On the latest episode of Confessions of a Female Founder, Meghan Sussex reunites with Cassandra Morales Thurswell, founder of Kitsch, for a candid conversation about business, motherhood, and resilience. Their story began long before Suits or Sephora—back when Meghan was hustling for auditions and Cassandra was styling closets in a rented Los Angeles bungalow.
Sixteen years ago, Meghan was an actress auditioning for roles. Cassandra, then just starting out, answered a call from her cousin Heather to help organize Meghan’s wardrobe. Meghan still remembers the shoes Cassandra found for her. They weren’t just stylish. They became her lucky pair for the audition that would change her life. That kind of memory sticks. And that kind of connection matters.
From Handmade Hair Ties to National Retailers
When Cassandra started Kitsch, she had no investors, no outside funding, and only $30,000 in savings. It was her eighth attempt at launching a business. This time, she trusted her gut. She made hair ties by hand, designed her own packaging, and shipped orders out of her apartment. She didn’t have a roadmap, but she had clarity. She wanted to create products people loved—and more importantly, reordered.
She landed her first major order from Nordstrom Kids. Was Kitsch a kids’ brand? No. But the order was profitable, and bootstrapping requires saying yes to what keeps the lights on. Her next big break came when she cold-emailed a buyer at Ulta. Instead of renting a pricey trade show booth, Cassandra offered to meet at a local restaurant. The buyer said yes. That single shelf placement grew into full displays in stores across the country.
Kitsch became a brand that reimagined everyday beauty staples—from silk pillowcases to spa headbands. Cassandra calls it “haircare as a lifestyle,” offering everything your hair touches, from morning to night. The products feel thoughtful because they are. Meghan praised this attention to detail, drawing a parallel to her own early days making fruit preserves and sending lemon baskets to friends. The products were different, but the purpose was the same.
Related | Meghan Sussex and Heather Hasson Say Great Founders Still Get Their Hands Dirty
Motherhood Changed the Way She Led
Success didn’t stop the struggle. Cassandra opened up about the challenges of becoming a mother while her business was scaling fast. After giving birth to her daughter Tula, she faced postpartum anxiety and felt torn between being present at home and staying visible at work. It took her years—and a lot of inner work to find her footing again.
She eventually learned to set boundaries. Before motherhood, she struggled to give honest feedback to employees or enforce structure. She admits she didn’t want to be disliked. That changed. Now, she leads with what she calls “sensible optimism,” a phrase that perfectly captures her belief in persistence without delusion. She encourages young entrepreneurs to stay focused on the outcome they want, even when the path gets dark.
That approach shaped how she raised her daughter. When Tula wanted money for something fun, Cassandra didn’t just hand it over. She asked her to create a business plan. Tula came up with the idea of selling candy kebabs and later sold lemons from their tree to raise funds for California wildfire relief. Meghan was visibly moved by this story and joked that she also has a lemon tree. Maybe there’s something symbolic in that.
Related | Meghan Sussex and Sara Blakely Challenge Old Narratives in Final Episode
Final Thoughts
This episode of Confessions of a Female Founder is about the roots that nourish success, the resilience required to grow without shortcuts, and the relationships that make the journey meaningful. Meghan Sussex and Cassandra Thurswell didn’t just share memories—they offered a masterclass in patience, purpose, and partnership. For anyone building something from scratch, their conversation is a reminder that slow can be strong and that blooming begins underground.
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