Launched in 2005, WellesleyWeston Magazine is a quarterly publication tailored to Wellesley and Weston residents and edited to enrich the experience of living in two of Massachusetts' most desirable communities.
Issue link: https://wellesleywestonmagazine.epubxp.com/i/256387
mill with a jacquard loom and napping machine to replicate Lamby's cozy feel. The two began developing a business plan for the specialty blanket available in an array of patterns to appeal to females, males, children, and adults. Beth and Monica collaborate on strategy, product development, and day-to-day operations of ChappyWrap and divide other responsibilities according to their interests, strengths, and pro- fessional experience. Sue and Angie launched their business during the economic decline of 2008. With only a handful of clients from Angie's solo coaching prac- tice, they began building a team and workshop offerings in anticipation of the economy rebounding and companies investing in their leaders again. From the start, Sue and Angie's roles play to their strengths. Sue focuses on operations, Angie designs workshop content, and both share responsibility for business development and client management. The 3D team has coached dozens of leaders and conducted hundreds of 360-degree feedback assessments with organizations ranging from large global companies to entrepreneurial start-ups to nonprofits. In 2013, peers from the local chapter of the International Coach Federation voted Angie the New England Executive Coach of the Year. Ben and Maria went into business planning to hold distinct respon- sibilities, with Ben leading investment banking and Maria in charge of securities research, sales, and trading. After a couple of years in busi- ness, changes in the capital markets environment necessitated shutting down Maria's area and refocusing her contribution on investment banking along with Ben. Ben credits their tight bond with getting them through what could have been an extremely devastating juncture in their partnership. He is the first to acknowledge that it is lucky for the business that they did forge ahead. Now seven years later, Ben reports that Maria has surpassed him in revenue generation, having developed relationships with entrepreneurs and building up her infor- mation security investment banking franchise. Maria is quick to downplay Ben's accolades, explaining that Ben spends more time man- aging their growing business, which limits his focus on deal making. Dee Dee and Jill call themselves "virtual partners." Working from separate locations — Dee Dee operates out of Newton and Jill out of Wellesley — the two see very little of each other. Jill explains, "Our biggest challenge is getting together in person. We text, e-mail, and occasionally speak over the phone." Given the trust they have built over several years, they simply back each other up, refer clients to one another, and confer only when making major decisions, such as an investment in new equipment. I've Got Your Back Whether it's time off for vacation, medical issues, or family demands, all four sets of business owners are there for their partners – virtually without needing to ask. "It's as if we are in a job-share," comments Beth about how she and Monica support one another without miss- ing a beat. Because Sue and Angie's professional and personal lives are intertwined, they admit that it can be hard to shut off from work completely when they are together. But on the flip side, they credit 132 W e l l e s l e y W e s t o n M a g a z i n e | s p r i n g 2 0 1 4 Future Shapes Jill and Dee Dee customize all personal training services to meet individual clients' needs and goals, including improving core strength, cardiovascular conditioning, bone density, bal- ance, flexibility, posture, and coordination. Together with a team of trainers, they deliver one-on-one personal training and youth fitness small group programs in Newton Highlands and in Wellesley at the Fitness Club for Women. Dee Dee Antonelli and Jill Blondek of Future Shapes business "their friendship remains constant" M A U R A W A Y M A N 128-134_WWMa14_Business_partners_v2_business 2/2/14 12:31 PM Page 132