Tell us about where you work and what you do there.
I’m the founder of steep & mellow. I currently wear quite a few hats and juggle a little bit of everything. Between marketing, product development, brand management, and everything in between — I’ve got my finger on the pulse of every moving part of this operation.
How would you describe yourself?
My friends would say I’m a high-energy, go-getter, and creative person. When I’m not running steep & mellow, I’m usually fulfilling my full-time duties as a dog mom, a part-time houseplant nerd, and all-the-time fitness enthusiast. I’m very passionate about health and wellness as well as protecting the environment so I do my best to live a waste-friendly lifestyle.
What drew you to entrepreneurship?
I was very lucky to have grown up surrounded by entrepreneurs. My parents had many business ventures together so I was immersed in that environment from a very young age. I truly admired the idea of creating something out of nothing and felt very compelled to follow in those footsteps. Ultimately, I’ve always wanted to create something of my own that would inspire others to become the best and brightest versions of themselves. That has been my #1 goal since day one of starting steep & mellow.
What do you think has been your biggest professional success so far?
I believe that the idea of success is subjective. To some, it’s landing a major partnership and selling out from store to store. To others it’s finishing the day having added a little more value into the world than what was there in the morning. To me, I would say my biggest professional success so far has been launching steep & mellow. It has been one of the most exciting and fulfilling experiences I’ve ever had.
The little girl inside of me definitely had a moment seeing my brand go out into the world for the first time. Now, seeing steep & mellow being loved by our customers and being featured in Goop, The Detox Market, and Indigo makes me need to pinch myself on a weekly basis. Creating a brand infused with my own personal values allows me to step up and add that little bit of extra value into the world everyday which always leaves my cup feeling a little more full.
What goals do you have for 2022?
This year I’ve got a few big goals but I’d say the main one is to expand the current product line within steep & mellow. Beyond that, growing our team and empowering each team member to learn new skills and to mutually grow as people outside of the workplace is on that list. Personally, finding a better balance between working and taking time to be present and practice self-care is another major goal of mine.
What do you think is the next big trend in eCommerce?
I think a combination of high attention to personalization and creating a strong omnichannel experience for customers. Maintaining personal connection with your true fans (we call them Rockstars) and providing them with an opportunity to have a first-person physical experience with your product will be super important.
Name an eCommerce brand you admire and why.
As a young female founder, I really look up to the team at Three Ships Beauty. Their founding story shows true determination and resilience which I find incredibly admirable. I think they set an amazing example of how to lead with transparency, thoughtfulness, and care in everything that they do. The community they’ve built based on those principles is really amazing.
What do you geek out over?
Art, music, great branding, plants, and adaptogens. I really light up when I can talk about any of these things. If we sat down and had a cup of tea together, you’d see what I mean.
