The Hudson Valley is home to some incredibly talented and creative women who have turned their passions into businesses. These entrepreneurs have carved out a unique space for themselves in their respective industries and are an inspiration to anyone looking to turn their own creative dreams into reality.

Justine Porter of Found & Fixed

Justine Porter is the founder and co-owner of Found & Fixed. Found & Fixed Hudson Valley diverts furniture from the landfill by repairing, refinishing, and repainting damaged wood pieces. There are currently 3 ways to work with her team:

1. Collaborate with to repair and renew a piece that you have at home

2. Work to design a unique piece that you’re looking for

3. Purchase from inventory of completed pieces

Their showroom in Highland is available to tour by appointment through their website if you want to check it out for yourselves.

Justine has a background in non-profit and social-enterprise management. She holds an MBA in Sustainability from Bard College, is a SUNY Geneseo grad, and a member of the Pacific Crest Trail class of 2020.

Kym Chambers of Chambers Vintage

Kym Chambers is the founder and owner of Chambers Vintage, an expertly curated collection of 20th century womens vintage clothing & ready-to-wear garments in Saugerties, NY.

“I try and weave my [intuitive, and creative] concept in an approachable and fun way to interact with the brand.”

Cameron Simcik of Hummbird Creative

Cameron Simcik is the founder and owner of Hummbird Creative, a digital art and design studio based in the Hudson Valley. After spending years feeling unfulfilled in the corporate world, Simcik discovered her passion for digital art and turned it into a thriving business.

Photo of Cameron by Jessica Yurko Photography

Emily Amarnick of Mrs. Pleasant

Emily Amarnick is the founder and owner of Mrs. Pleasant, a plant-based catering and eco-friendly food service. Amarnick's culinary creatioms are both beautiful and environmentally conscious, and her business has garnered a large following of customers who share her values.

When asked how she balances her focus on the reality of needing business growth while also being a creative, Emily says, "I think it's all about taking everything one step at a time. Growing a business takes time and patience. Not every idea is going to be a success, but there's always room to tweak or think of a new idea."

On the topic of enjoying the business side of things while also having to create/produce product, Emily advises, "Leaning into the areas of your business you don't like and seeing it as a learning opportunity (ex: Yes, you may be able to hire a bookkeeper, but you still need to know what's going on with your finances)."

Kaitlyn Murray of Apres Lamour

Kaitlyn Murray is the founder and owner of Apres Lamour, a sustainable and ethical clothing brand based in the Hudson Valley. Murray's designs are stunning, and her commitment to sustainability and ethical production make her brand stand out in the upcycling clothing industry.

When asked for a tip to apply in leveraging a creative brain while also needing to reach a business return, Kaitlyn suggests, "Take time to create just for the fun of creating with no expectations of a return. When I make space to create, it helps release the stress or tension of running a business. We need both the creative and business side, but I feel like it's easy to get caught up in the business side and forget to play with the creativity side."

Conclusion

These six women are proof that with hard work, dedication, and a little bit of creativity, you can turn your passion into a successful and fulfilling business. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or simply someone looking to be inspired by incredible women doing incredible things, these Hudson Valley business owners are definitely worth keeping an eye on.

And as Cameron Simcik of Hummbird Creative reminds us, creativity can often be the key to alleviating stress during times in business. She says, "What started as a creative escape quickly turned into an obsession, and Hummbird Creative was born." So don't be afraid to lean into your own creative pursuits - you never know where they might take you.

Consider joining Hudson Community Incubator for more conscious and creative business owner inspiration, here.