HAYVN HerStory Series
Chronicles of Women Who Innovate
Showcasing Inspiring Journeys of Local Female Entrepreneurs
Chronicles of Women Who Innovate
Showcasing Inspiring Journeys of Local Female Entrepreneurs
Hear ‘HerStory’ at HAYVN!
Sponsored by:
Celebrate bold ideas, big wins, and inspiring journeys. Connect, learn, and leave fired up to innovate.
Don’t miss this empowering experience!
What To Expect
- Meet & Greet – You’ll have the opportunity to meet with our featured guest during an intimate VIP reception before the main event.
- Engaging Conversations – Hear firsthand accounts from successful female entrepreneurs followed by an audience Q&A.
- Authentic Stories – Dive deep into their personal narratives and discover what drives them.
- Guidance & Empowerment – Gain invaluable insights and advice to fuel your own journey!
Speaker: Ashley Krauss
Founder & Owner, A Little Something White Bridal Couture
Speaker: Megan Palmer
CEO, Palmer’s Market & Palmer’s Catering
October 8, 2026 | Location: HAYVN Darien
Ashley Krauss, A Little Something White & Megan Palmer Rivera, Palmer’s Market & Palmer’s Catering
VIP Reception: 5:30pm & Main Event: 6:00-7:30PM
Join us for for an evening with two women who built something extraordinary right in our own backyard. HAYVN HerStory brings together Ashley Krauss, founder of Darien’s beloved bridal boutique A Little Something White, and Megan Palmer Rivera, CEO of Palmer’s Market, a 105-year-old fifth-generation Darien institution, for an intimate conversation about entrepreneurship, legacy, and leading with both guts and heart.
ABOUT ASHLEY KRAUSS
Ashley Krauss is the founder and owner of A Little Something White, an award-winning bridal boutique based in Darien, CT that she opened in 2012 after leaving a successful career in finance to pursue her entrepreneurial dream. Within days of opening the boutique, Ashley knew she had found her calling: helping brides find the gown that brings their wedding vision to life while providing unwavering support throughout the journey. Ashley has built her reputation on a client-first philosophy that combines expert bridal styling with genuine compassion. Whether she is helping a bride discover her perfect dress, solving unexpected challenges, or carefully curating collections from top designers, Ashley approaches every aspect of her business with dedication, creativity, and heart. More
ABOUT MEGAN PALMER RIVERA
Megan Palmer Rivera is the Chief Executive Officer of Palmer’s Market and Palmer’s Catering, a 105-year-old, fifth-generation family business based in Darien, Connecticut. With three generations actively involved in the company today, Megan brings a unique perspective on what it takes to lead a legacy business while preparing it for the future. A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America with degrees in Culinary Arts and Baking and Pastry Arts, she joined Palmer’s with a professional food background and went on to expand the company by launching Palmer’s Bakery, Palmer’s Gourmet to Go, and Palmer’s Catering & Events, the company’s high-end off-site catering division. Megan became Managing Director in 2018 and was named CEO in 2023. More
Moderator: Kristen Rzasa, Holistic Business Strategist
Sponsors: Owl’s Brew, Darien New Canaan Lifestyle Magazine
LINKS TO EXPLORE: A Little Something White, Palmer’s Market & Palmer’s Catering
Admission
The VIP Meet & Greet begins at 5:30pm, followed by the Main Event at 6pm.
- VIP Reception & Main Event: 5:30-7:30pm
- General Admission: $100; Early Bird Tickets: $90
- HAYVN Members w/ Discount Code*: $75; Early Bird Tickets: $65
- Main Event: 6:00-7:30pm
- General Admission: $35; Early Bird Tickets: $30
- HAYVN Members w/ Discount Code*: $20; Early Bird Tickets: $18
NOTE: Early bird ticket sales end two weeks before event. *Discount Code in Members’ Portal
Mark Your Calendars!
- Oct. 8, 2026 – Megan Palmer Rivera & Ashley Krauss
- Nov. 4, 2026 – Lindsay Czarniak
Meet our HerStory Moderators
Moderator: Nancy Sheed
Sheed Communications
Moderator: Kristen Rzasa
Holistic Business Strategist
Learn About Our Past HAYVN HerStory & HAYVN Live Speakers
Julie Mountain & Dana Noorily
Founders, The Granola Bar
Sheri West
Social Entrepreneur,
Founder/CEO of LiveGirl
Fran Hauser
Bestselling Author & Keynote Speaker
Website, LinkedIn,
IG: @fran_hauser
Georgia Hunter
Author of NYT Best Seller,
We Were the Lucky Ones & Producer of Hulu Series
Website
Speaker: Betsy Lerner
Author, Shred Sisters
Speaker: Shannon Watts
Founder: Moms Demand Action,
Author: Fired Up
Speaker: Liz Lange
CEO & Creative Director: Figue,
Founder: Liz Lange Maternity
Speaker: Ophira Edut
The Astro Twins,
Astrologer and Intuitive Advisor
Speaker: Melissa Bernstein
Cofounder of Melissa & Doug, Lifelines, Author: The Heart of Entrepreneurship
HAYVN LIVE
Speaker: James Frey
Bestselling Author, Instagram, Simon & Schuster Official Page