September Member Monday 2024
Sep 30 2024
by Ellie Watkins
Meet Lisa Maurer of Sister Sister Jewelry
Lisa Maurer, the designer behind Sister Sister Jewelry, embraces the power of storytelling and sees jewelry as more than an accessory. Each piece in Sister Sister’s collection is crafted and named after a woman to share her story. This design philosophy was shaped by Lisa’s grief after losing her sister, Ellen, finding solace in sharing memories with others.
Why did you join TSC Membership?
The best part of joining TSC are the opportunities provided to build genuine relationships with other entrepreneurs. Partnerships have lifted my business up over the years and the best ones all started with getting to know the people behind the brand.
What is a favorite small business you like to shop or support?
My favorite small business is Yearly Co. They design solid gold bangles meant to signify important milestones. I started building my stack on the anniversary of Sister Sister Jewelry’s launch, which is also my sister’s birthday. Over time I connected with the founder Ann and we launched a collaboration bangle together. It is an honor to go from customer to business partner with a brand I admire.
Where do you go to get your inspiration now?
My design inspiration comes from diving into the stories and memories customers share about their loved ones. It’s not just about choosing a gemstone or type of gold; it’s about capturing the essence of those cherished moments in every piece.
What is the best business advice you have ever given or received?
The best piece of advice I’ve ever received comes from a good friend: Don’t live to work, work to live.
Meet Bethany Adams of Bethany Adams Interiors
My name is Bethany Sundman Adams and I’m the principal of Bethany Adams Interiors, a luxury residential interior design and decorating firm in Louisville, Kentucky, founded in 2016. I’m a native of Northern New Hampshire, have lived in DC, Tokyo, Chicago, Paris, and finally settled in Louisville ten years ago when my English professor husband landed a job there. We love it, but I definitely feel like a Northern fish out of water sometimes! It does allow me to bring a unique perspective to the Louisville design scene, though, which I think is a large part of my success. I am also an NCIDQ and KY Board of Architecture-certified Interior Designer, which means I do the interior architecture as well as the interior decorating of my projects. Louisville has the most breathtaking historic homes, and I’ve been able to carve a niche for myself working primarily in historic restorations brought to live with modern decorating, as seen most notably in my Louisville Tudor project which was featured by Architectural Digest last October in a digital exclusive home tour.
https://www.bethanyadamsinteriors.com/
Why did you join TSC Membership?
I attended TSC summit two years ago when I was just dipping my toe into publicity and expanding my business into a “real” business and found it a bit overwhelming. I didn’t yet have the experience or projects to feel confident that I belonged in the company of all of these accomplished women. In the last few months though, several members convinced me to give it another try, and I’m glad I did. I’m now at the point in my own business where I have enough work that I’m proud of, and enough experience to share and relate to that I have something to give back to the other members.
What is a favorite small business you like to shop or support?
Fellow TSC member and Louisvillian Mazie Clark makes the loveliest home goods like tea towels and coasters that are perfect for gifting. I also love TSC member brand All in the Detail‘s pretty dresses for easy summer dressing when I’m in New Hampshire to escape the Louisville heat!
Where do you go to get your inspiration now?
I don’t travel as much as I’d like to anymore, so literally anywhere I go, I keep my eyes open. I was part of a program in middle school called “Odyssey of the Mind” which was a competitive after school program intended to nurture intellectual and artistic creativity. One of the competitions involved showing kids an object—a thimble, a soap dish, who knows what? it was always something random—and asking “what could this be?” The more creative the answers, the more points you got. I think as a result of this training, I often see objects or details and my brain doesn’t immediately register the fact of what it IS. More often than not, my idea of what the object could be is quite a bit more exciting than the reality, and that’s where most of my best ideas come from.
What is the best business advice you have ever given or received?
A dear friend of mine, who is a brilliant designer, once said to me, in a moment of self-doubt many years ago: “If you like it, they’ll like it too.” It’s simple, but the point was, stop trying to please people. Clients come to me because they want to know what I like. That really changed things for me and gave me a lot of confidence in my aesthetic choices.
Meet Milan Organ of Magnolia Boone Paperie
Magnolia Boone Paperie is a luxury, heirloom paper and design studio in Dallas, Texas. I fell in love with paper and events when I was planning my own wedding. The intentional details stole my heart! Flowers, dresses and venues were all wonderful but the little personal deets? I was all about it. I wanted our guests to feel like they were opening a piece of mail from a dear friend. The first 8 years of my career, I worked in the oil & gas industry. After my daughter was born, I finally took the leap and turned my passion into a career. I still can’t believe I get to do this for a living! I believe “more is more” and your paper and party goods should be just that…more than you could have ever dreamed. I am a sucker for vintage postage, snail mail, disco balls, silk ribbon, luxury paper, deep fluffy letterpress and all of the embellishments the stationery world has to offer. On the weekends, you can find me with my husband and our four-year-old daughter, Audrey. I love a spicy ranch water, live music, cooking, shopping and of course creating.
https://www.magnoliaboonepaperie.com/
Why did you join TSC Membership?
I joined TSC because I really resonated with “collaboration over competition.” It was exactly what I yearned for in the wedding professionals industry! It can be extremely isolating if you do not surround yourself with the right people within this industry.
What is a favorite small business you like to shop or support?
Gosh I love SO many! My dear friend Kelsey Crain owns Petite Paloma so you will mostly see me rockin’ her boots! I am also a HUGE fan of Sarah of Tela Mercantile, Emily & Annie of Fenwick Fields, Carrie of Pearly Gates, Grace Hamlin, Catherine Cartie, Addie of Ruth and Ralph, Elizabeth of Ann Reeves and so many more!
Where do you go to get your inspiration now?
I would say I find majority of my inspiration in fashion, nature and the couples themselves. Once I hear their story, my gears start moving!
What is the best business advice you have ever given or received?
I have received so much advice over the last few years but my favorite is to surround yourself with people that lift you up, that not only protect your name when you are not in the room but scream it! Birds of a feather!
Meet Catherine Schultz of Kimono Dragon
Introduce yourself
Catherine leads partnerships, brand marketing, and communications for Kimono Dragon, a destination for bold, maximalist style and those who aren’t afraid to be noticed. Kimono Dragon offers high-quality vintage and contemporary costume jewelry and was founded by Catherine’s sister, Laura Schultz, in 2019. Kimono Dragon was inspired by their grandmother, Katherine Gray, an entrepreneur, costume jewelry collector, and fashionista with a fierce sense of style. Catherine and Laura travel around the world regularly, thoughtfully curating treasures from their extensive journeys. Each piece in the Kimono Dragon collection must pass the “Is it fabulous?” test, reflecting the sisters’ commitment to quality and style.
Catherine joined Kimono Dragon full-time in 2024 after working in corporate marketing and communications roles at Atlanta tech companies, including Mailchimp, Fiserv, and First Data. Throughout her career, Catherine honed her skills in executive communications, content marketing, blogging, and event coordination. After 15 years in the corporate world, she was ready for a change and made the leap to pursue a more creative role and the opportunity to work with her sister (playing with beautiful jewelry being a bonus!).
Catherine holds a bachelor’s degree in English and has lived and worked in Atlanta since 2010. On the weekend, you can find her standing first in line at an estate sale to scope out jewelry, or at home with her husband, and three cats (Purrcy, Poppy, and Fiona) pouring over interior design books and plotting their next house project.
Why did you join TSC Membership?
I joined TSC to connect with other female entrepreneurs and creatives. I’m looking for a community of women who support each other’s businesses, and I look forward to getting to know Atlanta members!
What is a favorite small business you like to shop or support?
I love Estancia Clothing – a Texas-based brand run by two sisters. I met them at Round Top last year, when their booth was next to Kimono Dragon’s. Their silk scarves and knit sweaters were so beautiful that I ended up going home with several pieces and have placed a few orders since!
Where do you go to get your inspiration now?
Traveling is my favorite way to be inspired. I particularly love touring old homes to see how people lived – how they set their table, how they used color in their decor, what their gardens looked like, etc. I went to Venice in June with my sister and toured several palazzos from the 17th century. It was amazing how timeless some elements of those homes are.
What is the best business advice you have ever given or received?
Tennis legend Arthur Ashe’s advice applies to many aspects of life, particularly entrepreneurship: “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” It’s a simple but helpful reminder to be resourceful and work with what you’ve got.
Meet Mary George Sowers of Mary George
Introduce yourself
I am Mary George Sowers, the founder and creative director behind Mary George, a clothing line inspired by interior design. I live in Snow Hill, NC with my husband, Wes and our dog, Hootie! I have a masters degree in accounting and am a licensed CPA. After years of sitting behind a desk and crunching numbers I decided it was time to chase my lifelong dream of creating my own clothing line and bring my vision to life. My line launches in Spring of 2025!
Why did you join TSC Membership?
The best part of being a TSC member is being able to connect and collaborate with other like-minded women who own businesses and share a passion for ambition, encouragement and inspiration. It’s a community where women are eager and ready to help each other, pushing one another to grow and succeed together.
What is a favorite small business you like to shop or support?
I love to support small businesses and it will be so hard to choose just one! I always love to shop at Clair de Lune & always reach for my House of MBR, Crosby by Mollie Burch, Hunter Bell & Sheridan French pieces, Smith & Co & Mignonne Gavigan accessories!
Where do you go to get your inspiration now?
There is so many places I find inspiration! I am forever inspired by my love for interiors, bright colors and traveling. I also love to find inspiration in the little things – a sunset after a long day or flowers blooming in our yard!
What is the best business advice you have ever given or received?
The best business/life advice I have received was to step out in faith and take action, if you wait for the perfect conditions you may miss the opportunity! – Ecclesiastes 11:4
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