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Mahwah Mom Takes Entrepreneurship To A New Level

MAHWAH, N.J. -- Ellen Gilmour of Mahwah is a true entrepreneur.

Ellen Gilmour of Mahwah is a successful entrepreneur.

Ellen Gilmour of Mahwah is a successful entrepreneur.

Photo Credit: Contributed

The wife and mother, a concert pianist from Russia, came to the United States at 19. She went to work on Wall Street and years later opened her own interior design firm, EG Designs, Inc., which serves clients in Bergen County and other states.

She talked to Daily Voice recently about having to come up with an additional source of income after having knee surgery and being laid up for many weeks.

"I am a multifaceted creature by nature," she said, telling how the successful design business had to be put on hold when she got injured playing with one of her dogs.

“I have three Dobermans. One of them ran into me and ripped my ACL. I had a meniscus repair and was out of commission. I couldn't drive. I could hardly move. My current projects were winding down at the time. I was scheduled to bid on other jobs. It made me realize how vulnerable my business was. I am a one-girl operation, so to speak. My husband and I have a two-income household. I said to myself, 'What if something happens and I really can't hustle day to day or leave my house?'"

The setback led Gilmour to come up with a new business opportunity. Her cousin introduced her to a new skincare line. The products made her skin glow, she said. "People would ask me, 'What are you using?'" Gilmour said.

Soon after, she decided to become an independent consultant for the network marketing company, Rodan and Fields.

"Me, with one leg, threw a party and launched my business. I haven't looked back ever since. I still do interior design, and can now pick and choose my projects. I lead my business with the help of other women and feel empowered," she explained.

Just like her interior design business, and work on Wall Street, the company has enabled her to achieve independence, while earning income. At the same time, she garners support from other women who sell the products.

"I've never seen so many women rooting for you to succeed in business before," said Gilmour.

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