5 Entrepreneurship Lessons I Learned from Martha Stewart at the Inaugural Tory Burch Foundation Founders Breakfast
Image via Vogue.
Darling, if you ever get the chance to be in the same room as Martha Stewart—you listen.
I recently had the honor of attending the Tory Burch Foundation’s inaugural Founders Breakfast—a gathering of sharp minds, soft power, and serious ambition. Part fashion fantasy, part business summit, and entirely unforgettable, it was a room where elegance met entrepreneurial fire.
But before I get to who was in that room (spoiler: iconic), let’s talk about Martha.
At the heart of it all was Martha Stewart—graceful, grounded, and as unapologetically sharp as her bone china. She didn’t just offer advice. She dropped lessons.
And when it’s 7:45 AM, with coffee in hand and ambition in the air, those lessons land differently.
So here they are: five entrepreneurship lessons I learned from Martha Stewart—with a little Juliette edge, of course.
1. It’s Never Too Late to Start
Martha launched her business at 41. In a world obsessed with overnight success and twenty-something unicorns, she reminded us:
Timing is a myth.
Lesson: Forget the clock. Trust the calling.
2. Evolution is Your Superpower
Martha doesn’t “reinvent”—she evolves. From caterer to cultural icon, she continues to expand, refine, and elevate. Her essence stays the same. Her reach? Boundless.
Lesson: Don’t cling to old versions of yourself. Upgrade—gracefully and often.
3. Think Bigger Than What’s Possible
She half-joked about planting a garden on an uninhabited planet—and honestly? We believed her.
Lesson: The bigger your imagination, the wider your runway.
4. Community is Currency
Martha made it clear: no empire is built alone. Your circle—mentors, collaborators, supporters—shapes your legacy.
Lesson: Build your circle with intention.
5. Stay Curious, Always
Even with her legacy, Martha still learns. That mindset? It’s what keeps her timeless.
Lesson: Curiosity is the most underrated business strategy. Stay hungry.
Watch the whole conversation here.
Photos by Neil Rasmus / BFA.com
Now for the Glamorous Part…
The setting? Pure refinement.
The event took place at The Pierre, a Taj Hotel on the Upper East Side—an NYC landmark where chandeliers sparkle and the carpet whispers legacy. Tables were dressed in vintage-inspired lettuceware from a Tory Burch × Dodie Thayer collaboration. The green juice? Iconic. The company? Even more so.
The room was a who's who of brilliance and grace—Anna Wintour, regal as ever. Pamela Anderson, luminous and grounded. Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx and master of evolution. Amy Griffin, powerhouse investor. Misty Copeland, living poetry. And the ever-gracious Deborah Roberts, a storyteller who brings depth to every room she enters.
And of course, Tory Burch herself—elegant, grounded, and quietly shifting the future of women’s entrepreneurship.
The Billion Dollar Moment
Photo by Neil Rasmus / BFA.com
Before the last plate was cleared, Tory took the mic and made a defining statement—not just about business, but about belief:
“Women entrepreneurs are solving real problems, creating jobs, and helping their communities prosper. Supporting women is simply good for the bottom line.”
She then announced a bold goal:
To support extraordinary women entrepreneurs to add $1 billion to the economy by 2030.
This wasn’t about charity. It was about capital, confidence, and commitment. It was about betting on women—not because it’s trendy, but because it’s smart business.
And Tory said it best—she’s not here to give us power.
We already have it.
She’s just building the ecosystem for it to flourish.
Photo by Neil Rasmus / BFA.com
A Moment to Celebrate
As part of the morning, the Tory Burch Foundation also honored three extraordinary women with the inaugural Founder Award—recognizing vision, adaptability, and dedication to community.
A heartfelt congratulations to:
Christa Cotton, El Guapo Bitters
Denise Woodard, Partake Foods
Beau Wangtrakuldee, AmorSui
Each of them is proof that when women are trusted, backed, and seen—the results ripple through communities, industries, and economies.
So if you’ve been waiting for a sign, for permission, for the perfect time—this is it.
Start bold. Evolve often. Dream wildly. And surround yourself with people who believe in what's possible—even on other planets.
See you at the top. 💋
—Juliette