Momtrepreneurs take on world in women apparel

Momtrepreneurs take on world in women apparel - Monroe Evening News

Momtrepreneurs take on world in women apparel - Monroe Evening News
New store dedicated to horse and equestrian apparel opens in Butler County - Hamilton Journal News
Massena Memorial Hospital Auxiliary collecting winter apparel for local children - NNY360
Sisters doin' it for themselves with Dudley Stephens fleece apparel brand - Westfair Online

Momtrepreneurs take on world in women apparel - Monroe Evening News

Posted: 17 Nov 2019 11:05 AM PST

As Molly Hedglen prepared to take her 7-year-old daughter into the woods to look at deer, Kennedy looked her at mom and said she was afraid.
But the young girl was determined not to let her fear stop her.

As Molly Hedglen prepared to take her 7-year-old daughter into the woods to look at deer, Kennedy looked her at mom and said she was afraid.

But the young girl was determined not to let her fear stop her.

"She looked at me and said, 'I want to go into the woods – I have to go kill my fear,' " Hedglen said. "And she went out there and took her fear head on."

The experience made such an impact that it helped inspire the name for Eighteen FF Apparel, a company Hedglen, 32, of Monroe recently launched with friends Ashleigh Watson, 28, of Newport and Stacey Westbrook, 41, of Monroe.

To the Monroe County women who proudly call themselves momtrepeneurs – all three are married with children – the Fs refer to their motto, "Faith is greater than fear."

But the trio make it clear they're not a Christian apparel company. Although they have strong faith, they want the company and its name to be reflective of each person's journey, which is unique to an individual.

"We wanted to show our kids that hard work, dedication and believing in yourself can create something incredible and inspiring," Hedglen said. "We are essentially trying to sell people pieces of our hearts rather than merchandise."

The web-based company splashes original designs across various items, including a wide range of clothing options and other products, such as mugs and water bottles. Operating as an e-store, it's also gearing up for vendor show appearances and exploring opportunities to expand.

Designs with messages

Each of Eighteen FF Apparel's designs carries a special message, Hedglen said, adding that the young company relies heavily on deeper meaning when it comes to conceptualizing its products.

The designs are crafted with symbolism in mind, Watson said. Some designs, such as the company's phoenix and Amazon designs, are also cause-based, drawing attention to things such as cancer awareness or the importance of the rainforest, she added.

It also has a bee design, which is inspired by Hedglen's mother, Brenda. It is customizable to each person, according to Hedglen.

"It's nice to have designs with a message in mind, but it also can have another meaning for someone else," Watson said.

Since launching in August, the business has grown rapidly, with interest in carrying its products stretching domestically as well as all the way to the United Kingdom.

"We're putting a positive message out in the world," Watson said. "We're not going to let anything dull that."

The idea to start the brand grew from a simple conversation. The three friends were socializing as they watched their kids play when they began to talk about their individual creative pursuits.

The moms talked about how they increasingly wanted to do something that was geared more toward their interests. Their children were getting older and were less reliant on their care.

"Our kids are getting older, we've raised them and it's time for ourselves," Watson said. "We're all very hard workers in different ways. When we work together, everything just flows."

As they discussed the possibility of opening a business, they realized they had experiences and abilities that complemented each other. They were able to forge a partnership that highlights those individual strengths.

Hedglen has a long history of producing a diverse array of creations and selling them. She loves art in all forms.

"Being able to do art that has a purpose … and doing it with people I believe is what makes us kind of unstoppable," Hedglen said.

Westbrook also had sold original pieces over the years as part of a small business she operated. She also has experience in product creation and photography skills.

"It's been a whirlwind," Westbrook said. "We just flow – we're cranking it out."

Watson had several years of experience in direct sales working from home. She also has an interest in product creation.

"It's nice to work for yourself," Watson said. "That's the best feeling the world – working for yourself and seeing the hard work pay off."

The development

The concept for Eighteen FF Apparel sprung out of their discussion and they each set about making their fledgling dream a reality.

The team created a series of designs, filed the necessary paperwork to legitimize their business and created and executed marketing strategies within 30 days.

The group practices upcycling – which is the process of creatively repurposing items. Many of its products are hand-distressed and vintage-pressed. The group describes its line as everyday wear.

Everything is hand-painted art that is scanned digitally for reproduction, Westbrook said.

"We consider it bada--," she added. "That's kind of how we describe it."

Westbrook showed Hedglen and Watson how to do a lot of the work for the inventory production of the company's apparel. They operate out of Westbrook's studio space in Monroe on W. Elm Ave. The group meets a few times a week to go over the business and discuss new products.

Since starting in August, they've unveiled new designs each week.

"I love them all," Westbrook said. "I feel like the business continues to keep evolving."

The local moms also want to inspire others to pursue their dreams. In honor of their name, they encourage people not to let their fear keep them from doing something. They also may be surprised by how much support they receive, they said.

It also can inspire the next generation. Since launching Eighteen FF Apparel, the moms also have made it a goal to show their kids that anything can be accomplished.

"It's been great to put ourselves out there and have people respect and support (the business) and us," Watson said. "If you have an idea and it might sound crazy at the time, just do it. See what you can do."

"It takes a leap of faith and having your faith be bigger than whatever fear holds you back," Hedglen added. "As we are trying to impact others, they are impacting us."

Those interested in Eighteen FF Apparel can find more information on its Facebook page or at eighteenapparel.bigcartel.com.

New store dedicated to horse and equestrian apparel opens in Butler County - Hamilton Journal News

Posted: 17 Nov 2019 02:04 PM PST

MIDDLETOWN —

A store that buys and sells gently used tack and equestrian apparel and show clothing recently opened in Middletown.

The Pudgy Pony Equine Thrift Store, at 1372 Central Ave. in Middletown, is owned by Emily Nelson and her father, Sam Nelson, both of Middletown.

"I sold second-hand as a hobby, actually, having a store in my garage," she said. "I've been teaching riding lessons to kids for over 10 years now and so I was constantly looking for clothing for my students being that they were first time showing, and horses can be very expensive, I really tried to help out their parents as much as possible.

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"From there it grew and grew and people started contacting me to buy all their stuff whether they were getting out of horses or their kids have outgrown all of their show clothing."

As the venture that started as a part-time hobby became increasingly successful, Nelson decided to take the plunge into small business ownership.

"I chose downtown Middletown not only because I live in Middletown — it's very convenient for me — but this area is really starting to grow and I like the vibe and eclectic scene that Central Avenue is building," she said.

Nelson said she is the only employee at the store, but another employee or two could eventually be hired.

"Being that this is a new business, who knows what could happen," she said. "I've been getting a lot of great response from my fellow equestrian community and people in the area so I'm very hopeful for the success the store will bring."

The Pudgy Pony Equine Thrift Store's hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

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Chicken Salad Chick

The newest franchise of the nation's only Southern-inspired, fast-casual chicken salad restaurant recently opened at 6209 Snider Road in Mason.

Chicken Salad Chick's menu features more than a dozen kinds of chicken salads along with pimento cheese or egg salad, served by the scoop, in bread, with toast or with a croissant. There's also a selection of side dishes, soups and desserts.

Chicken Salad Chick started in Alabama in 2008.

Eagle Merchant Partners purchased a majority stake in Chicken Salad Chick in 2015. The company has 130 restaurants in 13 states.

Opening the Mason location are first-time Chicken Salad Chick franchisees Beth and Mike Heydt of Ready to Serve LLC.

The local debut follows the brand's June debut in Ohio in Westerville, near Columbus. Those two restaurants kick off a string of Chicken Salad Chick development in the state. Other locations are planned in Oakley and Anderson Twp.

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Massena Memorial Hospital Auxiliary collecting winter apparel for local children - NNY360

Posted: 17 Nov 2019 08:45 AM PST

MASSENA —The Massena Memorial Hospital Auxiliary invites the community to join in "keeping our children toasty warm from head to toe" this winter. The Auxiliary holds an annual collection of gently used apparel including winter coats, mittens, hats, gloves, scarves, socks and new underwear to give to Massena School students in need. This year's "Keeping our children toasty warm from head to toe" clothing drive started on Nov.1 and will run through Dec. 15. All items can be brought to the hospital and placed in one of the collection boxes outside of the Gift Shop and Public Relations Offices or in the Medical Office Building waiting area.

If you do not have any gently used winter items to donate, the Auxiliary is also collecting cash donations. Every person who provides a monetary donation will receive a "piece of toast" to write their name on to be displayed in the Gift Shop window. The Auxiliary collected almost 300 items and $476 in cash donations over a two-week span last year. With an earlier start date this year, the Auxiliary is hoping to exceed these numbers and provide many children with appropriate winter apparel.

Sisters doin' it for themselves with Dudley Stephens fleece apparel brand - Westfair Online

Posted: 17 Nov 2019 06:09 AM PST

Direct-to-consumer lifestyle fleece brand Dudley Stephens takes the "best of both worlds" idiom to an extreme.

Dudley Stephens fleece — Dudley Stephens co-founders and sisters Kaki McGrath (left) and Lauren Stephens. Photo by Kevin Zimmerman

It capitalizes on being located in Greenwich and having a factory in Brooklyn. It's slowly adding more brick-and-mortar to its primarily e-commerce retail approach. And it's run by two sisters, one with a fashion background and the other with marketing experience.

"We'd talked about starting something where we could work together for a while," Katherine (Kaki) McGrath said at Dudley Stephens' office/showroom at 6 W. Putnam Ave. in Greenwich. "We thought that our different strengths would work well together."

McGrath said she draws on her previous tenure in sports and entertainment marketing as the firm's COO while co-founder and CEO Lauren Stephens' experience in celebrity dressing and VIP relations for such houses as Calvin Klein and Gucci made her the obvious choice to oversee product design, styling, strategic partnerships and the creative execution of the brand.

Launched in 2015, the company acquired its 1,500-square-foot space in Greenwich in February. Prior to that, "It was run from my home," Stephens laughed.

Not to be left out is their mother, Bonnie Dudley. Though she ended up teaching, fashion "has always been her passion," McGrath said. "She's at all design meetings and she always has input."

Having linked up with a factory in Brooklyn to manufacture its clothing, the firm profits from that borough's cachet by naming several of its designs after a Brooklyn street or neighborhood: The Cobble Hill and Park Slope turtlenecks, for example, and the Highland and Brighton tops.

Prices range from $78 to $200 for outerwear. There are also lines for toddlers (starting at $48) and young girls (starting at $88).

Items are made from sustainable fleece.

"We feel it's important for us all to do our part for the environment," McGrath said. "The fleece we work with is soft, cozy, washable, durable and sustainable."

Stephens allowed that additional fabrics could be made available in the future.

Word-of-mouth — and Instagram — are driving much of the firm's sales. While Dudley Stephens has offered the occasional pop-up store in both the Greenwich and Boston areas, it is looking to do more at its Greenwich address. Open houses will take place there on Nov. 14 and Dec. 6, 13 and 20.

"We get a lot of inquiries about trying stuff on and feeling it before buying it," Stephens explained. "The timing around the holidays felt right and we're really excited to do it."

Having grown up in Darien — McGrath still lives there, while Stephens now resides in Greenwich — the sisters said they had long hoped to open a physical store near Greenwich Avenue.

"It pulls in people from a lot of areas besides Greenwich," McGrath added. "We're close to Westchester County and New York City and we've done trunk shows in the city and beyond."

The brand was recently showcased on Fox Business News' "Mornings With Maria," an indication of how large — and quickly — the company's reputation has grown.