As a startup founder, I am constantly on the go with all my gadjets… from office to home and back to the office. From laptop to phone and even my working glasses (yes I need to wear glasses while using the computer). I find everything is contanstly smudged up. Last year I found the perfect solution, Spruce & Co wipes.  They are perfect for me and my busy schedule and the best solution for my constant OCD of wiping down my devices. With holiday season here and gifts on mind… these are for sure on my gift pick list, I'll be sending these out to my busy professional and on-the-go friends. 

I was excited to learn the founders behind this genius idea, are two women! {Pictured above – Jillian Ressler to the left and Jill Applebaum, to the right in black sweater} Read the interview below on these two amazing Leading Ladies! 

 {SS}: What is your current profession? 

{JA and JR}: We co-founded Spruce & Co, a wellness-focused consumer products startup. Our first product is a cleaning wipe to get all of the grime off of your phone, tablet, computer and glasses (Hint: they get very dirty)! Our screen cleaning wipes – “Sprucies” – are made in Maine. They are plant-based (derived from coconut), vegan, and free of alcohol, ammonia and fragrance. Our team is made up of the two of us and a growing crew of talented interns, freelance photographers and designers!

 {SS}: Tell us about your typical day.

{JA and JR}: Each morning, we meet in our office, where we stock our inventory and do fulfillment for our e-commerce orders. We pack and ship the orders that came in overnight (coupled with handwritten thank you notes). After that, every day is different. One day, we are running around NYC meeting with prospective distribution partners and giving them samples (e.g., hotels, offices, gyms, retailers). Another day, we are testing formulas for a new product, sending pitch emails to editors for PR coverage, and meeting with our designers on packaging updates.

{SS}: What do you love about your job?

{JA}: We are starting everything from scratch – and it’s very rewarding to discover new fans of our product. We were fortunate to be featured on Good Morning America this past summer and Michael Strahan looked at our product and said “I need these immediately!” We replayed that clip a few times – that was definitely a high point!

{JR}: I love that every success is attributable to our direct actions and input. I love being able to learn new things on a regular basis, and constantly try to find new creative ways to make our business successful and continue to grow. I love that we have complete strangers call us and email us just to let us know we created something that they love and need!

{SS}: How did you come up with the idea for Spruce & Co? 

{JA and JR}: The two of us became fast friends when we found ourselves in the same classroom at Harvard Business School (HBS). We quickly bonded over our shared names, obsession with our phones and self-proclaimed germaphobia. Prior to HBS, Jillian was teaching Kindergarten in a tech-enabled classroom. She was constantly offended by the Cheetos and saliva-covered surfaces of her classroom’s iPads. Jill always used hand sanitizer to clean her iPhone, but one day ruined her speaker. We started chatting about how dirty our devices are and we couldn’t find any products that worked well that weren’t full of strong chemicals. We realized there was a demand for this product so we decided to set out and develop our own solution!

{SS}: Can you share any insight into the journey from inception to launching the company? How long did it take?

{JA and JR}: We started exploring the idea behind Spruce & Co during our first year at HBS. We participated in an entrepreneurial summer program (Summer of 2014) through which we were given grant funding to lay the initial groundwork for our business. This funding helped us with our market research, initial formula development and logo and packaging designs. 

We placed our first inventory order in November 2014 and spent the rest of the school year doing sampling and testing. That was a crazy and stressful time period – we ended up having some formula issues and had to throw away everything we had purchased and start fresh! By the time graduation rolled around in May 2015, we had a product we loved and decided to pursue Spruce & Co full time from New York City.

{SS}: Any advice to those starting out in your profession/starting a business?

{JA and JR}: One piece of advice we discuss often: Everyone (especially other entrepreneurs) will offer you suggestions when you’re starting your business. It’s important to remember that their suggestions are colored by their own past experience. What makes one company successful may not be the same thing that makes your company successful. Make sure to take in all of the recommendations thoughtfully and don’t lose sight of what makes sense for your unique business or idea.

 {SS}: What would you tell your 23 year old self?

{JR}:  Your first job is most likely not going to be your career, so don’t stress too much about every decision, and just try to learn as much as you can in whatever it is you are doing in the moment. It will be valuable later!

{JA}: Ditto what Jillian said. Also, start taking care yourself and don’t order pad thai for breakfast. 

 Where do you, personally, get your daily news fix?

{JR}: I get my news mainly on my phone now, except on the weekends when I get the New York Times delivered, which I love! Every morning I check Apple News recommendations for me, the New York Times app, The Post app, and Breaking News. 

{JA}:  I have a trifecta of email digests that get me started: Quartz, The New York Times and theSkimm. 

{SS}: What do you do to make you feel beautiful, confident and ready to take on anything?

{JA}: I feel my best after a SoulCycle class, long shower and some mascara! 

{JR}: I don’t have much of a regular makeup routine, but I love face masks and do 2 per week usually. I also love eyebrow tint. 

 {SS}: What is your “Style Archetype?” 

{JA and JR}: Classic

 {SS}: Who is your Style Icon?

{JA}: I always love seeing what Eva Chen and Amal Clooney are wearing – two very different styles, but both women always look incredible.

{JR}: My style icon is my grandmother, she is the chicest person I know, and also classic and glamourous. 

 {SS}: Where do you find style + fashion inspiration?

{JA}: Instagram + strolling the streets of New York!

{JR}: Magazines, Instagram, the street. 

{SS}:  Who inspires you in the business world?

{JA}: My grandfathers – both of them were serial entrepreneurs who never stopped working into their old age.

{JR}: I’m inspired by people who find opportunity and create new products that you can’t imagine not having. Whether it is Facebook, the Swiffer, Spanx or an iPhone, any individual who is able to create a truly habit causing product that you can’t imagine functioning without is someone inspiring. 

 {SS}: What is your power song?

{JA and JR}: We never get sick of listening to the Hamilton soundtrack or Beyonce’s Lemonade album at work.

{SS}: What is your power outfit or accessory?

{JA}: A cropped black leather jacket always does the trick!

{JR}: I live in vintage Levi’s and white t-shirts. Makes me feel casual but put together. 

{SS}: Who inspires you and why?

{JA}: I am continually inspired by Sheryl Sandberg. She led the team I was on at Google during my first job out of college and I have looked up to her ever since. She leads with this combination of boldness and openness that is very rare. 

{JR}: I’m inspired by anyone who trusts their visions and their voice. From the Obamas to Steve Jobs. 

{SS}: Please share with us any of your favorite LOCAL stops in your local neighborhood ?

{JR}: Basics Plus – an amazing hardware store that has everything you might want, including delicious smoothies! 

{JA}: ABC Home – a beautiful but dangerous store to visit! 

{SS}: What are afew of your favorite items currently on Styleshack? 

Hersh's / Finley Basic White Barrett Blouse / $178

GuysnGals/ Frame Denim Le Skinny De Jeanne – Jewell / $239

Styleshack Feature Products / ALICE + OLIVIA POINTED-TOE PUMPS / $110

Styleshack Feature Products / GIGI NEW YORK UBER PEBBLED LEATHER CLUTCH / $135.10

{SS}:  What are YOUR words to live by?  {JA quote #1, JR quote #2}:    

EDITORS NOTE: I LOVE MY SPRUCIES – CURRENTLY FEATURED IN MY EDITOR'S HOLIDAY GIFT PICKS – SHOP THEM HERE… AND RECEIVE 20% OFF with promo code:  STYLESHACK when checking out!  {Valid on all orders through 1/31/17}