Second Life Podcast: Claire Mazur and Erica Cerulo

welcome to second lifeis a podcast that spotlights successful women who have made big changes in their careers and fearlessly mastered the axis. Hosted by Hilary Kerr, Co-Founder and Chief Content Officer of Who What Wear, each episode will introduce you directly to women who are making a difference in their fields. Subscribe second life above apple podcast, spotifyor wherever you get your podcasts.

Claire Mazur and Erica Cerullo are reinventing the world of modern romantic content with their latest venture, 831 Stories. Known for their innovative spirit, Mazur and Cerullo rose to fame in 2010 with their company Of a Kind. The company is an e-commerce platform that celebrates unique fashion pieces while weaving compelling stories about the designers behind them.

Their vision of telling stories through design quickly caught the attention of the retail industry. In 2015, Mazur and Cerulo sold Of a Kind to Bed Bath & Beyond and spent the next four years strengthening the brand and contributing to its millennial marketing strategy. However, Bed Bath & Beyond faced financial difficulties and decided to close Of a Kind in 2019. This unexpected event allowed them to pause, reflect, and consider their next move.

During their exploration and consulting, Mazur and Cerullo felt that the romantic content of books, television, and movies was poised for a change. They found that the excitement around romantic content was as intense as in major fandoms like the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Bravo’s reality TV empire. But despite its widespread appeal, no brand has treated romantic stories with the depth, sophistication, and full experience that other genres have received.