entertainment / recreation

BurdaStyle

Started in
2006
Location:
New York, NY
Web:
http://www.burdastyle.com

About

Launched in the 1940s, German sewing magazine, Burda Moden, needed a revival. A charismatic young employee at the magazine's publishing house, Hubert Burda Media, was up for the task. Nora Abousteit saw the potential in the concept as a US-based online social community and brought the dream to New York City. She and partner Benedikta Karaisl built the community from the ground up, designing the brand, hiring staff, even hand drawing website wire frames. BurdaStyle is now the go-to destination for sewing lovers worldwide. 330,000 members (and counting!) enjoy features including downloadable sewing patterns, discussion forums, and project galleries. Widely regarded as a pillar in social media, BurdaStyle continues to grow and encourage creativity around the world.

Urban Escapes

Started in
2008
Location:
New York, NY
Web:
http://www.urbanescapesnyc.com

About

Millions of people walk the streets of Manhattan's concrete jungle everyday and rarely see a tree. Or a bird (besides pigeons.) Or the wide blue sky. And few New Yorkers know that just a short drive away, there are places to run with no risk of drive-by taxi collision and rivers to paddle without trash floating by. Maia Josebachvili found her passion exposing New Yorkers to the world outside the city with her rapidly growing company, Urban Escapes. The idea started back at Dartmouth College when she coordinated trips for her favorite hobby: skydiving. And after a two-year career on Wall St., she gave up everything to bring Urban Escapes to life. The affordable adventures, including "Extreme Whitewater Rafting" and "Trails and Ales," constantly sell out and with the help of co-director, Bram Levy, Urban Escapes launched Boston, Philadelphia, and DC branches in the fall of 2009. The sky is literally the limit for this thrill-seeking company as it introduces the world to the outdoors, one city dweller at a time.