Home: Southport, CT. Age: Old enough to avoid the question. Birthplace: Brooklyn, NY. Profession: Building and growing innovative brands and businesses. Significant other: My husband, Gabe Valencia.
Latest accomplishment: Shedding my covid body, losing fifteen pounds and getting really fit. Latest contribution to others: Volunteering for Habitats for Humanity ReStore and Lasagna Love. What’s been your big (or biggest leap)? Moving out of New York City. Hobbies: Yoga, writing &and kintsugi. Recent travel or adventure: Greece, with dear friends. Last book read: How Women Rise, by Sally Helgesen and Marshall Goldsmith. Recent unique acquisition: A vintage nautical searchlight.
Personality profile: Authentic, optimistic, passionate. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Clutch. How do you define a perfect friendship? One phone call away. How do you define an ideal business relationship? Transparent, trusting and mutually beneficial. What is your greatest joy? My family. What is your guilty pleasure? Gummy bears. What natural talent have you neglected? Designing and creating beautiful things. What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? Travel and experiences.
What was your first paying job? Working at an ice cream stand. What was your favorite college course? History. What was your favorite childhood toy or game? Light Bright. What movie have you repeatedly watched? Forest Gump. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? My husband’s art. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? My daughters. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Trust yourself and lean into that.
What change would you like to see in the world?
Shared responsibility to save the planet.
What message do you want to send out into the world? Be kind; be grateful. What mega-trend most excites you? The circular economy. What mega-trend most concerns you? Social media.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? From Beverage to Beverage and the In-between. What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Sandra Bullock. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? Mom and Dad. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A fashion designer. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? And after my cats, my dad’s Avengers t-shirt. What advice would you give your younger self? Don’t waste time on worry and learn about personal finance. What period in your life would you do differently, if you could? My twenties.
Personal mission: Growth, transformation and happiness. Personal motto: Show up; do good. Favorite quote: “Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be” (Abraham Lincoln). Desired epitaph: She believed she could, so she did.
