Queer Women We Love, Red Hot Entrepreneurs, Wonder Women

Workin’ It 2011

September 19, 2011 Liz Gold

The Real L Word fans know Romi Klinger from her spot on the Showtime reality series, but this Pasadena, Calif.-born jewelry designer has lived a best-seller life since growing up in the care of two mothers and a father. Our cover girl has been a successful makeup artist, an apothecary buyer for Kitson, a co-creator of the famed lesbian event company PYT and a blogger at tenderomi.com. This year, Klinger and Vanessa Salazar founded HIJA Por Vida, a jewelry and accessories line exclusively sold through Love and Pride. Now solo, Klinger is moving forward with Casa Por Vida, her own jewelry brand inspired by Mexican and Native American designs. Her Web site, casaporvida.com, launches this month. “The best part of owning my own business is that I’m my own boss and I get a chance to do what I love,” Klinger says. “We make all these items by hand on our living room floors. So far, we’ve lost a lot of sleep—but, we’re hustlers and hard-workers. The fact is, when you believe in your product, work is a pleasure.”

2011’s Red Hot Entrepreneurs

Jennifer Knight (right) spent a lot of time cruising modern design blogs like Apartment Therapy and Design*Sponge when she and her partner, Chiqui Cartagena (left), were renovating their beach house on Amelia Island, Fla. a few years ago. The former senior executive and CEO of two textile manufacturers had sold her second business in 2008 and outlined her next career move: it had to be fun, personal, and consistent with her belief in improving the world in which we live. Knight’s accumulated knowledge informs GetawayStyle.com, her new online design resource for vacation homeowners and “anyone who wants their space to feel like a retreat.” Knight’s company builds on the recent trend of American homeowners “right sizing” their living spaces in the wake of economic realities, and emphasizes global craftsmanship, environmental consciousness and design tips to help people make the most of their homes. “There’s literally never been a better time—in our economy, in our access to low cost technology, in the central role women play in business today—to go for [starting your own business],” she advises. “Be a part of reinventing our country in keeping with your vision and values.” Knight and Cartagena are based in NYC, where Cartagena works as VP of Corporate Marketing for Univision Communications, Inc.