CREATIVES: Entrepreneurs to Watch Sarah Elizabeth Dewey and Jolie Bensen from New Orleans

Sarah Elizabeth Dewey and Jolie Bensen worked together in NYC at BCBG before returning home to New Orleans to launch their own women’s fashion line, Jolie and Elizabeth, in 2010. Their road to success has been paved with hard work and good designs. They design with the southern climate in mind with a focus on seersucker, linen and silk.

Their venture has made an economic impact on the area where they grew up and that is something to be proud of—Made in the USA but more importantly, Made in Louisiana.

We asked Jolie and Sarah to share some of their entrepreneurial spirit here–

Inspiration:

Jolie – French Vogue and Old Southern Films- There’s something about the South that has that same romantic yet genuine lovely feeling

Sarah – Colorful historic houses of New Orleans – the different color combinations are stunning and one of a kind. A different pallet on every corner.

Theme Song:

Jolie – Down in New Orleans by Dr. John- or any song by Dr. John really. Fleetwood Mac might be a close second.

Sarah – American Girl – Tom Petty

Fave book or author:

Jolie – The Beautiful Fall by Alicia Drake

Sarah – (Currently reading) #Girlboss by Sophia Amoruso

Favorite charity:

Jolie – Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana is a charity that is less board members and more action, volunteer weekends- a charity we fully support!

Sarah – Audubon Institute of New Orleans – they do outstanding work for our community

#1 skill/attribute needed to be an entrepreneur:

Jolie – Open mind and need to continue the path of learning. You’ve got to keep learning in order to grow.

Sarah – Always stay true to yourself and have confidence.

Role model:

Jolie – My dad- he’s a hands on, hard working, can do it all yet has more patience than I could ever hope to have. It’s truly inspiring.

Sarah – My parents. They have always been kind and supportive in how they teach and nurture my sister and I.

Favorite social media:

Jolie – Tumblr! While I love Instagram, tumblr is more- anything goes which allows for more creativity.

Sarah – Instagram. Short and to the point 🙂

Favorite quote:

Jolie – “Behind every successful woman is herself.”

Sarah – “You do not merely want to be considered just the best of the best. You want to be considered the only ones who do what you do” – Jerry Garcia

Interesting tidbit about you or your business:

Marion and Sarah – We’ve just hit the 10,000 dresses mark. It’s unbelievable that in just 4 years, we’ve designed and manufactured over 10,000 dresses right here in New Orleans. Every dollar of each dress stays here in America, not overseas, enriching our local economies- a very important factor for a strong economy and a strong company.

Jolie and Elizabeth
903 Upperline Street, New Orleans, LA 70115 • 1.800.391.5545

The Southern Coterie is a social network (tscoterie.wpengine.com) with events (thesoutherncsummit.com) that connects influencers, entrepreneurs and marketing professionals with an affinity for the South- the Makers and Doers.

Enjoy this series where we introduce you to Southern creatives we find inspiring-

• Nan Myers, Jay Ducote and Jane Pope Cooper
• TJ Callaway, Natalie Evans and Javacia Bowser
• Marquin Campbell
• Putt Weatherbee
• Jamie Meares
• Molly Jane Gravitt
• Ursula Reynolds
• Claire Bruce
• Ashley Schoenith
• Hillary Crittendon and Laura Martin
• Sarah Almond
• Louise Van Winkle Breen, Carrie Van Winkle Greener & Chenault Van Winkle James
• Tracy Blanchard
• Katherine Frankstone
• Kyla Cox
• Morgan Hutchinson
• Marion Blount and Leslie Chapman
• Elizabeth Joyce
• Julie Willis

CHERI HARDEN LEAVY

Co-Founder of The Southern Coterie

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