Behind the Scenes with Noëlle

Meet Shannon Zimolong, Founder of Greystone Needlepoint Oct 30, 2024

From canvas to keepsake! Shannon Zimolong, my friend and entrepreneur is here today to share the story of how she founded Greystone Needlepoint. Shannon is a Main Line local who grew up in Bryn Mawr, PA and is an Agnes Irwin graduate so I love that she also founded her business here.
Shannon went to school out West but knew at heart she was an East Coast girl and returned after graduating from school in Colorado. It was during her time in Denver that she learned how to needlepoint but it would be many years before she turned that skill into Greystone Needlepoint.
We chat about her previous clothing line, Dakota Martin that she launched with fellow AIS alum, Lizzy Stall and the challenges & successes (sold globally in over 300 boutiques, including Intermix) they experienced while running a business as young 20-something year olds. We talk about the decision to close that business, her work in event planning and how she's always embraced the side hustle especially during early motherhood days.
Then we get a lesson in needlepoint and how Shannon's own search for a curated, modern needlepoint experience led her to found Greystone Needlepoint. Here's what I learned and now love about needlepoint..it is for everyone, you can put it down and return to it months later & begin again, it uses your hands and you can create something special for yourself or a loved one. There are so many benefits to needlepoint..including the community that Shannon has built over the last 4 years.
Shannon gives us a lesson in the many reasons why needlepoint is such a cathartic and creative outlet - my personal goal is to learn this January. I also love the community that she has built through needlepoint - there are stitch groups, travel opportunities, a book club and she will soon host local group events. We are so lucky that the new shop is located right here in Bryn Mawr and will host events but Shannon also has free guides available on her website so that anyone can download and begin to learn.
I hope that you check out Shannon's beautiful website and if you're local go see her brand new location!

Amy Guzzi, The Stylist Effect and Lewellyn Founder Oct 23, 2024

Amy Guzzi, stylist and founder of custom, Italian shirt brand Lewellyn joins me for a refreshing take on Fall 2024 fashion trends. Amy always loved fashion but her parents didn't love the idea of studying fashion and so she eventually began a career as a Special Education teacher in NYC. But after the birth of her oldest, she returned to her love and began a fashion blog in NYC called Joey & the Owl in 2013.
A move to Connecticut (where she currently resides) and being pregnant with her daughter, prompted her to hit pause on the blog but as she explains the social landscape was completely different when she decided to return and began her IG account. We discuss the challenges of women who have big careers and then take a break to be home with children and so many can relate to this change in identity.
Amy attributes her styling success to staying true to her self described "New England" style. While many others had that NYC edge, Amy stayed true to what she loved to wear and her business grew by word of mouth. Over the last 7 years she built a personal styling business, is a digital content creator and most recently the founder of Lewellyn, Italian custom shirts.
We talk about fashion trends, where to splurge, where to save...the must have color for every closet right now and what jeans to wear... all of this is wrapped up into this episode. Dont buy a thing until you listen! Permission is granted to wear your skinny jeans and keep them tucked into your boots too. We even review the oversize trend and who should/shouldnt wear.
I love Amy's real approach to fashion. As a mom, she understands the function piece but also the importance of coming back to yourself and getting dressed.
I hope you love this episode. Please dont forget to like this episode if it helped you and share with a friend. This helps me grow.
Noelle x

Meet Sabrina Rudin, Founder & Owner of Spring Cafe Aspen Oct 16, 2024

Have you eaten at the very delicious Spring Cafe Aspen (in either Aspen or NYC)? Then you are going to LOVE my episode with Sabrina Rudin. I am so VERY excited for you to hear my conversation with Sabrina Rudin, founder & owner of Spring Cafe Aspen. I have been cooking Sabrina's delightful recipes since 2017 and they remain staples in my own kitchen.
Sabrina's refreshing and nourishing approach to feeding her family of 5 will make you want to get right back into the kitchen to cook. This is also a reminder to be thoughtful about what we are feeding our kids. I know that even as an adult I feel so much better when I'm eating a certain way. We discuss having kids and navigating social food challenges that are unavoidable as our children get older and more independent. This is the reminder that I needed to keep offering better choices when at home and hopefully the kids keep coming back for more:) It's all about balance!
Sabrina's story begins in NYC (ironically right above the location of Spring Cafe Aspen) and then her family moves to a farm in NY during her childhood and eventually Sabrina returns to NYC for school, at which point a fellowship for which she applied doesn't work out. She makes a deal with her parents to move to Aspen for a year to teach skiing and the rest is history as they say!
Spring Cafe Aspen is now 11 years in which I love to highlight because it was not an overnight success. There are 8 years between the first location in Aspen and the opening of a 2nd location in NYC and they weathered the covid storm...opening a restaurant right before the world shut! This story is so good. I hope you go and follow @springbysabrina @springcafeaspen
And if you're in NYC, pop in for a delicious smoothie, salad, soup and dessert. And if you're out west this season, visit their Aspen location. And most of all I hope you start making Sabrina's recipes in your own kitchen. Thai(ish) Red Curry bowl is on repeat in my house along with her crumble!

Jane Winchester Paradis, Jane Win jewelry Founder Oct 09, 2024

Jane Winchester Paradis serves WISDOM this week to kick off Season 2 of BTS with Noelle! What a delightful and joy filled conversation about starting over multiple times in (your 20's, 30's and 40's and beyond!) and building a beautiful business from the ground up. Not only will you fall in love with the jewelry if you haven't shopped her collection before but you will immediately fall in love with Jane. You can't help but be inspired by her authenticity, honesty and creativity.
Jane's ability to convey a story through each piece is likely a culmination of her innate appreciation for a teacher's storytelling (early education), and her Art History studies along with her rich career experiences in NYC including (founding & eventually closing a handbag business in her 20's) and a 12 year long career at Lilly Pulitzer. While Lilly Pulitzer was a corporate setting, Jane credits them with instilling in her the importance of having core values before even beginning to think about a business strategy. It was there that she was mentored, learned how to run a profitable business and eventually became Senior Vice President of Marketing.
Now in it's 7th year, Jane candidly shares the finances it took to start the business and how having a profitable business allows her the flexibility to create and give in meaningful and impactful ways to organizations with which Jane Win aligns. Her Share the Love Charitable Series is currently supporting Breast Cancer Alliance during the month of October. Please visit the website here to shop the collection:
https://janewin.com/collections/share-the-love-charitable-pendants?srsltid=AfmBOoqEt19SptXVEVyTa-Q_Ta378LZAPX0TKvaYC-JyBejAtsoEZHsz
I personally have many takeaways from this conversation but most importantly are the below:
-Consistent Persistence- Jane talks about the early days and how she had to create every opportunity & luck for her business. Now she shares the excitement of opportunities that come to her!
-Joy-filled approach to business- it's supposed to be fun!
Please enjoy this episode. And if you have a minute to give it a 5 Start rating this helps me grow!
Thank you,
Noelle xx

Meet Lauren Addis/ LAA Art Collective, Founder Jul 18, 2024

My friend, Lauren Addis joins us for a thoughtful conversation about Art; from curation of art in the home to building collections to navigating the digital art world and everything in between; including the perfect hanging height (listen for the ideal number), the importance of framing and the magic of mixing textures, colors and mediums in a room.
Lauren's interest in Art was nurtured by her parents from a young age. This exposure & love of Art inspired her to major in Art History & Sociology and have minors in Ceramics & Women's studies at Gettysburg College.
From her early PR career days in NYC working for Tiffany & Co, Lauren most appreciated the artistry, design & legacy of the brand to her move to Philly and working for Urban Outfitters, the through line has always been this devotion to Art. While at Urban, Lauren launched a corporate art gallery by showcasing local emerging artists...and it was this program that eventually led Lauren to the decision to focus full time on Art Advisory and LAA Art Collective was built!
Lauren's warm, friendly and stress free approach to collecting Art combined with her expert eye and beautiful sense of style make her your perfect match for Art Advisory. You will learn so much in just this one episode!
After listening to this episode I hope that you pick up something special this summer from your travels, museum visits or your local gallery to hang on your walls. And if you're local, pop into LAA Art Collective.
Find Lauren:
@laa_artcollective
122 E. Lancaster Ave. Wayne, PA
www.laurenanrigaddis.com

Meet Alston & Leigh, founders of Habitual Hostess Jul 11, 2024

Hit send on that invite to friends & family and host that get together! You're going to devour this conversation with my guests today. Alston & Leigh met about 25 years ago as freshman at the University of Alabama! Their long lasting friendship brought them to NYC immediately following college and then eventually they both landed in Connecticut, where they are raising their families and launched Habitual Hostess. Their respective backgrounds in PR, Special Events, Advertising, & Photography have expertly influenced the creation of Habitual Hostess...beautiful images, family friendly meals, entertaining tips and their uncomplicated but very lovely take on hosting makes this one of my favorite follows.
If you have a friend and have ever thought about starting something together, I love their story because it showcases that with time (they originally had this idea back in their NYC days) and hard work and flexibility you can really start something special.
This conversation is equal parts education (entertaining must haves, kitchen must haves) (recipes), hilarious (we laugh so much-I fully admit my shortcomings in my personal kitchen) and just plain fun. Its so refreshing and reassuring to hear from the experts that you don't have to be perfect to host...remember if you are hosting, get yourself dressed, get yourself some gloves...and run that dishwasher about 3- 4 hours before your guests arrive!
Enjoy! x

Solo Episode - Best of List from my recent interviews Jun 27, 2024

I couldn't release one more episode without doing this Best of List from my last 11 interviews. Each episode is filled to the brim with expertise, knowledge and action items that I wanted to highlight some of my personal favorite pieces of advice. I have some amazing guests scheduled for the rest of Season 1 and Season 2 kicks off in September. Thank you for a being a part of this! Please like, share and follow so that I can continue to grow and share these brilliant stories with you. xo

Part 2 with Natalie Strahorn /The MVMT Society Founder & Entrepreneur Jun 20, 2024

I have become increasingly aware of aging in my 40s and am always interested in learning & sharing about Women's Health. Natalie Strahorn is back for Part 2 this week to focus on exactly those topics. You're going to want to take notes because Natalie's uncomplicated, realistic and holistic approach to women's health is so easy to digest.
Whether you're interested in weight loss or preventative health protocols, I think you are going to really enjoy this episode. Natalie gives action items that everyone (even busy moms) can do, gives us the 5 Major Components to getting into the best shape of your life, and reminds us of the fact that disease in the body starts long before symptoms present. This is your reminder to take care of yourself. Natalie even gets me to share the not so healthy lunch item that my kids take to school each day!
Listen to this episode if you're interested in:
Women's Health
Fitness-what workouts / how many steps should we be taking?
Nutrition-specifically what to eat
Holistic Health Approaches
Aging well
Weight loss
Looking & feeling your best
Ending the constant food /fitness internal dialogue
This is like your personal one on one health coaching call AND lucky for all of us Natalie is taking on one on one clients. And she is offering Group Coaching too. Learn more here https://www.nataliestrahornnutrition.com/
I hope you enjoy this episode & remember to take good care of yourself. xo

Meet Natalie Strahorn / The MVMNT Society Founder, Holistic Health Coach, Entrepreneur Jun 13, 2024

We all have summer on the brain which means showing more skin & more importantly feeling good in our skin...enter Natalie Strahorn, founder of The MVMNT Society, Holistic Health Coach & Entrepreneur. Natalie is your new BFF who wants you to look & feel your best. Not only is she a wellness & fitness expert but she was SO incredibly generous with her time and came back to chat with me so that we could film a second episode devoted entirely to WOMEN's HEALTH. We recorded this right after MDW, which for me was overly indulgent in all of my favorite summer favorites; ice cream, gin & tonics, sandwiches & chips on the beach and chilled rose. Natalie gives us the truth when it comes to weight loss & health in our 40s and beyond.
In this episode we learn about Natalie's business. It's hard to believe that she was at one point selling insurance! She always had a love of fashion and magazines from a young age and credits her hustle mentality & determination for her success in NYC. After being told NO by a magazine, a chance encounter in an elevator led Natalie to landing her dream job in the fashion industry. From NYC to the Hamptons to taking her first barre class which sparked her love of fitness & return to taking care of her own body.
I love Natalie's story because it is a true testament to what she has built. In this episode Natalie discusses the challenges of being in a job that isn't the right fit, the surprising piece of business advice about franchises AND we spend time on health & top level nutrition. Natalie even gives us the number #1 missing item on all of our plates.
Not only is she absolutely gorgeous - she is a beauty inside & out. Please enjoy, please share with women & please review my show so that I can continue to grow.

Meet Haven Duddy / Real Estate, Motherhood & Wardrobe Transformation Jun 06, 2024

Meet Haven Duddy..Mom, Real Estate Agent & Founder. Haven was most recently recognized for being in the top 1/2 of the top 1% of all 45,000 Berkshire Hathaway Fox & Roach agents!! She is also the brains behind all things Home, Interior, Lifestyle & Fashion that is Main Line Haven. Haven & I met many years ago when our older kids were in preschool and we were both pregnant. I remember as soon as I met Haven I instantly loved her authenticity and humor... she never sweats the small stuff and has a deep appreciation for what's truly important in life & living well. Haven is the friend who challenges me to keep going - and I am so grateful!
Fast forward almost a decade, and Haven knowing my previous career in the fashion industry tapped me to assist in editing her own closet. Instagram had quickly become a real estate business resource for Haven and she decided to invest in her wardrobe. Haven's audience was asking about her clothes and what she was wearing. She recognized that the audience was interested not only in real estate but the fashion piece too. This is the story of how Haven's old approach to shopping often led to the feeling of a closet full of clothes with nothing to wear.
In today's episode Haven shares expert real estate advice for buyers, sellers and for anyone considering renovations in their own homes. And Haven shares how her shift in mindset about clothing & the current overconsumption model that we are witnessing today doesn't serve her longterm goals for her wardrobe. I hope you enjoy this episode...it really is like listening in on a conversation between friends.
Please take a moment to review my podcast so that we can continue to grow.

Meet Brooke Ray / Founder of Locust Lane Rugs May 30, 2024

Meet Brooke Ray and fall in love with her beautiful company, Locust Lane Rugs. Brooke's multigenerational rugs & heirloom pieces are meant be in your homes & families for many, many years. If you have ever designed or decorated a home, you probably have spent a lot of time looking at and searching for the perfect rug. We all know that when you find the right rug it can not only anchor the room but it can be a true showstopper. But you probably also know how painstaking that process is...Brooke has truly changed the way you can shop for your next rug. Brooke is your new go to expert when it comes to rugs in your home. She gives us the best cleaning tips, and huge time saving tips when shopping for your next rug. Where to put them, what materials we should be using in which rooms and SIZING- one of the most important parts of the rug puzzle. And Brooke gives us permission to just enjoy your rugs, host the party, serve the food and don't worry...the red wine will come out! Her number one tip- do not buy a rug that is too small!
Brooke is a mother of 3, lives in Huntsville Alabama with her family and had a previous career in education. At one point in time Brooke's journey led her to Ethiopia where she was writing textbooks!! Enjoy this knowledge filled episode and definitely listen to this before you make your next rug purchase. Visit LocustLaneRugs.com and get ready for a completely enjoyable and personalized shopping experience.
Don't forget to rate this episode..this helps my podcast grow! xx

Meet Brie Tammaro / Boutique Owner, N.18 Boutique in Summit, N.J. May 23, 2024

This is for my fashion lovers and shoppers!! What a TREAT. If you're planning on shopping for Spring & Summer pieces, be sure to listen to this episode first. Get ready for an education today. Brie has the rare combination of having an extensive background in business, design and fashion merchandising as well as a creative, stylish point of view. We chat about Brie's impressive fashion background (her NYC based career had her traveling often to Europe), her risky decision to open a brick & mortar store, No.18 Boutique in 2014 and how she has been able to grow the business. Brie is open about her infertility issues and her journey to motherhood along with how she navigates being a mom and business owner.
Confused and shocked by the escalating prices on designer pieces, specifically hand bags? Listen to this episode and learn about what is happening behind the scenes and if your dollar is really buying value. We also share where to invest and discuss mutual love of YSL & the master himself, Jonathan Simkhai.
This is the best conversation because it's the perfect combination of business advice along with tools to help the everyday shopper learn what to buy. Brie creates your Spring/ Summer shopping list and takes the guess work out of the search! Get ready to be inspired to work hard and look fabulous. Brie's story is SO good!! I hope she comes back in the Fall to do a Fall Capsule Wardrobe for us.

Meet Eleanor Leftwich / Farmer to Fashion Brand Builder May 16, 2024

Meet Eleanor Leftwich! Did you know that Eleanor wanted to be President of the United States? I love this goal. Eleanor is a mother of 4 children, runs a family farm and recently launched a beautiful womenswear collection that is equally beautiful & practical; taking you from work and meetings to dinner. You may have found Eleanor on IG because of her impressive, museum worthy vintage collection however, you most likely have stayed because of the tremendous insight she provides. Eleanor shares what it takes to go from idea to product and how she leveraged seemingly unrelated fashion relationships to create her beautiful collection of knitwear, dresses, blazers & more.
Like Eleanor, I value the quality of clothes and am always on the search for pieces that will live many lives in my closet. Eleanor shares expert tips on collecting vintage clothing and chats openly about the quality of clothing that is available and what the discerning customer can expect when they purchase her lovely pieces.
Eleanor shares her philosophy of clothing and how some of her vintage pieces truly are her art..potentially to be in a museum one day. And how this is the year of YES for Eleanor. I hope you join Eleanor and make it your year of YES too.
Enjoy!

Meet Erin Donahue Tice / Abstract Artist & Mini Empire Builder May 09, 2024

Erin's story is magic! She is proof that you can not only learn new skills as an adult but turn them into a business. There are many reasons why I love this story but what I love most is that Erin is self taught. While decorating her own home and in the middle of having babies, Erin taught herself to paint as a creative outlet. She visited her local art store and asked questions and just tried. Erin knows what it means to go of it & find something that truly lights you up. We talk about the importance of having those hobbies and work outside of motherhood. Erin gives us all a lesson in purchasing art for our own homes & how she thinks about adding pieces into her own collection. And guess what., you dont need an unlimited budget to have a beautiful personal art collection! And we of course talk about how she juggles motherhood while building an empire of Art, Textiles & Home Decor.
This episode is especially meaningful as Erin is just shy of being a month out from a 9 day hospital stay for a very serious bacterial infection & one of the scariest things she's ever gone through. Her amazing recovery and reentry back into her world of Art, Textiles and Table Top is so impressive to witness.
We are both former PR girls and really just had so much fun chatting. I hope you enjoy this episode and follow Erin to see her beautiful, playful pops of color and gorgeous textured Art that is such a delight!

Meet Heather Davey Fusco / Priss & Vinegar Founder May 02, 2024

This conversation was like catching up with an old girlfriend! Heather's voice and storytelling is the reason I approached her to chat with me. The smart content she is producing feels refreshing in what can sometimes be a saturated abyss. Heather gives us access to the humble beginnings of Priss & Vinegar and shares her story of how the pandemic caused her & her husband to reevaluate their California life and make a huge cross country move with their 3 children. I love this story because Heather embraces change and shares great advice on how to just get started! We cover the cross country move, the sweetness of baby #3, how to showcase (hopefully) good cell phone habits in front of our (respective) tweens (who don't have cell phones), spring must haves - she gives us one great surprise staple for your wardrobe, the power of our mindset & monetization, we cover home interiors & a very special addition to her bedroom that we should all have (hint it has to do with coffee). It was a delight speaking to Heather...I hope you enjoy this episode. Please like & share this podcast so that we can continue to grow.

Meet Natalie Steen / Founder of The Nat Note Apr 25, 2024

I'm thrilled to bring you my conversation with Natalie Steen, founder of the Nate Note. Like me, if this is your favorite Monday newsletter to drop in your inbox then you are in for a treat today. Natalie shares how she began this as a creative outlet to counter balance & wind down after intense work as an attorney. Natalie explains how she taught herself how to create her now signature collage graphics & shares how she is expanding her business through brand collaborations & partnerships. If you have ever wondered about the story of how the Nat Note came to be or would like behind the scenes intel on brand partnerships this is the episode for you. And of course Natalie shares her fashion & shopping philosophies with us. We even have a surprise guest appearance by one of Natalie's children showcasing exactly what it means to run a business & be a mom. I have always loved Natalie's punchy, colorful and inventive take on styling and it was so much fun to chat with her. I hope you enjoy this episode. Please like & share the podcast so that I can continue to grow. Noelle xx

Meet Jen Ward / Founder of Ward Vintage Apr 18, 2024

You all know by now that I love jewelry so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to speak with Jennifer Ward, founder of Ward Vintage. Ward Vintage is a go to for all vintage jewelry. Jen's previous experience in the magazine / fashion industry is apparent in her expertly curated selection of vintage jewelry.
I love our conversation because we chat about the early days of the company, both the challenges and rewards of being a mom & running a business and Jen educates us on jewelry terminology & trends. Grab your pen or open notes on your phone to write down the amazing tips Jen offers in this episode. I learned so much and I hope you do too. Mother's Day is just around the corner so we thought this was the perfect time to share this episode. I hope you treat yourselves, Moms! xx
Jen's collection spans the 20th Century and features vintage bracelets, necklaces, earrings and brooches in an array of styles ranging from bold pendant necklaces to subtle, beautifully crafted formal earrings to everyday bangles and cuffs.

Some featured designers:

Chanel, Trifari, Miriam Haskell, Lanvin, Boucher, Napier, Monet, Givenchy, Avon, Kenneth Jay Lane, Panetta, Ciner Whiting & Davis, Vendome and Alice Caviness amongst others.

Solo Episode on London / Paris Street Style Apr 12, 2024

I'm just back from our spring break where we visited London and Paris with our 3 kids. And I am happy to report that I returned to my own closet feeling reassured & committed to wearing what I have & getting off the consumption train! My hope is that after you listen to this episode you look at your own closets with renewed appreciation. I've created a simple shopping list for short term purchases to guide you into Spring & offer my insight about what to think about for long term, strategic investments and the best news is that over the summer is a really good time to make some of these purchases. I hope you enjoy this one. xx

Meet Kristin Kennedy / Former EIC of Seventeen Magazine / Multi-Platform Brand Builder Apr 11, 2024

Today the former Editor in Chief of Seventeen Magazine, Kristin Kennedy joins me for an honest conversation about big career dreams, building a business, style on a budget & juggling motherhood. You are going to get a masterclass in digital content creation! If you grew up loving magazines and wondering how it all works...this is a conversation for you. Kristin dreamt of becoming Editor in Chief of a magazine as a child and today shares her not so linear path to fulfilling that glamorous dream. We discuss the challenges of saying goodbye each day to babies to fulfill our own career goals and how important it is to go after dreams as adults. We chat about the concept of starting small and why she ultimately decided to leave her EIC Role (while she had 3 young children) and build a business of her own. Kristin is so talented, disciplined and honest about how to make it all work. We hope you leave this conversation inspired to work hard & just keep going. And to shop off season...this will make you & your closet very happy!

Meet Meeghan Mullin Apr 04, 2024

Welcome to the launch of Behind the Scenes with Noelle. I'm thrilled you're here and thought there was no better way to kick off the launch than with local fashion, beauty, lifestyle Main Line darling, Meeghan Mullin. Meeghan gives her surprise background story here and how she became a Tiktok & Instagram success with a simple (but not easy) mind shift. Meeghan discusses her growing business and give actionable steps for anyone interested in a similar creative role. She also creates a capsule wardrobe for every closet and takes me through simple makeup steps that even I can follow. I hope you enjoy this conversation. And don't forget to check back next week for episode 2. Please share and subscribe to my podcast.

Behind the Scenes Trailer Mar 20, 2024

Hi, It's Noelle and I'm so glad you're here. After many years working in the fashion industry in NYC & LA, I built a private personal styling business on the Main Line of Philadelphia. And after many conversations about style & business, I launched this podcast. I cannot wait to share my guests with you! I think that when we learn from these exceptional women we we can collectively look good, feel good & do good in the world. xo

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