The surprisingly consistent characteristic with many successful entrepreneurs is the simple fact that they are not motivated by money. Financial compensation normally does arrive in some form with a successful business, but the driving force can only be described as a way of life.
And in the case of Gryphon Corpus, founder of the Easton-based The Verdant Gryphon, and her business partner Jamie Campbell, that way of life goes well beyond the manufacturing of some of the most sought after yarns in North America.
One clue that may suggest a more holistic approach to entrepreneurship is the extraordinary background of both women. Austrian-born Gryphon majored in philosophy and later spent the first four years of her professional life as a molecular biologist. Jamie, on the other end of the spectrum, studied classical ballet and worked in professional dance organizations.
Known for yarns of exquisite colors and the best material, the company grew to twenty-four employees as a result of their hard-earned popularity. But that was the wrong direction they wanted to go.
Over the last few years, both Gryphon and Jamie have used their significantly different skill sets to scale back their business to make it more personally sustainable. In their interview with the Spy, they describe their approach to work and how they define entrepreneurial success.
Kathy Bosin says
Bravo! Love seeing entrepreneurs choosing personal sustainability over growth. Good for them!