Ellen Bennett

We had the pleasure of speaking with Ellen Bennett of Hedley & Bennett on IG Live this March, and we’re excited to share more of her story here on our blog! ICYMI, Ellen is just as vibrant a human as her Instagram portrays, and if you’ve ever put on a Hedley & Bennett apron, you know just how talented she is – they’re incredible. AND, she wrote a book! Keep reading to learn more about Bennett’s inspiring journey that started in the kitchen and led her straight to the top.

Here's How It Went:

Tell us who you are and what you do!

Ellen: I am Ellen Bennett, the Founder and CEO of Hedley & Bennett. I worked in a 2 Michelin Star Restaurant, hated our uniforms and wanted to make gear that looked and felt amazing and was proper for those working in a professional kitchen. Fast forward to today, we not only outfit professional kitchens but home cooks as well and have created this beautiful community of people who are in love with cooking.

What inspired you to start Hedley & Bennett?

Ellen: I couldn’t stand our kitchen staff’s poorly designed and cheaply made aprons so when our head chef announced he was ordering a new batch, I blurted out, “Chef, I have an apron company.” At the time, I did not have a company, or a business plan—just a glimmer of a design idea and a business license. Through pure hustle I built that first order into the company Hedley & Bennett is today, making aprons and kitchen gear worn by many of the world’s best chefs and home cooks everywhere.

You clearly had a passion for cooking - have you always had a passion for design as well? Where do you draw design inspiration from? So when you started doing it, did you know that it could be a business and that you could grow your following the way that you have?

Ellen: I've always enjoyed making things better than they were. I love looking at something at first glance and seeing all the things it can become versus what it is. This could be applied to design and cooking. You see a vegetable and you think of all of the amazing things it can become. With design, I remember driving by old houses and thinking of all the things I would do if it was my house. I would think about painting the shutters, replacing the roof, getting new windows, everything from the bottom up. Design to me is about curiosity and problem solving and making things better, not only better visually, but functionally as well.

What is the biggest challenge of starting a business in your opinion?

Ellen: The beginning is the hardest part – starting and being able to continue despite hitting roadblocks. I often see people throwing in the towel on roadblock number 7 or mile 20. Failure is part of it, you just need to adjust and adapt as you are going along the way. One can't throw in the towel when they have so much to go.

What advice would you give to a young woman starting a business or following her passion?

Ellen: They need to read my book Dream First, Details Later :). When I wrote it, I did so to inspire people and give them the inspiration to go out there and make s**t happen. It really starts with you and the decision that you can do something big, you just need to put it into action. You can't wait for the perfect scenario because you can be waiting your entire life. Just begin, even if it's not perfect, even if you fail. Who cares?! At least you tried.

What is your morning routine?

Ellen: I wake up, make my way downstairs and there is my pet pig Oliver staring at me ready to go outside following his slumber on the couch. I take him outside and feed him while I make myself a cup of mint tea. My husband Casey and I will procrastinate for about five minutes then it's time to get cracking on emails. We get up, we work until we pass out and do it all over again – it’s somewhat of an all-in household!

Photo by Shayan Asgharnia

What would you say is your ‘superpower’?

Ellen: I would say I have a pretty endless stream of energy. It keeps me going no matter what happens. That doesn’t mean there are not any challenges, I am just willing to push myself to find comfort in uncomfortable scenarios. I have worked on pushing through because I know I will get to the other side, even if I am bleeding and broken. Resilience, grit, and energy keep me moving forward.

If you could right now, what advice would you give to your younger self?

Ellen: I would tell myself to have more empathy with myself. I am extremely driven to just get out ahead in life, and I sometimes fail to see the accomplishments along the way. I would teach myself to understand and take in the good and the bad moments along the way.

We have to ask, what’s your favorite dessert?!

Ellen: PIE ALL DAY! Pecan, cherry, peach, blueberry, I love them all! It needs to be warm and must have semi-whipped cream with some salt and just a touch of sugar so it's almost more salty than sweet. That is my definition of magic.

 

Hungry for more? Listen to the full interview with Melissa & Ellen on our IGTV.

Did you make this recipe? We want to know! Tag us in your baking creations on instagram @bakedbymelissa!