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Bridgette Raes really is an inspiring entrepreneur, and I think this interview teaches valuable lessons. She went through the process of finding what she was meant to be doing with her life, and later opened and developed her business. She learned the importance of believing in herself, identifying the things she needed help with, getting help and learning how to sell the service she provides. I hope you enjoy reading and learning more about Bridgette and her business as I did interviewing her.

Bridgette Raes

Background

Bridgette Raes embarked on a career in fashion design after obtaining her degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology. Despite the glamorous trappings of her career, from her participation in important events to trips to Europe, Bridgette wasn’t completely satisfied with her work. After a few years in the industry Bridgette realized she wanted more from life, and set out to find a way to combine her love for fashion and style with her interest in making a difference. She found what she was looking for in the field of personal style consultation. She recently went back to FIT to study image consulting, and in September 2002, after ten years as a fashion designer, founded Bridgette Raes Style Group. Read more

One of the good things of being an entrepreneur and networking is that we can learn so much from each other’s experiences. This interview will walk you through the ways to start and grow a business from the point of view of a woman who also raised a family at the same time. Kristina Kossi talked to us about her experience, opening the Zinc Bar in partnership with her brother, finding the right place, creating a concept and a style, being a single mother and working unconventional hours. Kristina is certainly a role model to many women who want to open their own businesses at home or outside in any profession, raise a family and enjoy every moment.

Kristina Kossi

Starting a Business

Kristina and her brother Alex realized they would like to open a business together. She had been working full time at Estee Lauder for Clinique for several years as a consumer marketing professional, and always liked to figure out how to generate more businesses. Wondering how to do it for themselves, they first considered opening a place similar to Dean & Deluca and later a coffee bar. In their search to find a place, they found a location they realized would make a great bar. Opening a bar, Zinc Bar, became the new business concept.

While considering the name of the bar, Kristina remembered when she was in Paris and noticed that all bars had zinc tops. In addition, reading Ernest Hemingway, who would tell his friends to meet at the Zinc, which meant “at the bar” Kristina thought Zinc Bar would be perfect in representing Hemingway’s gathering place. Read more