Estelle Colored Glass' Founder on Navigating Rapid Growth During COVID
In this episode of Women in Retail Talks, Women in Retail Leadership Circle Senior Content Strategist Ashley Chiaradio interviews Stephanie Summerson Hall, founder of Estelle Colored Glass, a luxury brand of hand-blown colored glass cake stands and stemware. Hall discusses how her grandmother inspired her to start the brand (0:46), Estelle’s vintage-inspired yet refined and modern colored glass collection (1:44), and the research behind deciding to manufacture the glass in Poland (2:34).
In addition, Hall shares how the COVID-19 pandemic increased brand awareness and sales as consumers invested in home goods (4:18), the organic growth of Estelle Colored Glass’ wholesale business (5:38), and how the company navigated the challenges associated with rapid growth during the pandemic (7:08). Lastly, Hall discusses the retail trends she’s forecasting for the rest of this year (8:59) and her advice for other entrepreneurs to dream big but act responsibly as they test and grow their businesses (11:21).
A South Carolina native, Stephanie Hall graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, eventually earning her J.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law. Following law school, Hall practiced business and corporate tax law in the metropolitan D.C. area for a decade.
In 2005, while still practicing law, Hall founded Ruth’s House Event Rentals, a full-service event rental company based out of Charleston, S.C. and Holly Hill, S.C. Realizing entrepreneurship was her path, Hall moved back to South Carolina to take over the reins of the family business, Ruth’s House Event Rentals, as CEO. Hall also went on to co-found Wedding Flowers for Rent with her sister — a rent-and-return wedding flower service. In 2019, Hall launched her most daring endeavor yet, Estelle Colored Glass, inspired by her grandmother’s love for colored glass.
Date: June 29, 2021
Credits: Stephanie Summerson Hall
Duration: 14:04
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