In this episode of The Imaginals, host Ashley Wick sits down with Jennifer Hinton and Thayer Sylvester, lifelong friends and co-founders of Carve Designs. Their journey began, as so many do, with a conversation—this one on a surf trip to San Pancho, Mexico, about the frustration of ill-fitting women’s board shorts. That conversation sparked an idea, and what started as a simple need soon grew into something much bigger: a brand that would empower women, challenge expectations, and take on a life of its own.

At the heart of their story is partnership—not just in business, but in the deep trust and shared vision that allowed them to build something purposeful together. Jennifer and Thayer take us behind the scenes of what it really means to start something from nothing. Neither had a background in fashion, and there was no guarantee it would work. But they took the leap anyway—one bold decision at a time. They share what it’s like to grow alongside the business, how stepping away from societal expectations led to personal transformation, and why success isn’t just about the outcome.

We also explore the interplay between entrepreneurship and motherhood—how learning to navigate risk, relinquish control, and trust the process has shaped not just their business, but the way they raise their children.

If you’ve ever felt misaligned in your career, wondered whether to trust that inner nudge, or needed a reminder that success doesn’t have to mean going it alone, this conversation is for you.

Chapters:

01:46 The Journey of Carve Designs
02:03 Personal Transformations and Challenges
02:35 Redefining Success and Empowering Women
03:02 Sponsor Message: Plant Gem
03:57 Interview with Jennifer Hinton and Thayer Sylvester
04:49 The Struggles Before Carve Designs
06:13 The Decision to Start Carve Designs
12:38 Defining Success and Overcoming Challenges
23:52 Balancing Motherhood and Leadership
34:45 Closing Thoughts and Resources

Guest Links:

Carve Designs website: https://www.carvedesigns.com

Carve Designs Instagram: @carvedesigns https://www.instagram.com/carvedesigns

‘On Children’ by Kahil Gilbran from The Prophet: https://poets.org/poem/children-1

Calvin Coolidge on Persistence: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/2749-nothing-in-this-world-can-take-the-place-of-persistence

Ashley Links:

Finding The Current Within Retreat: https://peggymarkel.com/adventures/finding-the-current-within/

Ashley Wick Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleywick

The Ingenius Life Workshop: https://www.ingenius.life

Take The Leap Course: https://www.taketheleapwomen.com/

Sign up for Ashley’s newsletter for free coaching reflections, tools and news: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/643399411150f24bd562b5f5

Podcast artwork by George Bangs. Photography by Cary Jobe

This podcast is made possible thanks to our amazing partner Plantgem. Get 20% off your order when you use the code IMAGINE.