Several years ago... two women started a business. Here's their story....

"Sterling Pear co-founders
Heather Hadfield Dietrich & Janet Hayden"

Sterling Pear was launched in 2006 by Heather Hadfield Dietrich and Janet Hayden.  Sterling Pear started with a different overall concept; designing and selling complete Christmas ornament "kits" (storage solutions, ornaments and linens). 

We designed two ornament storage solutions that were unlike any others on the current market.  Both were luxurious and sophisticated, something fitting to hold the treasures of one's collection of precious heirloom ornaments and collectibles - almost like big jewelry boxes! 

We knew we had something special and we decided to focus solely on these boxes since we didn't have the initial time and resources to roll out the whole ornament "kit" at the same time. 

We launched with our Keepsake Ornament Storage Chest and a few other Christmas decorating products.  Now, each year we've been adding more products with an emphasis on ingenious design and sophistication. 

Heather and I became friends back in the mid-1990's when we were both living and working in Washington, DC as young adults.  I was a few years out of college and had my first "real" job working in corporate fundraising for a national environmental federation.  Heather had just returned from four years of working in Seoul, South Korea where she hosted a national radio show and also taught English as a second language. She was working part-time in a retail shop while she was deciding where to live and finish her degree.

One day I happened to be a customer in the shop where Heather worked.  While ringing me up at the register we made small talk about the store and we realized that we had a connection - my ex-boyfriend was friends with one of her colleagues.  Heather was so genuine and friendly that I knew instantly that we'd be friends.  We exchanged phone numbers and ended up getting together the very next day. 

"Heather & Janet at the
Presidential Inaugural Ball,
January 20, 1997"

As far as friends go, we were instant best friends- nearly inseparable for the next couple of years.  We went night clubbing together, went on double dates, and even went on our first trip to Europe together (thanks to Heather's fabulous travel planning and good travel sense.)  I ended up helping her get a job with my non-profit and we worked together for a few months until she landed a business development and marketing job for a small start-up.  This new job, in turn, provided her many lessons about starting a business and being an entrepreneur. 

Ten years later Heather relocated to the Philadelphia area and I had moved to New York City.  I had been working in various jobs in PR, marketing, banking and was currently a personal assistant to the Chairman of a NYC commercial real estate firm.  I had the specific goal of starting a business of my own but struggled with what type of business it would be.  I attended many start-up business classes on the side, and was soaking up everything entrepreneurial I could.  Heather was a new Mom and was trying to find a balance of being a stay-at-home mom after an industrious career in marketing and corporate event planning. 

One weekend I visited Heather in Philadelphia to see her new home and spend time with her baby. She told me about a business idea she had involving Christmas ornament kits.  I loved her idea and I loved the idea of working with her!  I knew her work ethic and I knew she was someone I could trust!  At that moment, we made the decision to go into business together and it was a natural fit.  I returned to New York with a decision to make it happen.  There was no stopping us!

Since then we've made a few mistakes and even had our share of setbacks.  We were on the brink of quitting numerous times.  But each time, one of us would always stay positive and pull the other out of the dumps, providing encouragement that we could succeed.

 "Keepsake Storage Chests"

By 2010 we finally broke even and made a small profit.  It is very satisfying to know that the business has grown every year - (even after the incredibly rough second year of the crash).  We no longer doubt our ability to succeed and it is only onward and upward for us!

And I guess you can say.... The rest is history! 

by Janet Hayden 

Easy & Memorable Valentine's Table

Still trying to come up with a plan for Valentine’s Day?  Are you past the need to head out for that romantic restaurant with all the other couples?  Well, why not set a pretty table for dinner in! Kids/no kids, paired up with friends/just the two of you, take-out/homemade -- it’ll make for a nice change from the typical Sunday night routine.

Start by repurposing holiday items.  Break out a red table runner or tablecloth from the recent holidays.  For a focal point, take a clear glass or crystal vase and fill it with conversation hearts.  Finish by adding your favorite white, pink or red flowers.  Remember, don’t fill the vase with water or your hearts will become mush! 

Next scatter candles across the center of the table.  You can also fill small ramekins or glass bowls with chocolate covered almonds, cashews, raisins, or blueberries.  Arrange these amid the candles. 

Finally, a quick and easy way to dress up place settings is to replace napkin holders with red or pink satin ribbon tied in a big, beautiful bow.  With just a few minutes’ work, you’re set for a memorable dinnertime in the comfort of your own home!

Oh, some quick dessert ideas:  make a pan of brownies and cut them out with a heart-shaped cookie cutter.  Serve with your favorite ice cream and garnish a side of strawberries or raspberries.  If your selection of cookie cutters is non-existent, make a quick heart-shaped stencil out of paper.  Place it over cupcakes (square-cut brownies, slices of Bundt cake, larger round cakes will all do the trick too) and shake confectioner’s sugar or cocoa onto the stencil.  Gently remove the stencil, and voila! A beautiful presentation for easy, everyday desserts!

Contributed by Heather Martinez