Our annual special section celebrates the talents and accomplishments of seven outstanding businesswomen who reap the rewards of doing what they truly love for a living.
HELENA SIMON
Helena Simon | San Francisco, California
With children on the verge of leaving the nest, Helena Simon felt the stirrings of fresh beginnings in her own life. “It’s now or never,” the fifth-generation San Franciscan told herself. “I have to do something that speaks to me.” Though the years at home, as well as those spent writing academic curriculum and working for art institutions, were rewarding, she longed for an outlet to express her affinity for fashion, design, and gardening. As Helena explored opportunities related to those interests, an idea for creating floral brooches blossomed into an eponymous brand devoted to luxe, botanically inspired embellishments with timeless appeal.
“Think really long and hard and quietly about what it is you want to do, what you want to create.”
—Helena Simon
LINDSAY THOMAS
Garland Bags | Savannah, Georgia
When curating an unforgettable outfit, an elegant accessory with just the right amount of pizzazz can elevate a look without overpowering. Lindsay Thomas, founder of Garland Bags, understands this nuance, as her brand offers fashionable one-of-a-kind pieces. Lindsay did not initially set out to be an entrepreneur, and upon college graduation, she tried her hand at advertising, sales, and fundraising, but all the while she longed for creativity and flexibility once her two children were born.
“Our accessories are a way to express, ‘I’m fun, I have a boldness, I have a taste that’s unique.’”
—Lindsay Thomas
PARIS GERANIOTIS ADKISON
With Love By Bug | Boston, Massachusetts
Romantic afternoons, accompanied by a steaming cup of tea and a beloved hobby, beckon a new generation yearning for time away from the cares of daily life. From crochet and knitting to needlepoint, these slow-paced activities of days gone by encourage unhurried moments of respite. For Paris Geraniotis Adkison, this frame of mind sits at the heart of her company, With Love By Bug.
“I create pieces with a childlike playfulness and coastal elements. I want to bring you back to a time when things were simpler.”
—Paris Geraniotis Adkison
ANABEL FOURNIER
Rose Vanilla | Fairfax, Virginia
As Shakespeare observed, a rose by any other name would smell as sweet, and likewise, when fashioned from buttercream and a trained artist’s hand, a rose can be just as beautiful as the natural blossom. For Anabel Fournier, the art of baking desserts bedecked with lifelike florals, vintage-inspired frosting, and other creative expressions has been honed over the last twenty-six years and across multiple continents.
“What I offer is more than dessert, it’s edible art, made to be remembered.”
—Annabel Fournier
AMY VOLOSHIN
Printfresh | Philadelphia, Pennysylvania
There’s nothing better than a silken pair of pajamas awaiting at the end of the day. No matter what the previous hours have held, when crossing the threshold of one’s home, the opportunity to change clothes into something unique and, most importantly, comfortable extends a gentle invitation to rest. This mission rings true for Amy Voloshin, founder and creative director of Printfresh. Bright colors, bold patterns, and playful designs are hallmarks of this luxury loungewear company.
“I think our success comes from a combination of really hard work and a little bit of luck.”
—Amy Voloshin
KIM HOCHMUTH DIMAGGIO
Rose Blossom Cottage | George West, Texas
Like many women, Kim Hochmuth DiMaggio finds herself spinning a lot of plates, but the only ones showing any sign of fracture are the ones she herself carves with artful precision to fashion keepsake jewelry. Under Kim’s skillful hand, well-loved china is transformed into dainty charm bracelets, earrings, or necklaces sold in her online shop, Rose Blossom Cottage.
“Sometimes the most delightful things are closest to you, and they are just so common they get overlooked.”
—Kim Hochmuth DiMaggio
BLAIR SAIZ
The Village Green | Newport, Rhode Island
“If rambling gardens, heritage estates, and stone walls veiled in ivy come to mind when perusing the charming selection of offerings stocked in The Village Green, it’s no surprise. Blair Saiz, the founder of the quaint online shop, draws heavily upon such a milieu to shape the vision for the lifestyle brand that she and her husband launched in 2021. “You can easily see the influence of the British literature and history that I cherish,” says Blair. “The English countryside, in particular, has a charm and beauty that I constantly look to for inspiration.”
“We seek to create timeless goods and apparel that inspire beauty in the everyday.”
—Blair Saiz
Red more about these inspiring female entrepreneurs in our January/February 2026 issue, available on local newsstands or in our online shop at victoriamag.com
