July 13, 2023 • 36 mins
Dr. Mailhiot steps into the world of interior design and explores the story of two remarkable women who are transforming spaces and empowering others through their creativity, sisterhood, and unwavering passion. The Baroness podcast interviews owners of the boutique design firm WidellBoschetti, Barette Widell, and Christina Boschetti. These two women are redefining the interior design industry while fostering a sense of togetherness, the transformative power of following one's dreams, embracing individuality, creating spaces that reflect beauty and functionality, and celebrating the power of women. @WIDELLBOSCHETTI • widellboschetti.com
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Unknown (00:01):
Welcome to Rowan College at Burlington County's
Baroness Podcast. I'm Dr. BrookeMailhiot program chair and
assistant professor of ourentertainment technologies
department. I'm the co chair ofthe Women's Advocacy Group a
subcommittee of the President'sAdvisory Council on diversity,
equity and inclusion. Thismonthly series highlights women
in leadership while encouraginglisteners to build their skills,
(00:23):
connect with the community andvisualize the opportunities
available to women in variousprofessions. Tune in for a
female perspective on theBurlington County community. We
are here to listen to theseamazing women and if you want to
hear from women who lead andinspire this podcast is for you.
Welcome to our July podcast thismonth, we are honoring women,
(00:46):
Dream visions, real spaces and achance to meet up at a park. We
have two amazing women with usBarette Widell and Christina
Boschetti and they are theowners of a boutique design firm
based here in Morrestown, butthey're more than that they're
international influencers.They're dynamic, they're
inspirational. They'remotivational, we have a formal
(01:07):
ballerina dancer, and a fashiondesigner morphed into this power
couple. Thank you, ladies forjoining me today. Thanks for
having us. Why don't we talkabout this chance meeting in the
park? How the two of you cametogether and put this vision of
this amazing interior designteam together? How did you know
(01:28):
that? It would like become this?I mean, I guess you didn't know
it was going to become this. Butthat chance meeting in a park?
How did you know that it wasgoing to just come into
something? I always haveChristina talk about this story.
Because I really we've talkedabout it so many times. So why
don't you take the mic? Okay, soI had just moved here from New
(01:48):
York to Philly. And I knew noone. So I took a long walk one
day, and I went to the park witha friend. And we I met Barrett
and she was literally all overthe place. She had her three
dogs. She had her mom, she hadher 11 month old son running
around. And I was like who isthis crazy person? And why is
she here in the park? I was alsothe only one in the park. Right?
(02:10):
It was it's a very small park.Like literally you wouldn't even
know like this lonely Park andthere's this wild lady. And now
you've kind of exchanged dogsfor alpacas, but we'll get
there. So you met her? What wasit about her? The fact that she
was running around like crazy. Iwas like, Who is this person?
How come I haven't met her yet.She lives down the street for
(02:32):
me. And it turns out, she hadalready started this event
design business. But she hadtold me that she was moving and
I'm like, wait a second, holdon, this can't be happening, you
can't move. And that's why shewas in the park. She was
actually about to sell herhouse. She was showing her
house. So that's why the wholecrew was in the park with her.
(02:53):
Um, so we had just talked andkind of looked at her Instagram
and just she was just showing mewhat she has done. And I left
the park saying, oh my gosh, Iyou know, I called my husband
and I'm like, I think I just metmy business partner. And she
actually did the same with hermom. Even though she was moving.
(03:14):
We both said the same thing. Andit was kind of like the stars
were aligned. She didn't end upselling the house. Yeah, well, I
mean, I so I had started thislittle company out of
desperation. I used to be aprofessional ballet dancer. And
when I retired, I took a job ina corporation as an event
coordinator. Long story short, Ibasically was forced out of my
(03:37):
position when I told them that Iwas expecting and ultimately
then was left with nothing. SoChris and I had just bought our
house in Philly, a brand new carfor you know, expanding our
family and all of these things.And now I have no job and I have
no money. So I out ofdesperation started event
designing and planning becausewe had just gotten married. I
(03:59):
knew that I could do that. Sure.And I you were reinventing
yourself, right? How do I dothis? Exactly. And I have no
like background in anythingbesides being a professional
ballet dancer. So no one's gonnahire me for any job. Really. I
didn't go to college. I don'thave any skills besides that,
that I knew of right at thatmoment. So I started this event
design company but quicklyrealizing that I wanted a friend
(04:20):
and a partner. I had my son withme I didn't have a nanny, he was
with me all the time. And I wasa bit lonely and just kind of
wanting to figure this out withsomebody, but I couldn't find
anyone that like the right fit.So when I met Christina in the
park, she just started talkingabout like her life and her
background briefly and I I feltlike a lot of our lives kind of
(04:40):
Inger intermingled sure and wenever even like knew each other
but she was talking about thingsthat like I also was interested
in or I was doing and we likedsimilar things and it just
seemed like a lot of our pastlife was like parallel to each
other. And you just kind of hadthis connection. Yeah, so I left
that day.
And I was like, Oh my gosh,like, that is who I want as my
(05:03):
business partner, like, that'stotally who I should be working
with. But at the same time, atthis point, I thought I was
going to be moving to Las Vegas,and trying to basically start
that business there. But thenlong story short, we ended up
not moving to Vegas. And thenthat's when Christina and I
decided to meet and talk aboutthe potential of working
(05:25):
together and like, what is that?
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (05:27):
Did everybody think like you met
this crazy woman at a park? Andyou're gonna, like, go into
business together? Were theylike, what's wrong with you? Or
did they say, wow, like,
Unknown (05:36):
I think everyone, I think everyone thought we were
crazy, just in general, becausewe just like didn't even know
what we were doing. Okay. Butalso, yeah, but at the same
time, I feel like our husbandswere like, okay, whatever.
They didn't, they actuallydidn't question it at all.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (05:48):
Yeah, so great.
Unknown (05:50):
I mean, before I met, Christina, people kind of
laughed at me like, Oh, you'regonna be a wedding designer?
Yeah, sure. Like the jack of alltrades, master of none, kind of,
because I was like, I was adancer, I'm going to start this
design company. I'm going tomake it a lifestyle company,
we're going to do weddings,parties, and interiors. And
(06:10):
they're like, yeah, good luckwith that. And so I think a lot
of people did not at all thinkthat this would be where it is
today. So
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (06:18):
how did we more from event planner,
ballerina, fashion designer towhat you're doing today?
Unknown (06:27):
I mean, it was really funny, Christina. And I, you
know, as we started working, weput together a portfolio
basically, to show things thatwe've done, which mainly were
our own interiors, and then afew parties that we had done,
and also like our weddings. Sowe put that together. And we
went to a meeting with a vintagerental company. And we were
(06:48):
sitting there talking to them.And we had Hudson and Dylan with
us. Because again, both of uswere moms working moms. Yeah, we
had no help. Yeah, so we broughtour kids you gotta do Yeah, we
brought our kids with us. Wewent through this presentation.
And as we're going through thepresentation, they, they kind of
stopped and they're like, youknow, your parties are cute and
everything. But can we talkabout the interiors that you
guys have done? Like these arereally like different and
(07:09):
unique? And that's kind of whenwe kind of looked at each other?
And we're like, wow, peopleactually are paying attention to
our interiors. I think in termsof both of us, we thought no one
would take us seriously withinteriors, because we had no
formal background.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (07:23):
Right. But it just clicked you did less
unique perspective, this uniquestyle. They caught on, you
obviously caught on and saw thatthere was this pathway to do
yes.
Unknown (07:33):
I think that was our first, like, boost of hope there
that like yeah, competent. Yeah.
And the minute we decided thatwe don't want to do event design
anymore, we didn't get a callfor it. It was just strictly
interiors. So we literally justput it out there and it came.
Yeah.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (07:53):
So you just like manifest? Yeah, let's do a
design. I've
Unknown (07:58):
already been manifesting everything. And she
knows like, I'll put things outthere. And it does usually
happen.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (08:03):
So tell me what's manifesting. Now in your
portfolio? What do you guys aredoing? What's been like
something that's been reallyamazing for the two of you to be
a part of?
Unknown (08:16):
So I would say that, you know, what we definitely are
manifesting right now are largeprojects and large budgets,
because obviously, that takesdesigned to a different level.
Sure. So we do only focus now onfull home projects. We've
created other services, though,that can still target clients
that want to do smallerprojects. So we're not, you
(08:36):
know, not hitting that market aswell. But our goal at the
company is to be a full scalefull service, and only take on a
certain amount of projects ayear. So that's kind of what
we're trying to get to rightnow. We have probably 30
projects under our belt, itwould be lovely if we had under
10 But that all comes with timeand being seasoned and meeting
(08:57):
the right you know, clients thenthat refer you to the right
clients. But unless you want toadd to that, I feel like that's
what we're kind of manifestingat the moment.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (09:06):
What's your favorite thing to design
Christina?
Unknown (09:11):
My favorite thing to design I love designing beach
houses I think because I lovethe beach and I love the water.
We don't often get to do it asmuch because there's already a
niche in like the shore area butwe would love to get into the
Hamptons because we feel likethat's a bit more of our vibe
vibe and target client. So Iwant to bear I want you to put
(09:36):
it out there man.
I just I just had a callyesterday with someone in the
Hamptons. Yeah festa I went liveyesterday on Instagram just I'm
very random when it comes toInstagram. I do not have it
scheduled out and yesterday Iwas like you know what, I'm just
gonna go live and do a get readywith me. And I got a call or an
email that set up a call andthen I spoke with her night and
(09:58):
it is a project in the Hamptons.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (10:00):
So why don't you tell everybody where
they can follow you on all yoursocials? Because?
Unknown (10:05):
Oh, that's a good one. Yeah. Well, you can follow us on
Instagram. It's wide elbow.Shadi. That's really our only
social that we do is Instagram.Tick tock is not really Yeah.
Yeah, I can't even bear willsend me a tick tock and I won't
even be able to watch it.Because for some reason I signed
up with like a different name orsomething. I have no idea. But
Instagram
is our biggest for sure. Yeah.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (10:25):
What's been your favorite project to work
on? Barrett?
Unknown (10:28):
That's a hard one. I mean, my favorites in my house.
We always say that for
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (10:33):
yourself. Kind of manipulated how you
want, you don't have somebodyoverusing I like or I don't like
it's you. That's the end allclient, right, right.
Unknown (10:41):
100%. And it's just been really fun to create
something that I am sopassionate about. And I know
that Christina feels the sameabout her own project, meaning
her own house. But I woulddefinitely say that that has
been my favorite also, becausenot only have I touched
interiors, but now I'm touchingexteriors, which is something
that we don't do a lot of. Andthat's been a really great
(11:03):
learning experience for me.Yeah. And something that I'm now
thinking differently about aswell. So that has been a great
project. But you know, workingwith, I would say Ben Simmons
was a life, like changingexperience for for us,
obviously, you know, he's anathlete and someone that people
(11:24):
know, worldwide. So that wasreally huge for Christina and I
to have a client of that level,you know, of right and known and
right. And that got you in
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (11:35):
Architectural Digest. And you're in Philly
mag, and you got to work withhim. And yeah, you did a really,
really cool setup there thatyeah,
Unknown (11:43):
and we've worked with him now, so many times. And he's
the type of client that werespect him a lot. Also, just as
a person and working with us.He's a very, under like,
understanding client when itcomes to the design and trusting
in Christina and I and ourvision. And he really lets us do
what you know, what we see isbest for him. So we really
(12:05):
respect him in terms of that andbeing our client. And we've
built this relationship withHim. That is something that we
want to build with all of ourclients, where it's really where
they're their designer for allof their homes. They don't just
use us for like one project. Sothat's been really nice. So
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (12:20):
it's really nice that you say about, like
your clients go to you withtheir visions and your visions?
Where do you get all yourinspiration for your visions? Is
there a place? Is there anartist? Is there an author? Is
it just walking down the street,and it comes to you? Where are
you getting inspired for theseamazing projects,
Unknown (12:39):
we get inspired pretty much everywhere. But Instagram
obviously is like a huge, huge,huge wave for designers to get
inspiration because we havedesigners that we really love
and kind of cherish. And really,it's all visual, yeah, it's all
visual. And it's kind of like weput together these mood boards
for the clients based on thebones of their home and like
(13:01):
what we think their aestheticis. And based on that, we will
give them three different moodsto choose from. And then they
give us the feedback based onthe moods. So that's how we
start designing.
And I feel like the moods eveninspire us to write like as
we're putting them together andinspires us. But Instagram has
been huge because it's visual,obviously travel is another way.
(13:23):
And fashion, I would say too.Right?
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (13:25):
And that's kind of your section of
starting. So what do you thinkyou brought from being? I know
you went to Parsons? And what doyou think your area of expertise
is bringing that to thedefinitely
Unknown (13:38):
the textile portion of it with the fabrics and the
fabrications and knowing whatwill will work with that curve
so far, and the content and evencleanability and etc. I also
think like I understand, youknow, the manufacturing of all
of our custom stuff, because wedo a ton of custom, a lot like
(14:02):
mostly all our soft goods, whichmeans couches, chairs, ottomans.
We do hard goods too, butbasically from like the having
the fashion background, likeit's very easy for me to pick up
on the way things aremanufactured.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (14:19):
And I think you're so you're both are really
inspiring because at the levelsof where you are, I mean it
you've been really worldwide,going and designing for all
different things and types ofhouses and people and clients
and know how to work withpeople. I think that's one of
the most biggest things in thecreatives industry.
Unknown (14:40):
It's also the hardest to Yeah, every client is so
different. And
how does that how do you how tohave fun personality? Yeah,
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (14:46):
how do you how do you? How do you do that?
How do you handle that? I
Unknown (14:49):
just think that I was even saying this on the phone
yesterday to the potentialclient that we're very down to
earth humble humans. And I thinkultimately we just want to be
transparent and honest at alltimes and all costs, and, you
know, unfortunately, you can'talways please everybody and even
us just being the best that wecan and trying to please that
client, sometimes it's justnever gonna happen. But we do
(15:13):
really genuinely care about eachproject that we work on and each
client that we work with, and,you know, having a good
relationship with them. So atthe end of the day, I just know
that we both go to bed at night,knowing that we've done our
best. But you know, we do enjoypeople, and we are people,
people. Yeah. And I think we'reeasy to talk to, I think
(15:34):
there's, you know, a lot ofdesigners out there that what I
hear from other clients thatmaybe we're working with, that
have worked with designers isthat sometimes it's really hard
to talk to them, because youknow, they have this like error
about them, or they don't wantto talk about budgets, like
Christina and I are just veryrealistic. We understand that,
you know, no matter how wealthyyou are, there's always going to
(15:57):
be a number. And we're happy towork within these numbers or
help educate clients aboutnumbers. And, again, we're just
very easy people, I think, totalk to, because I think people
see us on social media alsobeing just ourselves, whether
it's goofy, or we're going totalk about like, the hard times.
Sure. So we just try to be real.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (16:17):
Yeah, I mean, because it's not always
rainbows and sunshine, likeyou've worked very, very hard to
where you to get to where youare today. And I think what's
really nice too, is, you know,in your organization, you have
young designers, and you helpbuild those designers up and you
give them a space forcreativity. What are some things
that you would say to youngdesigners that are looking to
(16:40):
break into this space of design?What kind of motivation or
inspiration would you give them?
Unknown (16:49):
I mean, when we started, you know, it's kind of
sad to say, but like we did alot for free. And that's kind of
what we tell people all thetime. Or, like, if you want to
get into the industry, andyou're not working for some big
firm, then that you're gonnaleave and then start your own
thing and get all thatexperience, which we never did,
you really kind of have to putit out there. And you're gonna
have to kind of give yourselfand you know, use Instagram as a
(17:11):
tool, start posting lots ofpictures that maybe just inspire
you, because you don't have aportfolio. So you know, post
other designers, and reach outto them ask questions, do a
bookcase, go to a store andtake, you know, video of
beautiful things that you like,it's just really about putting
yourself out there and trying toget those clients by them seeing
(17:34):
ultimately what your vision is.Because like, when we started
out, we didn't have a portfolio.You know, we were just sometimes
even styling couches withpillows, like, Yeah, we had to
kind of make things seem biggerthan they were to get people
then to see what our ultimatevision was, and then use us.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (17:50):
What would you tell your younger self? Now
that you know where you are? Tokeep doing what what would you
tell your younger self?
Unknown (17:59):
I would just say keep trucking, because it is not
easy. And it's a lot of work.And it's a lot of like brain
energy. And it's just, it's justa lot and you really can't think
about how much it is right? Youjust have to keep going and
don't look back. And that's whatbear and I have done this whole
(18:21):
entire process. So you know,eight years of working together,
Chuck and yeah, and
you can't talk and it's hard notto take it personally to when
it's your own business.
A whole nother level. Yeah, Idon't take anything personally,
you've
got any more. I feel like, yeah,we've gotten so much better. You
gotta let it roll off your back.Right? Yeah. Because I mean,
we're only as good as our lastproject and also our referrals.
So that's another thing. Solike, when we have a client,
(18:43):
let's say that it doesn't endthe way that we want it to end.
You know, that does hit youhard, because obviously you
think about the referrals andall of those things. But again,
when you know if you're going tobed at night, and you know you
did your best, that's all thatyou can do.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (18:58):
I love that, you know, it's the when
you go to bed at night, justlooking at yourself and saying,
I tried my best. This is what Igave this is what I do. And
what's interesting is, you knowthe together when when you guys
work together and you look onyour socials, you're you're such
a good sisterhood. And I can saysisterhood, right? I feel like
(19:20):
the two of you come together andyou collaborate like your
sisters. What happens whenthere's a, you know, heads heads
buttheads, and maybe you don't,maybe you don't like somebody
else's design or couch there.
Unknown (19:35):
It's never we never it's never about aesthetic, I
would say I mean, we give eachother advice. But like the only
sort of like tiffs is justabout, you know, obviously
running a business. It's twoheads. Sure, we're very type A
personalities, but we justrespect each other. So we never
really get to that level wherewe're actually like, Wait, like
(19:58):
fighting or arguing about something we just we come to,
there's always a solution. So wecome to that relatively quickly.
So we don't waste time debating.
It's funny because, you know,Christina and I are very
different people. But we're alsoextremely similar in a lot of,
like ways. Sure. And I would saythat we're both alpha
(20:19):
personalities, like, that's whywe're able to run a business.
That's why we also want to run abusiness that takes that type of
personality. Sure. And, youknow, some people might say
that, Oh, they're gonna hitheads all the time, because
they're that way. But in allhonesty, I feel like that's why
we get along so well, becausethere is so much that we do
agree on. And we do respect eachother so much. And it's, it
(20:41):
truly is like a marriage andthere has to be compromise. And
sometimes you have to be theperson to either step down, or
the other person has to stepdown or just be like, Okay, I
trust you on this. And that's wedo a lot of I think that just,
it's easy for us. It's neverlike a challenge.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (20:56):
So where do you go to kind of step away from
the constant because I feel ifyou if you go on your social
media and your thing, I feellike you guys are everywhere and
every day at every time. So youare you're you know, you say I'm
busy. I think you too are way,way, way busy. Where do you go
to step away, take the breath,reinvigorate yourself, take a
(21:20):
take a second to just breathe itall in.
Unknown (21:22):
So we now lately have been going to lunch every day,
it's for us to step away fromthe office from everything.
Granted, we're still workingwhen we're at lunch, but at
least it's a time to get awayfrom the office to get away from
everything you can chat aboutthe farm or whatever is going on
(21:42):
in our lives at that time. Andit's just kind of like a way to
like get away from everything,as we're answering emails.
It's funny that you say thatthough. Because, you know, up
until like, a couple years ago,we could have never done now not
now that we have such anincredible team. And we've
learned how to delegate, we'reable to do this, but my dad, who
is an entrepreneur, and youknow, ran these huge companies,
(22:05):
he always told me that lunch wasthe most important meal to have
when you were working and totake an hour to either yourself
or bring your employees with youand have lunch every day. That
was like the time that you needto decompress, and kind of get
yourself back together. Andlike, that's been like that's
stuck within me. And now we havebeen doing that. And I really do
look forward to that, like everyday that we're able to have
(22:28):
lunch.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (22:28):
So you think taking that time away
really gives you that kick ofcreativity, motivation,
decompression, togetherness,that keeps you going. Yeah,
yeah. So my other My otherquestion is you you have you
have both have families? How doyou make time because a lot of
(22:49):
women in careers and especiallypowerful careers, like you guys
are traveling, and you have somany different things on your
plate and to clients and clientmeetings? And how do you make
time for your family? Because Ithink women are really
struggling about how to do thathow to time manage and make
time.
Unknown (23:06):
I mean, it's definitely the hardest, and it's a it's
definitely a balance that is astruggle. And I would say again,
like a few years ago, that wassomething that I was really
struggling with, because I wasconstantly on my phone on
Instagram, trying to keep upnonstop and sure go out to
dinner and like my kids and myhusband would be like, put the
phone away and I couldn't putthe phone away because I was so
(23:27):
addicted to like keeping up. Ifeel like since we've moved here
to New Jersey, both Christinaand I have kind of like, relaxed
a bit and like been okay saying,You know what, like, I'm not
going to do this. I might not bein office constantly. If I don't
have to be at this moment, andI'm going to be okay saying, No,
I'm gonna go spend time with myfamily or I'm going to have some
(23:48):
personal time. I think that Imean, personally, I've got since
we've moved here, that's beenthe biggest life changing kind
of experience and being able toallow yourself to step away.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (24:01):
Yeah. Allow yourself to step away. Allow
yourself to know how to say no.
Unknown (24:05):
Right and be present. Yeah, I think being robbed is
really important. Yeah.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (24:09):
What about you, Christina?
Unknown (24:10):
Well, now we have sports every single night, which
is good. Yeah. It's like thedeath of me. But yeah, I mean,
there's you always can figureout something even if they can,
there's with a bear situation orhusbands injured at the moment,
right. So she has to literallytake her two kids to either
(24:30):
sports like across the town,different places, and she just
like manages to deal with it.And we, both of us, like we're,
we're very good. I would saylike managing and not really
stressing about, you know, doingall the things that we need to
do, making the dinner going tobed getting the teeth and, you
know, it's like now it's justlike so routine, and we're kind
(24:53):
of like if you if there's awrench in the tire, we're fine
with it. Like we just handle it.
I almost feel like if I didn'thave all this stuff going on, I
don't know what I would Do I'mbetter when I have a lot of
chaos going on in my life thanlike when there it's just kind
of silent. Oh, that's why you'redoing so well.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (25:06):
We're gonna have to give everybody chaos all
the time. Throw it I feel likeyou're you go something else
though through something else
Unknown (25:13):
50 animals.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (25:15):
So getting to that, which was actually my
next question You You You readmy mind outside of the firm,
what are your hobbies?
Unknown (25:27):
Well, mine have definitely changed. But mine are
obviously animals. So I have 50large farm animals now that I do
take care of and I love
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (25:38):
tell everybody, the animals, some of
the animals I have
Unknown (25:41):
30 alpacas, 14 goats for donkeys, and then chicken
and geese. And I spent a lot oftime with them as much as I can.
It's something that definitelygrounds me, and it makes me just
feel happy and calm. It inspiresme, I think it's a really great
way for our kids to grow up tounderstand the hard work that
(26:05):
goes into owning animals andshowing care of them. Yeah,
having that responsibility. Andalso going through, like, all
the hardships that we do,because now that we have, you
know, so many it's a numbersgame, and there's going to be a
lot of highs and there's goingto be a serious amount of lows.
And I'm very honest with my kidsabout when we hit those lows and
talking about death and all ofthose things that happen with
(26:26):
the animals. Yes. It doesn'tmean that it's ever easy, but it
is part of life. And it'ssomething that I think them
understanding at an early agesis good for them. So, but we
love our farm. I mean, it'sliterally like I never want to
leave my house. Like I'mliterally stuck there. And I'm
happiest when I'm there. Sothat's my hobby.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (26:46):
hobbies. I think I know one of them. You
love cooking. I do. Yeah, andeveryday. Cooking is delicious.
Unknown (26:55):
Every chance I get I mean I even love shopping for
the food like I that just givesyou like this Hi. Talk about
like, inspiration. I'm like,Okay, there's like a new
vegetable out. I want to trythis. And I usually make up my
own recipes anyway. So it's justlike, it's something that's
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (27:11):
creative people, right? You just kind of
want to be creative everywherewe can. So that's great that you
do that.
Unknown (27:16):
And I just love entertaining. Like, it's one of
my favorite things to do. And Ilove when people enjoy like what
they're getting presented at myhouse. And I love being in my
house as well. I just need topull it.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (27:26):
So you girls are homebodies Yeah, and
Unknown (27:29):
definitely homebody and I got a Baris house all the
time. And it's like
it's funny, though, because likeback in the day, if you had
heard about our lives, like whenwe lived in New York, both of us
like we were definitely nothomebody that however we were
like running around town atevery club and pm
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (27:42):
when we go to dinner.
Unknown (27:45):
When now I feel like but also because I think we did
live this life. And I lived itat such a young age, especially
that I'm now I'm old. I'm soover it. Like I literally don't
care to go to the city. Really?I don't care to go out to dinner
very much anymore. I'm, I amreally a homebody, which I never
thought that I would ever reallybe like that.
(28:05):
Yeah, I think that's a very goodpoint. I mean, I think I
definitely lived my life in NewYork. And now I'm like, I'm just
so ready. And I have been readyjust to like, enjoy, like the
home life, family life.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (28:17):
And I love that you express that. Because
for me, too, it's like you gothrough these different waves of
your life, right? And it's likethese different little turning
points, and maybe you manifestedthem, right. So it's like this
manifest of the days like, I'mout till you know, 3am 4am
that's the normal now you'relike, Oh, my God. I'm in bed at
Unknown (28:38):
nine o'clock. Yeah.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (28:40):
Oh, my gosh, right now sleep by 930.
You're like, I passed out. And Itotally get it. And it's like,
and it keeps growing. And itkeeps evolving. And I think
that's what's reallyinteresting. And I love that
both of you share that out.Yeah, in the open that and it's
okay to share that it's okay tobe vulnerable. It's okay to
share that your life changesthat you don't have to be the
(29:00):
party girl forever, you know,you know, you can share the home
and the family life. And thatdevelops and that evolves.
Unknown (29:06):
And again, I feel like that's something that Christina
and I have just been veryparallel on in our lives. Like
we both lived these crazy livesin New York. And then, you know,
we moved to Philly and we bothlived these lives in
Philadelphia, and then we becamemoms and then we moved to the
suburbs. And we're both kind ofnow changing as women and it's
beautiful thing. Yeah. Andreally enjoying like that change
(29:29):
as opposed to being likedepressed that now we live in
the suburbs, and we can't youknow, we don't go out to the
city and we're like, we'reactually like the opposite.
We're like, yes.
Like, you have to go to a vendordinner and Philly, kill me.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (29:42):
You're like, Can't we go five minutes
down the road?
Unknown (29:44):
I know, live in sweats constantly. I love it.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (29:47):
I have some cards here. I don't know what
these questions are. So I'mgonna just pull them randomly
and whoever wants to go or gofirst or however you want to do
it. We're gonna we're gonna seewhat these present Okay? Oh, I
like it. What room in your housebest reflects your personality?
(30:10):
I do think that that would bewhat you would say, well,
Unknown (30:12):
for sure for Yeah, my kitchen.
I mean, the stone that Iactually chose for my kitchen
looks like, like roots of atree. And it kind of, we named
the house, the tree house. Soit's kind of like resembles
like, it has like a significanceto it. It's beautiful. And it
and it's like, also, I alwaysthink of like the roots of your
(30:34):
family and like my family isgonna grow up in this house
forever. We're never moving andit's just kind of like, if I
were home that you're growingyour roots at right? Yeah, so I
just I just loved I just lovebeing in there for that reason.
Besides obviously cooking.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (30:49):
There. What about you?
Unknown (30:50):
I don't know, I there's so many. But I guess I would say
my ladies lounge. It's you know,it definitely is my come. It's a
comfort level for me in there.So I can party. I can have fun.
I can dance, I can drink. I canget silly with my friends. But
it's all in like my own home andmy own comfort level. So I guess
(31:11):
that's why I love that space the
most I bet you're gonna say yourcloset. I feel like that's your
you're like, well, that's yourspace.
That is an awesome my space.Yeah, but I do have like the
most fun in the ladies lounge.So
do I can I say the ladieslounge?
I know there's so many differentrooms, and we use them in so
many different ways. So,
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (31:31):
but that's good. That's what you're
supposed to do. Right? I mean,this is your industry. I mean,
if you know the things that youdesign, if you don't want to be
there and at home and likeyou're saying, like spread your
roots and grow. Right. That'swhat you're doing. You're you're
giving those gifts to otherpeople that are hiring you. So
if you're doing it yourself, andthat's what you love, and you
inspire to do, then, you knowyou're doing something right,
(31:54):
right, right. You know, what isone interesting thing about
yourself, no one really knows.
Unknown (31:59):
Oh, gosh, I feel like I have a few of those things. Pick
the best. What would you sayChristina about me that no one
really knows. Except for that.I'm psychic.
That's what people don't knowthat. That's a good one. Yes.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (32:10):
Your psychic I
Unknown (32:11):
want to know I definitely. I definitely have
like a crazy intuition likecrazy. And I can feel things
that are going to happen. I likecalled things out to Christina
that are going to happen. Andthen if they happen, yeah.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (32:24):
It's very few. What's your one thing no
one knows about you?
Unknown (32:27):
I don't know if people know that. I'm a twin over twin
brother. He's an architect. Helives in
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (32:34):
interesting collaboration there. I don't
know. Is it in the bloodline?
Unknown (32:38):
My dad was a civil engineer. And my mom owned a
wedding cake business, like afamous wedding cake. So
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (32:43):
you got cooking on the one side, your
design and your meticulous wayof that on the other side?
Correct? Yeah. Interesting.Yeah. All right. Cool. All
right, we got one more and thenwe're going to talk about
hashtags here on barnas.Podcast, who do you look up most
to and why?
Unknown (33:03):
Well, I feel like I should say my mom out of
respect. But um, Kelly wearstleris definitely going to be my go
to in terms of in the designindustry. She's the most
groundbreaking designer. She'salso a mom to boys. And I love
that about her. And she spendsso much time with her boys. And
(33:25):
she's very, like, open aboutthat. And I love seeing that
she's such a family person. Shehas incredible fashion sense.
And she wears whatever she feelslike wearing and I also love
that about her as well. So allin all, she's kind of like the
package of what I would say isessentially my idol.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (33:44):
Okay,
Unknown (33:44):
yeah, so bear and I actually share the same love for
the same person. And it'sanother reason why like just
both like aesthetically fashion,design everything like we truly
look up to this person becauseshe's God to us. So I have to
say, same thing.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (34:03):
So I'm guessing that's why there's this
deep connection. I mean, youguys are this is this is
perfect. So every Baronesspodcast I've been writing down
some of these inspirationalpositive words that we've been
chatting about this whole timeand I'm gonna read them as they
were hashtags that when I wouldpost your podcast these are some
hashtags you might see me useand then I want you to tell me
(34:24):
what your personal hashtag wouldbe okay? Do not have to be from
this list. It can just be ofyour own intuition. Here we go.
stars align jack of all trades,working moms boost of
confidence, genuinepersonalities, relationships are
best easy to talk to experience.Give yourself putting yourself
out there, keep trucking brainenergy, respect each other
(34:46):
keeping up it's okay to say nobe present and responsibility.
Unknown (34:52):
Those are good.
I felt overall really good.
Mine would be believe I alsohave a tattoo on my wrist
enough. are cons that meansbelieve but that would be my
believe.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (35:03):
Okay, beautiful. What about you
Unknown (35:05):
slay it?
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (35:08):
I love it. Awesome. Do it. Well listen, if
everybody wants to find you lookat your designs. Can you tell
them again where to where tofollow you where to find you.
Unknown (35:18):
So obviously we have a website. And that's why del
machete.com And then also ourInstagram, which is wild
machete.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (35:27):
Awesome. I want to thank you both so much
for joining me today on thebareness podcast. It's been
awesome, kind of getting deeperinto knowing you today. And I
appreciate you just being hereand being one of these
inspirational power womencouples that I think everybody
should look up to, you know,personally from a friendship
(35:47):
perspective to to business, sothank you both for sharing.
Thanks.
Unknown (35:50):
Thanks for having us. I
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (35:51):
know he care. Thanks.
Jason Varga (35:53):
You've been listening to the rcbc bareness
podcast, which highlights womenin leadership while encouraging
listeners to build their skills,connect with the community and
visualize the opportunitiesavailable to women in various
professions. For moreinformation about this podcast
or other podcasts available onthe rcbc Podcast Network, visit
rcbc.edu/podcast And be sure tosubscribe to the rcbc bareness
(36:13):
podcast available on allstreaming platforms.
Welcome to Rowan College at Burlington County's
Baroness Podcast. I'm Dr. BrookeMailhiot program chair and
assistant professor of ourentertainment technologies
department. I'm the co chair ofthe Women's Advocacy Group a
subcommittee of the President'sAdvisory Council on diversity,
equity and inclusion. Thismonthly series highlights women
in leadership while encouraginglisteners to build their skills,
(00:23):
connect with the community andvisualize the opportunities
available to women in variousprofessions. Tune in for a
female perspective on theBurlington County community. We
are here to listen to theseamazing women and if you want to
hear from women who lead andinspire this podcast is for you.
Welcome to our July podcast thismonth, we are honoring women,
(00:46):
Dream visions, real spaces and achance to meet up at a park. We
have two amazing women with usBarette Widell and Christina
Boschetti and they are theowners of a boutique design firm
based here in Morrestown, butthey're more than that they're
international influencers.They're dynamic, they're
inspirational. They'remotivational, we have a formal
(01:07):
ballerina dancer, and a fashiondesigner morphed into this power
couple. Thank you, ladies forjoining me today. Thanks for
having us. Why don't we talkabout this chance meeting in the
park? How the two of you cametogether and put this vision of
this amazing interior designteam together? How did you know
(01:28):
that? It would like become this?I mean, I guess you didn't know
it was going to become this. Butthat chance meeting in a park?
How did you know that it wasgoing to just come into
something? I always haveChristina talk about this story.
Because I really we've talkedabout it so many times. So why
don't you take the mic? Okay, soI had just moved here from New
(01:48):
York to Philly. And I knew noone. So I took a long walk one
day, and I went to the park witha friend. And we I met Barrett
and she was literally all overthe place. She had her three
dogs. She had her mom, she hadher 11 month old son running
around. And I was like who isthis crazy person? And why is
she here in the park? I was alsothe only one in the park. Right?
(02:10):
It was it's a very small park.Like literally you wouldn't even
know like this lonely Park andthere's this wild lady. And now
you've kind of exchanged dogsfor alpacas, but we'll get
there. So you met her? What wasit about her? The fact that she
was running around like crazy. Iwas like, Who is this person?
How come I haven't met her yet.She lives down the street for
(02:32):
me. And it turns out, she hadalready started this event
design business. But she hadtold me that she was moving and
I'm like, wait a second, holdon, this can't be happening, you
can't move. And that's why shewas in the park. She was
actually about to sell herhouse. She was showing her
house. So that's why the wholecrew was in the park with her.
(02:53):
Um, so we had just talked andkind of looked at her Instagram
and just she was just showing mewhat she has done. And I left
the park saying, oh my gosh, Iyou know, I called my husband
and I'm like, I think I just metmy business partner. And she
actually did the same with hermom. Even though she was moving.
(03:14):
We both said the same thing. Andit was kind of like the stars
were aligned. She didn't end upselling the house. Yeah, well, I
mean, I so I had started thislittle company out of
desperation. I used to be aprofessional ballet dancer. And
when I retired, I took a job ina corporation as an event
coordinator. Long story short, Ibasically was forced out of my
(03:37):
position when I told them that Iwas expecting and ultimately
then was left with nothing. SoChris and I had just bought our
house in Philly, a brand new carfor you know, expanding our
family and all of these things.And now I have no job and I have
no money. So I out ofdesperation started event
designing and planning becausewe had just gotten married. I
(03:59):
knew that I could do that. Sure.And I you were reinventing
yourself, right? How do I dothis? Exactly. And I have no
like background in anythingbesides being a professional
ballet dancer. So no one's gonnahire me for any job. Really. I
didn't go to college. I don'thave any skills besides that,
that I knew of right at thatmoment. So I started this event
design company but quicklyrealizing that I wanted a friend
(04:20):
and a partner. I had my son withme I didn't have a nanny, he was
with me all the time. And I wasa bit lonely and just kind of
wanting to figure this out withsomebody, but I couldn't find
anyone that like the right fit.So when I met Christina in the
park, she just started talkingabout like her life and her
background briefly and I I feltlike a lot of our lives kind of
(04:40):
Inger intermingled sure and wenever even like knew each other
but she was talking about thingsthat like I also was interested
in or I was doing and we likedsimilar things and it just
seemed like a lot of our pastlife was like parallel to each
other. And you just kind of hadthis connection. Yeah, so I left
that day.
And I was like, Oh my gosh,like, that is who I want as my
(05:03):
business partner, like, that'stotally who I should be working
with. But at the same time, atthis point, I thought I was
going to be moving to Las Vegas,and trying to basically start
that business there. But thenlong story short, we ended up
not moving to Vegas. And thenthat's when Christina and I
decided to meet and talk aboutthe potential of working
(05:25):
together and like, what is that?
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (05:27):
Did everybody think like you met
this crazy woman at a park? Andyou're gonna, like, go into
business together? Were theylike, what's wrong with you? Or
did they say, wow, like,
Unknown (05:36):
I think everyone, I think everyone thought we were
crazy, just in general, becausewe just like didn't even know
what we were doing. Okay. Butalso, yeah, but at the same
time, I feel like our husbandswere like, okay, whatever.
They didn't, they actuallydidn't question it at all.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (05:48):
Yeah, so great.
Unknown (05:50):
I mean, before I met, Christina, people kind of
laughed at me like, Oh, you'regonna be a wedding designer?
Yeah, sure. Like the jack of alltrades, master of none, kind of,
because I was like, I was adancer, I'm going to start this
design company. I'm going tomake it a lifestyle company,
we're going to do weddings,parties, and interiors. And
(06:10):
they're like, yeah, good luckwith that. And so I think a lot
of people did not at all thinkthat this would be where it is
today. So
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (06:18):
how did we more from event planner,
ballerina, fashion designer towhat you're doing today?
Unknown (06:27):
I mean, it was really funny, Christina. And I, you
know, as we started working, weput together a portfolio
basically, to show things thatwe've done, which mainly were
our own interiors, and then afew parties that we had done,
and also like our weddings. Sowe put that together. And we
went to a meeting with a vintagerental company. And we were
(06:48):
sitting there talking to them.And we had Hudson and Dylan with
us. Because again, both of uswere moms working moms. Yeah, we
had no help. Yeah, so we broughtour kids you gotta do Yeah, we
brought our kids with us. Wewent through this presentation.
And as we're going through thepresentation, they, they kind of
stopped and they're like, youknow, your parties are cute and
everything. But can we talkabout the interiors that you
guys have done? Like these arereally like different and
(07:09):
unique? And that's kind of whenwe kind of looked at each other?
And we're like, wow, peopleactually are paying attention to
our interiors. I think in termsof both of us, we thought no one
would take us seriously withinteriors, because we had no
formal background.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (07:23):
Right. But it just clicked you did less
unique perspective, this uniquestyle. They caught on, you
obviously caught on and saw thatthere was this pathway to do
yes.
Unknown (07:33):
I think that was our first, like, boost of hope there
that like yeah, competent. Yeah.
And the minute we decided thatwe don't want to do event design
anymore, we didn't get a callfor it. It was just strictly
interiors. So we literally justput it out there and it came.
Yeah.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (07:53):
So you just like manifest? Yeah, let's do a
design. I've
Unknown (07:58):
already been manifesting everything. And she
knows like, I'll put things outthere. And it does usually
happen.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (08:03):
So tell me what's manifesting. Now in your
portfolio? What do you guys aredoing? What's been like
something that's been reallyamazing for the two of you to be
a part of?
Unknown (08:16):
So I would say that, you know, what we definitely are
manifesting right now are largeprojects and large budgets,
because obviously, that takesdesigned to a different level.
Sure. So we do only focus now onfull home projects. We've
created other services, though,that can still target clients
that want to do smallerprojects. So we're not, you
(08:36):
know, not hitting that market aswell. But our goal at the
company is to be a full scalefull service, and only take on a
certain amount of projects ayear. So that's kind of what
we're trying to get to rightnow. We have probably 30
projects under our belt, itwould be lovely if we had under
10 But that all comes with timeand being seasoned and meeting
(08:57):
the right you know, clients thenthat refer you to the right
clients. But unless you want toadd to that, I feel like that's
what we're kind of manifestingat the moment.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (09:06):
What's your favorite thing to design
Christina?
Unknown (09:11):
My favorite thing to design I love designing beach
houses I think because I lovethe beach and I love the water.
We don't often get to do it asmuch because there's already a
niche in like the shore area butwe would love to get into the
Hamptons because we feel likethat's a bit more of our vibe
vibe and target client. So Iwant to bear I want you to put
(09:36):
it out there man.
I just I just had a callyesterday with someone in the
Hamptons. Yeah festa I went liveyesterday on Instagram just I'm
very random when it comes toInstagram. I do not have it
scheduled out and yesterday Iwas like you know what, I'm just
gonna go live and do a get readywith me. And I got a call or an
email that set up a call andthen I spoke with her night and
(09:58):
it is a project in the Hamptons.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (10:00):
So why don't you tell everybody where
they can follow you on all yoursocials? Because?
Unknown (10:05):
Oh, that's a good one. Yeah. Well, you can follow us on
Instagram. It's wide elbow.Shadi. That's really our only
social that we do is Instagram.Tick tock is not really Yeah.
Yeah, I can't even bear willsend me a tick tock and I won't
even be able to watch it.Because for some reason I signed
up with like a different name orsomething. I have no idea. But
is our biggest for sure. Yeah.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (10:25):
What's been your favorite project to work
on? Barrett?
Unknown (10:28):
That's a hard one. I mean, my favorites in my house.
We always say that for
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (10:33):
yourself. Kind of manipulated how you
want, you don't have somebodyoverusing I like or I don't like
it's you. That's the end allclient, right, right.
Unknown (10:41):
100%. And it's just been really fun to create
something that I am sopassionate about. And I know
that Christina feels the sameabout her own project, meaning
her own house. But I woulddefinitely say that that has
been my favorite also, becausenot only have I touched
interiors, but now I'm touchingexteriors, which is something
that we don't do a lot of. Andthat's been a really great
(11:03):
learning experience for me.Yeah. And something that I'm now
thinking differently about aswell. So that has been a great
project. But you know, workingwith, I would say Ben Simmons
was a life, like changingexperience for for us,
obviously, you know, he's anathlete and someone that people
(11:24):
know, worldwide. So that wasreally huge for Christina and I
to have a client of that level,you know, of right and known and
right. And that got you in
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (11:35):
Architectural Digest. And you're in Philly
mag, and you got to work withhim. And yeah, you did a really,
really cool setup there thatyeah,
Unknown (11:43):
and we've worked with him now, so many times. And he's
the type of client that werespect him a lot. Also, just as
a person and working with us.He's a very, under like,
understanding client when itcomes to the design and trusting
in Christina and I and ourvision. And he really lets us do
what you know, what we see isbest for him. So we really
(12:05):
respect him in terms of that andbeing our client. And we've
built this relationship withHim. That is something that we
want to build with all of ourclients, where it's really where
they're their designer for allof their homes. They don't just
use us for like one project. Sothat's been really nice. So
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (12:20):
it's really nice that you say about, like
your clients go to you withtheir visions and your visions?
Where do you get all yourinspiration for your visions? Is
there a place? Is there anartist? Is there an author? Is
it just walking down the street,and it comes to you? Where are
you getting inspired for theseamazing projects,
Unknown (12:39):
we get inspired pretty much everywhere. But Instagram
obviously is like a huge, huge,huge wave for designers to get
inspiration because we havedesigners that we really love
and kind of cherish. And really,it's all visual, yeah, it's all
visual. And it's kind of like weput together these mood boards
for the clients based on thebones of their home and like
(13:01):
what we think their aestheticis. And based on that, we will
give them three different moodsto choose from. And then they
give us the feedback based onthe moods. So that's how we
start designing.
And I feel like the moods eveninspire us to write like as
we're putting them together andinspires us. But Instagram has
been huge because it's visual,obviously travel is another way.
(13:23):
And fashion, I would say too.Right?
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (13:25):
And that's kind of your section of
starting. So what do you thinkyou brought from being? I know
you went to Parsons? And what doyou think your area of expertise
is bringing that to thedefinitely
Unknown (13:38):
the textile portion of it with the fabrics and the
fabrications and knowing whatwill will work with that curve
so far, and the content and evencleanability and etc. I also
think like I understand, youknow, the manufacturing of all
of our custom stuff, because wedo a ton of custom, a lot like
(14:02):
mostly all our soft goods, whichmeans couches, chairs, ottomans.
We do hard goods too, butbasically from like the having
the fashion background, likeit's very easy for me to pick up
on the way things aremanufactured.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (14:19):
And I think you're so you're both are really
inspiring because at the levelsof where you are, I mean it
you've been really worldwide,going and designing for all
different things and types ofhouses and people and clients
and know how to work withpeople. I think that's one of
the most biggest things in thecreatives industry.
Unknown (14:40):
It's also the hardest to Yeah, every client is so
different. And
how does that how do you how tohave fun personality? Yeah,
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (14:46):
how do you how do you? How do you do that?
How do you handle that? I
Unknown (14:49):
just think that I was even saying this on the phone
yesterday to the potentialclient that we're very down to
earth humble humans. And I thinkultimately we just want to be
transparent and honest at alltimes and all costs, and, you
know, unfortunately, you can'talways please everybody and even
us just being the best that wecan and trying to please that
client, sometimes it's justnever gonna happen. But we do
(15:13):
really genuinely care about eachproject that we work on and each
client that we work with, and,you know, having a good
relationship with them. So atthe end of the day, I just know
that we both go to bed at night,knowing that we've done our
best. But you know, we do enjoypeople, and we are people,
people. Yeah. And I think we'reeasy to talk to, I think
(15:34):
there's, you know, a lot ofdesigners out there that what I
hear from other clients thatmaybe we're working with, that
have worked with designers isthat sometimes it's really hard
to talk to them, because youknow, they have this like error
about them, or they don't wantto talk about budgets, like
Christina and I are just veryrealistic. We understand that,
you know, no matter how wealthyyou are, there's always going to
(15:57):
be a number. And we're happy towork within these numbers or
help educate clients aboutnumbers. And, again, we're just
very easy people, I think, totalk to, because I think people
see us on social media alsobeing just ourselves, whether
it's goofy, or we're going totalk about like, the hard times.
Sure. So we just try to be real.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (16:17):
Yeah, I mean, because it's not always
rainbows and sunshine, likeyou've worked very, very hard to
where you to get to where youare today. And I think what's
really nice too, is, you know,in your organization, you have
young designers, and you helpbuild those designers up and you
give them a space forcreativity. What are some things
that you would say to youngdesigners that are looking to
(16:40):
break into this space of design?What kind of motivation or
inspiration would you give them?
Unknown (16:49):
I mean, when we started, you know, it's kind of
sad to say, but like we did alot for free. And that's kind of
what we tell people all thetime. Or, like, if you want to
get into the industry, andyou're not working for some big
firm, then that you're gonnaleave and then start your own
thing and get all thatexperience, which we never did,
you really kind of have to putit out there. And you're gonna
have to kind of give yourselfand you know, use Instagram as a
(17:11):
tool, start posting lots ofpictures that maybe just inspire
you, because you don't have aportfolio. So you know, post
other designers, and reach outto them ask questions, do a
bookcase, go to a store andtake, you know, video of
beautiful things that you like,it's just really about putting
yourself out there and trying toget those clients by them seeing
(17:34):
ultimately what your vision is.Because like, when we started
out, we didn't have a portfolio.You know, we were just sometimes
even styling couches withpillows, like, Yeah, we had to
kind of make things seem biggerthan they were to get people
then to see what our ultimatevision was, and then use us.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (17:50):
What would you tell your younger self? Now
that you know where you are? Tokeep doing what what would you
tell your younger self?
Unknown (17:59):
I would just say keep trucking, because it is not
easy. And it's a lot of work.And it's a lot of like brain
energy. And it's just, it's justa lot and you really can't think
about how much it is right? Youjust have to keep going and
don't look back. And that's whatbear and I have done this whole
(18:21):
entire process. So you know,eight years of working together,
Chuck and yeah, and
you can't talk and it's hard notto take it personally to when
it's your own business.
A whole nother level. Yeah, Idon't take anything personally,
you've
got any more. I feel like, yeah,we've gotten so much better. You
gotta let it roll off your back.Right? Yeah. Because I mean,
we're only as good as our lastproject and also our referrals.
So that's another thing. Solike, when we have a client,
(18:43):
let's say that it doesn't endthe way that we want it to end.
You know, that does hit youhard, because obviously you
think about the referrals andall of those things. But again,
when you know if you're going tobed at night, and you know you
did your best, that's all thatyou can do.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (18:58):
I love that, you know, it's the when
you go to bed at night, justlooking at yourself and saying,
I tried my best. This is what Igave this is what I do. And
what's interesting is, you knowthe together when when you guys
work together and you look onyour socials, you're you're such
a good sisterhood. And I can saysisterhood, right? I feel like
(19:20):
the two of you come together andyou collaborate like your
sisters. What happens whenthere's a, you know, heads heads
buttheads, and maybe you don't,maybe you don't like somebody
else's design or couch there.
Unknown (19:35):
It's never we never it's never about aesthetic, I
would say I mean, we give eachother advice. But like the only
sort of like tiffs is justabout, you know, obviously
running a business. It's twoheads. Sure, we're very type A
personalities, but we justrespect each other. So we never
really get to that level wherewe're actually like, Wait, like
(19:58):
fighting or arguing about something we just we come to,
there's always a solution. So wecome to that relatively quickly.
So we don't waste time debating.
It's funny because, you know,Christina and I are very
different people. But we're alsoextremely similar in a lot of,
like ways. Sure. And I would saythat we're both alpha
(20:19):
personalities, like, that's whywe're able to run a business.
That's why we also want to run abusiness that takes that type of
personality. Sure. And, youknow, some people might say
that, Oh, they're gonna hitheads all the time, because
they're that way. But in allhonesty, I feel like that's why
we get along so well, becausethere is so much that we do
agree on. And we do respect eachother so much. And it's, it
(20:41):
truly is like a marriage andthere has to be compromise. And
sometimes you have to be theperson to either step down, or
the other person has to stepdown or just be like, Okay, I
trust you on this. And that's wedo a lot of I think that just,
it's easy for us. It's neverlike a challenge.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (20:56):
So where do you go to kind of step away from
the constant because I feel ifyou if you go on your social
media and your thing, I feellike you guys are everywhere and
every day at every time. So youare you're you know, you say I'm
busy. I think you too are way,way, way busy. Where do you go
to step away, take the breath,reinvigorate yourself, take a
(21:20):
take a second to just breathe itall in.
Unknown (21:22):
So we now lately have been going to lunch every day,
it's for us to step away fromthe office from everything.
Granted, we're still workingwhen we're at lunch, but at
least it's a time to get awayfrom the office to get away from
everything you can chat aboutthe farm or whatever is going on
(21:42):
in our lives at that time. Andit's just kind of like a way to
like get away from everything,as we're answering emails.
It's funny that you say thatthough. Because, you know, up
until like, a couple years ago,we could have never done now not
now that we have such anincredible team. And we've
learned how to delegate, we'reable to do this, but my dad, who
is an entrepreneur, and youknow, ran these huge companies,
(22:05):
he always told me that lunch wasthe most important meal to have
when you were working and totake an hour to either yourself
or bring your employees with youand have lunch every day. That
was like the time that you needto decompress, and kind of get
yourself back together. Andlike, that's been like that's
stuck within me. And now we havebeen doing that. And I really do
look forward to that, like everyday that we're able to have
(22:28):
lunch.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (22:28):
So you think taking that time away
really gives you that kick ofcreativity, motivation,
decompression, togetherness,that keeps you going. Yeah,
yeah. So my other My otherquestion is you you have you
have both have families? How doyou make time because a lot of
(22:49):
women in careers and especiallypowerful careers, like you guys
are traveling, and you have somany different things on your
plate and to clients and clientmeetings? And how do you make
time for your family? Because Ithink women are really
struggling about how to do thathow to time manage and make
time.
Unknown (23:06):
I mean, it's definitely the hardest, and it's a it's
definitely a balance that is astruggle. And I would say again,
like a few years ago, that wassomething that I was really
struggling with, because I wasconstantly on my phone on
Instagram, trying to keep upnonstop and sure go out to
dinner and like my kids and myhusband would be like, put the
phone away and I couldn't putthe phone away because I was so
(23:27):
addicted to like keeping up. Ifeel like since we've moved here
to New Jersey, both Christinaand I have kind of like, relaxed
a bit and like been okay saying,You know what, like, I'm not
going to do this. I might not bein office constantly. If I don't
have to be at this moment, andI'm going to be okay saying, No,
I'm gonna go spend time with myfamily or I'm going to have some
(23:48):
personal time. I think that Imean, personally, I've got since
we've moved here, that's beenthe biggest life changing kind
of experience and being able toallow yourself to step away.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (24:01):
Yeah. Allow yourself to step away. Allow
yourself to know how to say no.
Unknown (24:05):
Right and be present. Yeah, I think being robbed is
really important. Yeah.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (24:09):
What about you, Christina?
Unknown (24:10):
Well, now we have sports every single night, which
is good. Yeah. It's like thedeath of me. But yeah, I mean,
there's you always can figureout something even if they can,
there's with a bear situation orhusbands injured at the moment,
right. So she has to literallytake her two kids to either
(24:30):
sports like across the town,different places, and she just
like manages to deal with it.And we, both of us, like we're,
we're very good. I would saylike managing and not really
stressing about, you know, doingall the things that we need to
do, making the dinner going tobed getting the teeth and, you
know, it's like now it's justlike so routine, and we're kind
(24:53):
of like if you if there's awrench in the tire, we're fine
with it. Like we just handle it.
I almost feel like if I didn'thave all this stuff going on, I
don't know what I would Do I'mbetter when I have a lot of
chaos going on in my life thanlike when there it's just kind
of silent. Oh, that's why you'redoing so well.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (25:06):
We're gonna have to give everybody chaos all
the time. Throw it I feel likeyou're you go something else
though through something else
Unknown (25:13):
50 animals.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (25:15):
So getting to that, which was actually my
next question You You You readmy mind outside of the firm,
what are your hobbies?
Unknown (25:27):
Well, mine have definitely changed. But mine are
obviously animals. So I have 50large farm animals now that I do
take care of and I love
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (25:38):
tell everybody, the animals, some of
the animals I have
Unknown (25:41):
30 alpacas, 14 goats for donkeys, and then chicken
and geese. And I spent a lot oftime with them as much as I can.
It's something that definitelygrounds me, and it makes me just
feel happy and calm. It inspiresme, I think it's a really great
way for our kids to grow up tounderstand the hard work that
(26:05):
goes into owning animals andshowing care of them. Yeah,
having that responsibility. Andalso going through, like, all
the hardships that we do,because now that we have, you
know, so many it's a numbersgame, and there's going to be a
lot of highs and there's goingto be a serious amount of lows.
And I'm very honest with my kidsabout when we hit those lows and
talking about death and all ofthose things that happen with
(26:26):
the animals. Yes. It doesn'tmean that it's ever easy, but it
is part of life. And it'ssomething that I think them
understanding at an early agesis good for them. So, but we
love our farm. I mean, it'sliterally like I never want to
leave my house. Like I'mliterally stuck there. And I'm
happiest when I'm there. Sothat's my hobby.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (26:46):
hobbies. I think I know one of them. You
love cooking. I do. Yeah, andeveryday. Cooking is delicious.
Unknown (26:55):
Every chance I get I mean I even love shopping for
the food like I that just givesyou like this Hi. Talk about
like, inspiration. I'm like,Okay, there's like a new
vegetable out. I want to trythis. And I usually make up my
own recipes anyway. So it's justlike, it's something that's
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (27:11):
creative people, right? You just kind of
want to be creative everywherewe can. So that's great that you
do that.
Unknown (27:16):
And I just love entertaining. Like, it's one of
my favorite things to do. And Ilove when people enjoy like what
they're getting presented at myhouse. And I love being in my
house as well. I just need topull it.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (27:26):
So you girls are homebodies Yeah, and
Unknown (27:29):
definitely homebody and I got a Baris house all the
time. And it's like
it's funny, though, because likeback in the day, if you had
heard about our lives, like whenwe lived in New York, both of us
like we were definitely nothomebody that however we were
like running around town atevery club and pm
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (27:42):
when we go to dinner.
Unknown (27:45):
When now I feel like but also because I think we did
live this life. And I lived itat such a young age, especially
that I'm now I'm old. I'm soover it. Like I literally don't
care to go to the city. Really?I don't care to go out to dinner
very much anymore. I'm, I amreally a homebody, which I never
thought that I would ever reallybe like that.
(28:05):
Yeah, I think that's a very goodpoint. I mean, I think I
definitely lived my life in NewYork. And now I'm like, I'm just
so ready. And I have been readyjust to like, enjoy, like the
home life, family life.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (28:17):
And I love that you express that. Because
for me, too, it's like you gothrough these different waves of
your life, right? And it's likethese different little turning
points, and maybe you manifestedthem, right. So it's like this
manifest of the days like, I'mout till you know, 3am 4am
that's the normal now you'relike, Oh, my God. I'm in bed at
Unknown (28:38):
nine o'clock. Yeah.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (28:40):
Oh, my gosh, right now sleep by 930.
You're like, I passed out. And Itotally get it. And it's like,
and it keeps growing. And itkeeps evolving. And I think
that's what's reallyinteresting. And I love that
both of you share that out.Yeah, in the open that and it's
okay to share that it's okay tobe vulnerable. It's okay to
share that your life changesthat you don't have to be the
(29:00):
party girl forever, you know,you know, you can share the home
and the family life. And thatdevelops and that evolves.
Unknown (29:06):
And again, I feel like that's something that Christina
and I have just been veryparallel on in our lives. Like
we both lived these crazy livesin New York. And then, you know,
we moved to Philly and we bothlived these lives in
Philadelphia, and then we becamemoms and then we moved to the
suburbs. And we're both kind ofnow changing as women and it's
beautiful thing. Yeah. Andreally enjoying like that change
(29:29):
as opposed to being likedepressed that now we live in
the suburbs, and we can't youknow, we don't go out to the
city and we're like, we'reactually like the opposite.
We're like, yes.
Like, you have to go to a vendordinner and Philly, kill me.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (29:42):
You're like, Can't we go five minutes
down the road?
Unknown (29:44):
I know, live in sweats constantly. I love it.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (29:47):
I have some cards here. I don't know what
these questions are. So I'mgonna just pull them randomly
and whoever wants to go or gofirst or however you want to do
it. We're gonna we're gonna seewhat these present Okay? Oh, I
like it. What room in your housebest reflects your personality?
(30:10):
I do think that that would bewhat you would say, well,
Unknown (30:12):
for sure for Yeah, my kitchen.
I mean, the stone that Iactually chose for my kitchen
looks like, like roots of atree. And it kind of, we named
the house, the tree house. Soit's kind of like resembles
like, it has like a significanceto it. It's beautiful. And it
and it's like, also, I alwaysthink of like the roots of your
(30:34):
family and like my family isgonna grow up in this house
forever. We're never moving andit's just kind of like, if I
were home that you're growingyour roots at right? Yeah, so I
just I just loved I just lovebeing in there for that reason.
Besides obviously cooking.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (30:49):
There. What about you?
Unknown (30:50):
I don't know, I there's so many. But I guess I would say
my ladies lounge. It's you know,it definitely is my come. It's a
comfort level for me in there.So I can party. I can have fun.
I can dance, I can drink. I canget silly with my friends. But
it's all in like my own home andmy own comfort level. So I guess
(31:11):
that's why I love that space the
most I bet you're gonna say yourcloset. I feel like that's your
you're like, well, that's yourspace.
That is an awesome my space.Yeah, but I do have like the
most fun in the ladies lounge.So
do I can I say the ladieslounge?
I know there's so many differentrooms, and we use them in so
many different ways. So,
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (31:31):
but that's good. That's what you're
supposed to do. Right? I mean,this is your industry. I mean,
if you know the things that youdesign, if you don't want to be
there and at home and likeyou're saying, like spread your
roots and grow. Right. That'swhat you're doing. You're you're
giving those gifts to otherpeople that are hiring you. So
if you're doing it yourself, andthat's what you love, and you
inspire to do, then, you knowyou're doing something right,
(31:54):
right, right. You know, what isone interesting thing about
yourself, no one really knows.
Unknown (31:59):
Oh, gosh, I feel like I have a few of those things. Pick
the best. What would you sayChristina about me that no one
really knows. Except for that.I'm psychic.
That's what people don't knowthat. That's a good one. Yes.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (32:10):
Your psychic I
Unknown (32:11):
want to know I definitely. I definitely have
like a crazy intuition likecrazy. And I can feel things
that are going to happen. I likecalled things out to Christina
that are going to happen. Andthen if they happen, yeah.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (32:24):
It's very few. What's your one thing no
one knows about you?
Unknown (32:27):
I don't know if people know that. I'm a twin over twin
brother. He's an architect. Helives in
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (32:34):
interesting collaboration there. I don't
know. Is it in the bloodline?
Unknown (32:38):
My dad was a civil engineer. And my mom owned a
wedding cake business, like afamous wedding cake. So
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (32:43):
you got cooking on the one side, your
design and your meticulous wayof that on the other side?
Correct? Yeah. Interesting.Yeah. All right. Cool. All
right, we got one more and thenwe're going to talk about
hashtags here on barnas.Podcast, who do you look up most
to and why?
Unknown (33:03):
Well, I feel like I should say my mom out of
respect. But um, Kelly wearstleris definitely going to be my go
to in terms of in the designindustry. She's the most
groundbreaking designer. She'salso a mom to boys. And I love
that about her. And she spendsso much time with her boys. And
(33:25):
she's very, like, open aboutthat. And I love seeing that
she's such a family person. Shehas incredible fashion sense.
And she wears whatever she feelslike wearing and I also love
that about her as well. So allin all, she's kind of like the
package of what I would say isessentially my idol.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (33:44):
Okay,
Unknown (33:44):
yeah, so bear and I actually share the same love for
the same person. And it'sanother reason why like just
both like aesthetically fashion,design everything like we truly
look up to this person becauseshe's God to us. So I have to
say, same thing.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (34:03):
So I'm guessing that's why there's this
deep connection. I mean, youguys are this is this is
perfect. So every Baronesspodcast I've been writing down
some of these inspirationalpositive words that we've been
chatting about this whole timeand I'm gonna read them as they
were hashtags that when I wouldpost your podcast these are some
hashtags you might see me useand then I want you to tell me
(34:24):
what your personal hashtag wouldbe okay? Do not have to be from
this list. It can just be ofyour own intuition. Here we go.
stars align jack of all trades,working moms boost of
confidence, genuinepersonalities, relationships are
best easy to talk to experience.Give yourself putting yourself
out there, keep trucking brainenergy, respect each other
(34:46):
keeping up it's okay to say nobe present and responsibility.
Unknown (34:52):
Those are good.
I felt overall really good.
Mine would be believe I alsohave a tattoo on my wrist
enough. are cons that meansbelieve but that would be my
believe.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (35:03):
Okay, beautiful. What about you
Unknown (35:05):
slay it?
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (35:08):
I love it. Awesome. Do it. Well listen, if
everybody wants to find you lookat your designs. Can you tell
them again where to where tofollow you where to find you.
Unknown (35:18):
So obviously we have a website. And that's why del
machete.com And then also ourInstagram, which is wild
machete.
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (35:27):
Awesome. I want to thank you both so much
for joining me today on thebareness podcast. It's been
awesome, kind of getting deeperinto knowing you today. And I
appreciate you just being hereand being one of these
inspirational power womencouples that I think everybody
should look up to, you know,personally from a friendship
(35:47):
perspective to to business, sothank you both for sharing.
Thanks.
Unknown (35:50):
Thanks for having us. I
Dr. Brooke Mailhiot (35:51):
know he care. Thanks.
Jason Varga (35:53):
You've been listening to the rcbc bareness
podcast, which highlights womenin leadership while encouraging
listeners to build their skills,connect with the community and
visualize the opportunitiesavailable to women in various
professions. For moreinformation about this podcast
or other podcasts available onthe rcbc Podcast Network, visit
rcbc.edu/podcast And be sure tosubscribe to the rcbc bareness
(36:13):
podcast available on allstreaming platforms.
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