorgeous antique coin jewelry, she realized that wealth is not shown in money, cars, or fancy homes…wealth comes from life experiences both good and bad. Jane and her team take great care to work with the first American craftsmen to cast high-quality pendants that we then plate in 14k gold with ‘the best in the business’. Last but not least, customers love their attention to detail. They package each piece in a beautifully printed box and are invested in delivering something special to every customer. It truly all comes from a LOVE of what they do and want to connect with those who wear their jewelry. Listeners will fall in love with Jane on today's Valentine's Day episode!