On International Women’s Day, we’re taking a moment here at ChicExecs to pause and reflect on the tremendous women that make our agency thrive. From the leadership team to the staff and fabulous clients, we know there’s plenty of reason to celebrate every day!
We are born from a brand. ChicExecs founders Nikki and Kailynn grew their brands’ presence in major retailers while being featured by recognized media outlets. They created a scalable formula that helped them tell meaningful stories that stand out in a crowded market and have grown into a creative brand marketing powerhouse with a global footprint. Today, ChicExecs is an internationally-recognized agency that transforms napkin ideas into retail brands and success stories.
As a women-owned and run brand strategy agency, our mission has always been to shine a light on talented brands for over two decades that, with our partnership, have an opportunity to meet their business goals and achieve success for their hard work and individual passions. We love to see it!
For over a century, IWD has recognized the achievements of women globally. This March 8, we give a much-deserved shout-out to these five women-owned businesses just like us, who are long-standing clients and accomplished women entrepreneurs.
Enjoy getting to know these marvelous women and learning about their contributions to their respective industries. They’re crushing it and leaving an indelible mark in their fields!
As the founder of the first instant pancake mix in squeezable bottles, Ashley is responsible for putting a smile on kids’ faces and helping parents make delicious meals easier (and mess-free!). It eliminates the prep work and lets families squeeze the most out of time in the kitchen. Kids get involved and can create fluffy pancakes with little help from mom or dad, making memories and having a great time.
Made of natural and organic ingredients in four flavors, Happy Grub is what moms like Ashley want for their kids’ nourishment. Her goal of becoming a staple in family homes with youngsters across the U.S. is quickly becoming a reality. You’ll find the brand at numerous stores, further proof of the brand’s popularity – Walmart, Target, Sam’s Club, Fresh Thyme, Bristol Farms, Lassens, World Market, Whole Foods, Meijer, Giant Eagle, and many more.
Ashley has learned that sometimes the best opportunities present themselves when you least expect them. She always knew she wanted to start a business and be her own boss – she didn’t think the inspiration would come in the kitchen with her kids as test subjects. Her “little monsters” even became the influence for the fun brand characters.
Mia Monzidelis took her love of horses at age five and came up with her own invention – the world’s only powered rideable pony, second best to riding a real horse. This catapulted the young entrepreneur into national success and philanthropic endeavors. Mia and her brand, Power Pony – imagined by kids for kids – has received a lot of television and media attention including Mia’s appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show in October 2021 and a mention on Page 6 in 2022 when Kathy Hilton purchased a Power Pony for Rihanna.
Mia has partnered with a charitable organization, The Family and Children’s Association of Long Island (FCA). She provides a portion of proceeds to FCA and has received the Rising Star Award for being their youngest donor. Mia presented education scholarship funds to a student in need who has been part of the FCA family.
A media darling, Mia is an excellent example of using what she loves (horses) and sharing her success with others her age. Mia continues to be creative and bring new and fun ideas to the Power Pony team. She enjoys being at the forefront of building Power Pony’s social media outlets with super fun Tik Tok and Instagram posts while continuing to improve her equestrian skills. She rides weekly and focuses on her vertical rails jumping.
Melody Cohn got to build her dream company with the help of her husband Sam. They create meaningful gift ideas that support skilled local artisans and favor handcrafted items by dedicated and passionate small business owners. This woman-owned brand offers beautifully poured large soy candles out of Austin, Texas, that feature authentic scents made with phthalate-free fragrance, soy wax, and 100% cotton wicks.
With the need for adventure, the couple quit their jobs, sold their house, pulled their kids out of school, and set off across North America in a 44’ RV. ROAM was born from that journey of self-discovery and connection within themselves, their family, and the beautiful places they traveled to – literally making candles and gift boxes and running a growing business from an RV!
They have chosen a select few of their favorite moments from their travels, captured them in their unique scents and fragrances, and poured luxe candles full of nostalgia, joy, and familiarity. These collections are inspired by the wonder and delight of a journey, allowing those authentic experiences to shine through with each candle you light.
Lisa Steele is a fifth-generation chicken keeper, lifestyle expert, TV host, YouTuber and blogger at Fresh Eggs Daily. She is the authority on raising chickens and the best-selling author of a must-have new book, The Fresh Eggs Daily Cookbook.
Dubbed “Queen of the Coop,” she is a “chicken lifestyle” expert, a New Englander, born and bred, and grew up across the street from her grandparents’ chicken farm. She spent her childhood raising chickens, rabbits, always an outdoor cat, and the occasional pet goat.
Lisa has amassed an audience of nearly one million from all over the globe, who look to her for tips on raising backyard poultry naturally, gardening tips, and her coop-to-kitchen recipes. Her go-to favorites include everything from breakfast and brunch staples, like Eggs Benedict and a classic French trifold “omelet,” to breads, sandwiches, beverages, snacks, soups, salads, pasta, cakes, pies, and condiments. With Lisa’s help, egg lovers have discovered new and exciting ways to incorporate fresh eggs into your daily cooking and baking repertoire.
She has enjoyed countless media features (The View, Martha Knows Best on HGTV, Wall Street Journal, NPR’s Here & Now and The Splendid Table, and the Hallmark Home & Family Show,). Follow her on Instagram @fresheggsdaily.
Rebeka Self is the queen of glamping and the creator of a napkin idea turned into a unique experience. In 2018, Rebeka and her family went on a beach vacation in Florida, where they encountered very noisy neighbors in the hotel room next door. She started brainstorming on the drive back to Georgia with her husband on how they could make a vacation experience better and get the family out into nature to enjoy the great outdoors, much like they did as kids. But without sacrificing luxury, comfort and style, of course.
Timberline Glamping Company was created on that very road trip and by the time they got back from Georgia, the business plan had been formed and the rest is history. Rebeka grew up loving traditional camping. Her husband Nathan on the other hand, after traveling so much internationally for work, preferred a nice, comfortable hotel. They felt that if their own family needed this compromise of Glamping, then there had to be others out there feeling the same way, and it turns out they were right.
What started out as a dream quickly became a passion and a full-time job for her of creating unique, one-of-a-kind getaways. Nathan was able to leave his job in 2020 to join her full-time running Timberline Glamping. There are now six glamping locations in Georgia and one in Florida.
