By Deirdre Hall
Beth Smith and Stacey Duffy, founders of e-commerce site Hybrid Her, promote women in business by offering a fashionable mix of clothing, accessories and more through both online and live trunk shows. Their warm personalities, collaborative approach to sales, and drive to foster entrepreneurship among women, while promoting designers, is what makes their hybrid business model a success, as well as appealing to women looking to work in the fashion industry.
These two style mavens are a winning team and it only follows that they responded to our questions together, so what we want to know is, are Beth and Stacey Minted?
Minted: What is the first thing you think about when you wake up in the morning?
Stacey Duffy: “Must.Get.Coffee” and “Where did I leave my iPhone so I can check my emails?”
Beth Smith: “Did I leave my gym clothes out?” Because if I don’t put them on the second my feet hit the floor there’s a good chance I’m not going.
Minted: What inspired you to start Hybrid Her?
SD: We started Hybrid Her because of all of the amazing women we’ve met and wanting to make a difference in their lives. Beth and I are so passionate about helping women create the lives they want and the first step is economic empowerment. We had connected with so many women who were designers and so many women who wanted to make money on their terms and … the light bulb went off for us to bring them together in an innovative way via trunk shows powered by an online e-commerce marketplace.
Minted: What was your first job?
SD: I was the pre-teen queen of babysitting. After college, I worked as a consultant and my first assignment was at an oil refinery … with my own hard hat!
BS: An assistant in the foreign language textbook division at Holt, Rinehart and Winston. I am pretty sure I can find the bathroom just about anywhere I go.
Minted: What have been your most effective marketing strategies?
SD: Having a clear and meaningful mission. So many women simply say they love what we are about before they even start work with us!
BS: We want women to share their stories—to know what gets them up in the morning! If you know your community you will have a better understanding of how to speak to them.
Minted: What have you learned that you wish you knew when you started out?
SD: Don’t get distracted and focus on executing a couple of things flawlessly.
BS: That it’s like finals week all year long! Except now I know that it’s okay if an idea fails—it’s all about how fast you can recover and use what you learned.
Minted: If you weren’t heading up HH, you’d be?
SD: Working in another start-up—I love making something from nothing.
BS: Writing a novel (or so I like to think).
Minted: Where do you meet customers/clients?
SD: Everywhere—but a lot of the conversation is on social media. We have over 5,000 Facebook followers and over 11,000 Twitter follower, and have started on Pinterest.
BS: I always wear at least one product from our designers every day. Compliment me on something and watch out—you will learn where it’s from, how it’s made, and how much I love the designer!
Minted: Friends and family would describe you as …
SD: Outspoken and I would like to think friendly and nice but I’m not sure what my mother would say …
BS: A true Libra: Diplomatic, sociable and balanced (ok, I need to work on that last one.)
Minted: What is your favorite way to relax after a long week?
SD: A binge of a whole TV series in one sitting!
BS: A lavender sea-salt bath and a glass of Pinot Grigio.
Minted: What activities keep you centered?
SD: Running by the river
BS: Kickboxing—oh the thoughts I have when punching that bag.
Minted: What is a style must have?
SD: Great sunglasses, a trench coat and the color blue.
BS: Great jewelry. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but it must be fun.
Minted: Who has been a motivational figure in your career?
SD: I couldn’t say just one person—I’ve learned from so many people and mentors at different stages in my career. Right now I am obsessed with Seth Godin.
BS: My husband. He is an eternal optimist and has taught me to find the positive in any circumstance.
Minted: Toughest challenge and what did you learn from it?
SD: It is very difficult to figure out the “toughest,” but a major challenge was when we did both a business model and branding pivot from HybridMom to Hybrid Her based off of our gut and passion. We were so nervous—it turns out we have an amazing community that have embraced the changes and grown larger.
BS: Yes, you need to be willing to look at a challenge and create change from it. I’ve learned that there are lots of great ideas but they mean nothing without brilliant execution!
Minted: What is the last think you think about before you go to sleep?
SD: Darn, I really should go to bed earlier …
BS: Did I let the dog out?
Minted: Final thought to share with readers?
SD & BS: You really can make a difference in someone’s life and that is what makes us love what we do.
Please visit Hybrid Her, read & watch Beth and Stacey’s story, find out how they give back, go shopping and find out how you can become a Hybrid Her Maven. You can also connect on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.
