Claire and Erica's Business Runs on Friendship, Not VC Funding

Claire Mazur and Erica Cerulo's careers are intertwined and built around a deep friendship that goes back to their days as undergrads at the University of Chicago. They got set up on a friend date, hit it off and remained close ever since. "We always knew the minor characters in each other's work lives," says Erica. After graduating, both of them moved to New York. Erica worked in magazines at Lucky and Details, while Claire worked in the theater world. Then, their first business idea was born: Of a Kind, an ecomm site that stocked goods from over 600 independent designers and makers. Claire and Erica's brand was born in the heyday of New York's fashion startup boom alongside Rent the Runway and Warby Parker. In an exciting turn, Of a Kind was acquired by Bed, Bath and Beyond, only to be shuttered a few years later. Today, the pair are still working together on their newsletter and podcast brand, A Thing or Two. On this episode of the podcast, Claire and Erica explain how women's friendship can fuel great businesses, when it's ok to walk away from a great project and how success shouldn't be measured in VC dollars raised. Subscribe to A Thing or Two's newsletter or listen to their podcast at athingortwohq.com. Get your very own Workplace Affirmation Deck from Girlboss at girlboss.com/affirmations! Sign up for Girlboss Daily, our must-read morning newsletter, at girlboss.com/newsletter. You'll get A+ career advice, dream job postings, free coffee every Friday and a few emojis (because we’re fun like that), delivered right to your inbox. Looking for your next dream employee? Post your open role on our Girlboss Job Board at jobs.girlboss.com. Girlboss Goods, our women-owned and operated marketplace, makes it easier for you to vote with your dollar while also championing small businesses. Head to girlboss.com/goods. Happy shopping!