Turning Passions Into Professions: How Two Women Have Imbued Their Businesses with Creativity
BY AMALIA SARDINHA, GRADE 11
In the world of business, diversity of thought is the driving force behind innovation. In order for diversity of thought to exist and effectuate its purpose, businesses need to be led by people with a range of backgrounds, cultures, and genders. So why are women underrepresented in the entrepreneurial field? According to Guidant Financial, women made up only 22.4% of all small business owners in the United States in 2022.
Despite these statistics, two Brooklyn women have drawn from their corporate backgrounds to create successful businesses. Ashley Harris, with a passion for jewelry and craft, established Don't Let Disco, a beaded jewelry brand that thrives on individuality and self-expression. Kate Pauley launched Create Dinners, a company that hosts dinner parties where creative women can gather to connect and collaborate.
Ashley Harris, having formerly worked in account management and content marketing, found her calling in crafting colorful beaded jewelry adorned with playful themes, from beads that look like Lego pieces to necklaces that look like a fish blowing bubbles. These unique pieces call to nostalgia, an ethos represented in the company’s very name, “Don’t Let Disco” – a play on the saying “Don’t Let This Go.” Ashley noted that uniqueness as a key factor to Don’t Let Disco’s success thus far, saying, “I think it’s one of the reasons why we’ve been so successful, because there are a lot of beaded brands on the market. I think we’ve managed to pique people’s interest in a way that feels refreshing and feels inspiring.” Ashley also noted that her experience in account management gave her a strong business foundation: “All the things I was doing I had taken from my toolbox that I had built along the way.” Ashley's experience in the corporate world equipped her with the skills to navigate the business landscape and pivot her passion into a successful business venture.
Ashley Harris, founder of Don’t Let Disco. Vogue
Kate Pauley, with a background in digital marketing and photography, was able to turn what started as one dinner party into Create Dinners. While still working at a marketing agency, Pauley started Create Dinners as a passion project. “I wanted to do a fun dinner party with other creative women, like a creative potluck where every single person in attendance brings something to contribute.” As a result, she sent out an invitation to seven friends, and from there Create Dinners was born. For Kate, the evolution of Create Dinners was an organic process: “We went from seven friends at an event to a website, and people started asking, ‘How do I get involved?’” This increased interest marked the shift that allowed Create Dinners to transition from a passion project to a concrete business model. Kate’s ability to combine her digital marketing expertise with her creative pursuits enabled her to establish a platform that resonated with women seeking connections and collaboration.
Kate Pauley, founder of Create Dinners. Cherry Bombe
The journeys of Ashley Harris and Kate Pauley exemplify how by following one’s passion, one can create a business imbued with the vibrance of originality. Through Don't Let Disco and Create Dinners, these women have developed successful businesses that stand as celebrations of authenticity and creativity, as well as examples of the endless possibilities for women in business.
This article was written during the GWS Summer Writing Workshop. Taught by the GWS Publication Team, the workshop hosted young journalists in grades 1 through 12, each with a passion for writing and learning. Over five weeks throughout the summer, students brainstormed, researched, outlined, drafted, revised, and ultimately produced an article about a topic related to women in business. Learn more about the workshop here.
