“We believe every woman is a superhero. We design for today’s multifaceted, multitasking woman so that she can look good, feel good, do good and get on with being her superhero self.”
– Veronica Swanson Beard and Veronica Miele Beard
Let’s rewind to the very beginning of the month on March 1 at Saks Fifth Avenue Boca Raton. It was the perfect setting to kickstart Women’s History Month with a special and stylish visit by the two dynamite forces behind the beloved international brand Veronica Beard, Veronica Swanson Beard and Veronica Miele Beard. Guests were inspired by the two Veronicas with their personal stories covering business, family and fashion. March also welcomed a new season. With spring in the air, all those in attendance enjoyed a fashion show featuring the newest Veronica Beard spring collection designed for “the women who get up and get going.”
Although the month that celebrates women, magnifying all of their wonderful achievements, is coming to a close, let’s continue to be empowered and inspired to be our own “superhero self” year-round. What better way to do that then by closing out March the same way we started it, with an unfiltered interview with powerhouses that not only walk the walk (in fabulous shoes), but #MAKEITHAPPEN each and every day.
What inspired you to go from sisters-in-law to business partners?
After leaving our careers in finance and fashion to raise our families, we found ourselves at family gatherings talking about our new favorite designers, must-have pieces and styling tricks. We both quickly realized there was a void in the market for clothing that you could live in, the wardrobe MVPs that make it easy for women to get out the door in the morning looking and feeling good.
How do you complement each other, and have you learned something new about one another in the process of working together?
We would not be where we are today if there weren’t two of us. Our two perspectives are what make this brand so unique and genuine. While we don’t always agree on every minute decision or design detail, we are always aligned on the big picture and with two of us, we can divide and conquer, which is a lifesaver when balancing our own kids and family lives. Having each other really makes our successes that much more rewarding.
What would you mainly attribute to your brand’s success?
Being connected to our customers has been our success. Every step of our design process is looking at our lifestyle, her lifestyle and what she needs. Women designing for women is a bit of an advantage—we walk in their shoes every day. We design for reality.
What has been the most challenging aspect of starting and growing your brand?
Learning how to manage our time. We’re juggling so many things, so we’ve got to keep it moving and think of the big picture. You can’t get caught up in the weeds on something that doesn’t impact the greater good of the business.
What inspires you when designing new collections?
Our customer—the women who get up and get going. Women who make it happen, who go out and slay their dragons, only to do it all over again the next day.
You’ve had such cool collaborations in the past and your latest one, WONDER WOMAN X Veronica Beard, is as cool it gets. How did the idea for this collaboration come to fruition?
When we first designed the dickey jacket in 2010, we called it the Wonder Woman cape. We believe every woman is a superhero, and we wanted to celebrate that through the collaboration. We design for today’s multifaceted, multitasking woman—so that she can look good, feel good and do good… And get on with being her superhero self.
Of course I have to ask, what’s your “superpower”?
VSB: My faith in things working out as they should, my hustle, my decisiveness.
VMB: Optimism & positive energy! Good things happen when you have a positive outlook!
The Make It Happen campaign was launched last year featuring and celebrating amazing women. Why was it important for you to launch and continue this message to #MAKEITHAPPEN?
We want to celebrate the women who inspire us—the doers and makers, the movers and shakers. The women who get up and get it done, live life to the fullest and crave wonder and grace. The women who chase after their dreams, give back and make a difference.
Aside from female empowerment, you give back in so many ways, having supported countless nonprofit organizations. Which causes resonate the most with you?
We have partnered with some incredible organizations and, by design, chosen partners that focus on different causes so we can maximize our impact.
Having achieved so much in business and building an internationally-beloved brand, where do you envision Veronica Beard five years from now?
It’s difficult to think in those terms but we’re so excited about the future. The best is yet to come.
As moms, how do you juggle between family and work? Is there such a thing as finding the right balance between the varying aspects that make up life?
We have eight children between us, which keeps our priorities in line. We both make it a priority to spend time with family in the morning, the evening and on weekends.
What is one thing that most would not generally know about you?
VSB: I speak fluent Spanish.
VMB: I love a good bet.
What is the best advice you’ve received in business and/or life?
VSB: One foot in front of the other.
VMB: Don’t build the stadium before the fans.
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