How Jill Zarin Created An Empire With This Pandemic Business
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images By Shana Aborn/Jan. 17, 2021 3:36 pm EST
The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way everyone does business — and in some cases, it actually created new business opportunities. Jill Zarin is living proof of that: Although she was ousted early from her Real Housewives of New York stint, she’s found a new passion that combines her fashion savvy with a public health need.
When the virus entered the U.S, and became a national crisis within weeks, health experts began recommending that the public begin wearing face masks outdoors to help slow the spread of the highly infectious disease. To help meet the surging demand for masks, home crafters began making them for themselves and friends. Among them: Zarin’s daughter Allyson Shapiro, who’d just learned how to tie-dye material and experimented with the technique on some plain white cloth masks (via BravoTV). As their website explains, her Instagram followers adored the style and asked if they could buy ones of their own. Seeing an opportunity in the making, Shapiro and Zarin founded Jill & Ally, which has skyrocketed to success in just a few short months. In addition to their signature masks and mask necklaces, the company also offers mask cases, hand sanitizer, and scented candles (one fragrance is called “Real Housewife in Training”), with sweatshirts and hoodies soon to come.
How Jill Zarin Created An Empire With This Pandemic Business
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
By Shana Aborn/Jan. 17, 2021 3:36 pm EST
The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way everyone does business — and in some cases, it actually created new business opportunities. Jill Zarin is living proof of that: Although she was ousted early from her Real Housewives of New York stint, she’s found a new passion that combines her fashion savvy with a public health need.
When the virus entered the U.S, and became a national crisis within weeks, health experts began recommending that the public begin wearing face masks outdoors to help slow the spread of the highly infectious disease. To help meet the surging demand for masks, home crafters began making them for themselves and friends. Among them: Zarin’s daughter Allyson Shapiro, who’d just learned how to tie-dye material and experimented with the technique on some plain white cloth masks (via BravoTV). As their website explains, her Instagram followers adored the style and asked if they could buy ones of their own. Seeing an opportunity in the making, Shapiro and Zarin founded Jill & Ally, which has skyrocketed to success in just a few short months. In addition to their signature masks and mask necklaces, the company also offers mask cases, hand sanitizer, and scented candles (one fragrance is called “Real Housewife in Training”), with sweatshirts and hoodies soon to come.
When the virus entered the U.S, and became a national crisis within weeks, health experts began recommending that the public begin wearing face masks outdoors to help slow the spread of the highly infectious disease. To help meet the surging demand for masks, home crafters began making them for themselves and friends. Among them: Zarin’s daughter Allyson Shapiro, who’d just learned how to tie-dye material and experimented with the technique on some plain white cloth masks (via BravoTV).
As their website explains, her Instagram followers adored the style and asked if they could buy ones of their own. Seeing an opportunity in the making, Shapiro and Zarin founded Jill & Ally, which has skyrocketed to success in just a few short months. In addition to their signature masks and mask necklaces, the company also offers mask cases, hand sanitizer, and scented candles (one fragrance is called “Real Housewife in Training”), with sweatshirts and hoodies soon to come.
Jill Zarin’s company has a give-back philosophy
The appeal of owning a Housewife-designed mask is one secret to their success, but the comfort and quality may be what keeps buyers coming back. A staffer for the Today show raves that the cotton masks are “so buttery-soft and lightweight that you’d hardly know it’s there.”
Zarin told the reporter, “Fit was the most important. And we were able to find an incredible source overseas that was able to supply us with what happens to be the most comfortable mask in the market.” As a fashion expert and former president of the Gold Toe sock brand, she should know.
