Tell us about yourself:We are two best friends, Jennifer Ross and Cristina Ros Blankfein, and are the founders of Swoon, a line of naturally zero sugar iced teas and lemonades. We are on a mission to help make people happier and healthier one drink at a time.
How did the two of you meet?Like every good meet-cute story, we met at a bar! However, we actually reconnected at business school as we were seated next to each other as we have the same last name (Ros and Ross). From there we became best friends and then eventually business partners.
What inspired you to create Swoon?We started Swoon out of a true personal need. I’m (Jen) Type 1 Diabetic and was diagnosed when I was 6yo and have always been on the hunt for a great tasting zero sugar drink that isn’t filled with all of the chemicals like aspartame. I still remember sneaking Pink Lemonade at school not only because it tasted great but also because it was what all of my friends were drinking and even today, as an adult, we want to create something that brings people together and not feel othered.
JEN: It's not a product but I can't live without acupuncture. I completely swear by it for everything from a cold, to hip pain, to helping me sleep.
What’s one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?JEN: To really try to not sweat the small stuff. I would get so worked up by so many things and it probably took years off my life when in reality - it didn't really matter. Things can seem like the biggest deal in the world but sometimes you just need to take a step back and ask yourself what is the worst that can happen here.
How do you balance running a growing business while maintaining personal time and self-care?CRISTINA: If you have the answer, please tell me! Core to our mission at Swoon is to make time for daily celebrations - whether it be treating yourself with a flavor bursting beverage (that’s still good for you, too) or recognizing personal and professional accomplishments of team members regularly. I try to do the same in my personal life and “treat myself” to a tea with a close friend after kids’ school drop off, reading a celebrity gossip website on my way to a meeting, or indulging in an unexpected midday ice cream on a winter Saturday with my kids. For me, these spontaneous, regular treats break up my otherwise pretty routinized days and give me joy and perspective. I find that when I live out loud my “sneaky” pleasures, I am more focused, creative, grateful, and energized to turn challenges into opportunities.
CRISTINA: I admire so many women in history, on the Swoon team, and in my personal life. Adult female friendships are a particular treasure for me in this stage of life. But, right now, I have to say that my seven year old daughter, Lucia, is one of my greatest sources of inspiration and support. She has such a natural, almost naive sense of self-confidence that I endeavor to help her protect as she goes through life. The ease with which she unabashedly wears costumes to a restaurant, asks questions without boundaries, and carries herself into any room is inspiring. She also does not overthink her choices and trusts her instincts. She takes pride in sounding out a tricky word to get the spelling right, while having no shame in asking for help when she is not sure. She is unabashedly herself and does not question her worth. She motivates me to do the same, despite my being aware of our society’s unique pressures on female leaders. Lucia is just the coolest!