Hi everyone I'm Hillary Kerr, the co-founder and chief content officer of who

what wear and this is Second Life, a podcast spotlighting women who have truly

inspiring careers. We're talking about their work journeys, what they've learned from the process

of setting aside their doubts or fears and

what happens when they embark on their second life.

Today I'm chatting with the founder of Anastasio Home, Gabriella Anastasio.

Growing up on Long Island with a father in the landscaping business,

Gabriella always felt an affinity toward stone. To her, a neighbor's new granite countertop or

updated stone patio was an indication of good fortune. Years later, in 2021, Gabriella launched her luxury home accessories brand, Anastasio Home, with one category, Stone Trays.

The brand quickly gained popularity for its stunning and expanding offerings of upcycled

limited-run home accessories produced by the company's own factory in India which Gabriella opened during COVID. Today, Anastasio home products

are sold via retailers like Mota Operandi, Lulu and Georgia, and I swoon, and this year the brand is making a foray into new categories, including

metals and lighting. Although Gabriella has a love of stone that started at a very young age, her journey to building her business was anything

but straightforward. After graduating with a degree in art, she worked in public relations for over

a decade.

Before leaving the corporate world to start something of her own,

she had worked her way up to Director of Communications

at the Rolex-owned Watch Brand Tudor, which sprouted a new passion for precise manufacturing.

This, plus her knowledge of packaging and promotion from her years spent in PR,

the taste level she developed as an art major, and her childhood love of stone positioned

her to take the leap and build her dream company.

Gabriella's winding, yet full circle career is fascinating.

...