Meet Connie DeMaio! A local mompreneur, Connie lives in Colts Neck with her husband and 5-year old daughter. Read more in our latest Meet-a-Mom interview below as Connie discusses how she’s turned her equestrian brand Redingote into a household name, why she believes Colts Neck is the perfect place to live for her family, her INCREDIBLE mom goals, and why having her daughter in tow while running her businesses is a non-negotiable.
Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in town?
A little bit of all over! Born here, then moved to PA as a teenager, graduated high school and moved with my sister to Long Island NY. I met my husband at 26 and when we got married we moved back to Colt Neck NJ.
Child(ren) and Age(s)?
One amazing daughter named Rose, she is wild and 5 years old.
One thing people would be surprised to know about you…
I have been riding horses for 36 years and am a second-generation horseman – Rose calls us farmers
Anyone special you’d like to thank for helping you through parenthood?
My mother!! I couldn’t do it with out her. She has helps us raise Rose since birth and now Rose says her Grandma is her best friend. My husband and I both own businesses and we wouldn’t be where we are in life without the help from my Mom. Rose and my mom travel with me to trade shows all over the country and it’s wonderful to have them both by my side!
And of course, my husband for always supporting me in every aspect of life. My famous line is “Sooooo, I have this idea” and he’s like ok let’s do it – we are very set it get it types and it has helped us grow our businesses into what they are today.
Favorite things to do with your kids?
Ride horses! This is our lifestyle, not just a hobby. It is generational and has been passed down and will continue to be passed down.
Are you involved in a business venture, a local organization, a creative endeavor, or in the corporate world? Please share!
I own two clothing lines! An outerwear company called Redingote. Redingote is known for reinventing the coverall. We created it 5 years ago from nothing and it is now a household name within the equestrian community! We see tons women wearing it from skiing to hiking to snowball fights with the kids to sledding! It’s so fun to sell our outerwear to MOMS! We also just launched a kids and men’s line making Redingote generational.
FITS RIDING is our other riding apparel company that riders from all over the world wear. It is known for its “stable to street” look. We dress riders but you will see women from all walks of life wearing our tops and breaches.
I am also involved in the Colts Neck Business Association! It’s has a huge community feel that I love.
How has this community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?
Being involved in the equestrian community has been a huge an influence on my life and business. It’s a lifestyle, we live, sleep and a breath horses and being in Colts Neck, in Monmouth County, keeps me in the realm of the horse world. NJ is horse country; Monmouth County is known horse events and Colts Neck is known for being a horse community. Where I live is instrumental in my life as well as my business.
What is your favorite restaurant in Monmouth County?
Ah there are so many!! My go to is Huddy’s Inn, its close, good and I can show up in my riding clothes.
What is your favorite activity to do with your daughter in Monmouth County?
Ride our horses to in Bucks Mill Park with Rose! We also love to watch the Blessing of the Hounds with Monmouth County Hunt every year, such a cool event!
What are your Mom Goals?
My mom motto is – “I don’t want my daughter to follow in my footsteps. I want her to walk the path beside me and go even further than I have ever dreamed.”
Rose is with me every step of the way, from zoom calls to fittings, horse shows to trade shows, speaking events to networking events. She goes where I go. I think sometimes we feel like we have to hide our kids or worry about having kids in the work space – that is unacceptable to me – she goes where I go.