Age: 33Title: PresidentCompany: Replacement Lens ExpressLocation: East HartfordHometown: West HartfordCollege: Hamilton CollegeBioSince founding Replacement Lens Express (RLE) in 2010, Stephanie Higgins Bealing has grown her award-winning prescription eyeglass lens replacement company extensively on the web, with last year’s sales exceeding $425,000 and delivering to customers in 55 countries. In her role, she has designed RLE’s […]
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Age: 33
Title: President
Company: Replacement Lens Express
Location: East Hartford
Hometown: West Hartford
College: Hamilton College
Bio
Since founding Replacement Lens Express (RLE) in 2010, Stephanie Higgins Bealing has grown her award-winning prescription eyeglass lens replacement company extensively on the web, with last year's sales exceeding $425,000 and delivering to customers in 55 countries. In her role, she has designed RLE's unique supply chain initiatives to allow the business to sell its name-brand products at significantly reduced prices, helping consumers save hundreds of dollars a year. She is an active participant in the local small business community, serving as an advisory board member for the Viscogliosi Entrepreneurship Center and guest lecturing around Connecticut.
Prior to founding her company, Bealing travelled to Antarctica to conduct a geochronological survey and held positions as a fuel cell engineer, where she presented her scientific results at international events. She worked as a strategic sourcing manager at several Fortune 500 companies. She holds two U.S. patents and is a regular judge at the Connecticut Invention Convention. Bealing promotes financial literacy as well as women in business and science at Miss Porter's School, where she serves as an executive member of the Alumnae Board.
Bealing lives with her husband and daughter.
Q&A
Who gave you your best career advice? My father taught me to be bold. “Never give up” and “Ask for forgiveness, not permission” were common sayings in our household.
I prepare for the unexpected in life by... Being agile and flexible. I am an opportunist and enjoy the thrill of unexpected challenges. I rarely say no to a new opportunity.
If you could climb Mount Everest, win a Nobel prize, or have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which would you pick? I have absolutely no interest in having a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. However, I am torn between winning a Nobel Prize and climbing Mount Everest. Although it would be amazing to be able to give back to society by accomplishing something worthy of the Nobel Prize, I would gain more personal satisfaction from climbing Mount Everest. Not because it is something that is difficult to accomplish, but because the journey would be breathtaking.
Life's Journey:
During my off time, I am most passionate about... Making my baby laugh
What is the most exciting destination you've ever traveled to? Tanzania
Where is the one place you want to travel in your lifetime? Machu Picchu
Favorite Connecticut destination: Groton Long Point
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