Episode #20: The Entrepreneurial Story of Two Sisters: Lauren Dudley Stephens and Katherine Dudley McGrath
So excited to share my conversation with Lauren Dudley Stephens and Kaki Dudley McGrath. They are two sisters from Greenwich, Connecticut who have a really cool startup story!
Lauren and Kaki found themselves living in fleeces, whether it be on cooler summer nights in Nantucket, on ski trips in Vermont, or on boat rides on the Long Island Sound—they always wore fleeces for that extra warmth. The two kept wondering why fleeces couldn’t be more fashionable! So in 2015, they reimagined fleeces and launched Dudley Stephens—fleeces for women that can be worn casually or dressed up! I bought one back in December and I legit live in it; I find myself throwing it on as I walk to flywheel classes, run errands and go out with my friends. They are so comfortable AND flattering!
During our conversation, the Dudley sisters not only tell us about their entrepreneurial journey since 2015 but also life leading up to it—a testament that everything happens for a reason! Lauren was kind enough to share a personal story of how she and her husband struggled with infertility for two years. The creation of Dudley Stephens was her silver lining during that difficult time. We also talk about the different jobs Lauren and Kaki had leading up to Dudley Stephens and how they now apply those skills to their business (side note: Lauren worked in PR at Calvin Klein and dressed celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow). We talk about juggling the mom life and working full time (Kaki and Lauren both have two small children), what it’s like working with family, and so much more! I hope you guys enjoy my conversation with Lauren and Kaki as much as I did!
Books:
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
Oh Crap! Potty Training by Jamie Glowacki
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