Noyette’s Founder Riley Bennett loves pasta
Name
Riley Bennett
Descriptor
Founder of Noyette
Astrological sign
Virgo - very much self identify with this
Are you a morning person or a night owl?
Not really either. I can get up early, but I wouldn’t say I am my best and I get crabby at night. Mid-afternoon is really me at my peak.
Tea or coffee drinker?
Tea drinker all the way. I can do coffee and I like the smell and taste, but gravitate towards tea because it’s easier on my stomach. Currently loving matcha lattes and obsessing over buying one of those matcha whisks...
We’re food lovers - name a dish you love. We love a recipe share too!
I love food, I could talk about a meal at a restaurant probably longer than most people are interested in hearing about it. When I travel it usually includes a list of restaurants I want to go to over destinations. If there is pasta - sign me up. I have a collection folder on instagram for pictures of pasta. This may or may not be reflected in Noyette instagram stories at times...
What is the best advice you have ever received? What’s the worst?
One of my bosses once told me to “not to use that voice” and she was referring to a higher pitch tone I went into to make myself sound cheerful and upbeat. It was a bad habit and subconscious, but I knew exactly what she meant. It’s easy to play into the “likable female” archetype, but I rather have my colleagues respect. It’s something I still catch myself doing sometimes, but her words have really stuck with me and were very empowering.
Worst advice….probably the exact opposite. Someone telling me to be more cheery and likable. Anytime someone implies in some way you should make yourself small to make others feel big - I don’t think that is great advice.
Our first collection was named after streets we’ve lived on and loved. What’s a street or city you’ve loved and why?
Two of the Noyette collection pieces were named after streets in New York City. I lived there for 8 years and loved it. Even though I am not from there I feel like I grew up there in a sense because it really shaped me as an adult. Plus as I mentioned, I love food and there are so many good restaurants in New York! Too many to count. Go there and eat. Walk around and then eat again.
What are you listening to lately?
Big fan of podcasts and currently obsessed with Second Life and The Stacks. Second Life pod is focused around female entrepreneurs starting new careers for themselves. It really fueled me as inspiration to start Noyette because every time I thought I couldn’t do it I would listen to other female entrepreneurs' stories and it would inspire me. The Stacks is a book review podcast, but it’s so much more than that. I can’t do it justice describing it. I think if you are interested in critical thinking, humanity and a witty host you’ll enjoy it.
Whose style inspires you?
This question is hard for me! I’m an avid watcher of celebrity style. To name just a few: Zoe Kravitz, Kirsten Dunst, Laura Harrier, Lucy Boynton, Tracee Ellis Ross, Sarah Paulson….That was a lot and I could go on, but I think I just love when women are ture individuals with their styling.
What are you watching or seen lately that you loved?
British television! Bodyguard and Broadchurch in particular. Also loved the recent Little Women movie. I self identify with Jo, but I might actually be an Amy...
What’s inspiring you lately?
The creativity we’re seeing in the world and breaking out of the box of how things have been done. Loved Gucci & Burberry showing their collections on their designers and we see some amazing work from creators on instagram. People build sets for at home photoshoots and it’s just incredible to see the collaboration and amazing ideas people have. It’s not about everything being perfect - people are focusing more on creativity and it’s cool to see.
Who should we be following?
I do find Instagram to be an amazing community of creatives and some we love following are @laurencaruso_, @naomi_hrd, @nycxclothes, @tylauren, @nicolettemason, @thedailyseyi, @girlwithcurves, @chrissyford, @kristinazias, @dlolo, @theyusufs, @spicy.mayo, & @wilkecreates. There are so many!
What’s an upcoming project you are excited about?
Noyette is really the project for me right now. I’m excited to see how it grows and to connect with more people.
Where can we find you?
Any last words you’d like to share?
If you have an idea - explore it. Nothing happens overnight, but keep working at it. You never know what you’ll learn or how you’ll grow from it.