Lifestyle

Artistic Legacy in the Spotlight – The Greenspans’ Journey of Keen to be Seen

Published

2 years ago

August 21, 2023

The world of childrenswear has witnessed a transformative wave with the emergence of Keen to Be Seen. The dynamic mother-daughter duo, Lesley and Ellyn Greenspan, are at the helm of this fashion-forward endeavor. Their collective passion, creativity, and resilience have shaped this innovative brand and ignited an artistic legacy in the fashion industry.

Lesley Greenspan’s roots in the fashion world run deep. Growing up in Westchester, she was the eager apprentice to her mother, Ellyn, a successful fashion designer who managed one of the largest dress companies of her time. Ellyn, a Moore College of Art alumna, is a seasoned entrepreneur with a worldwide presence through her businesses, Cowgirls Heehaw and Bubbles Larue.

Before she embraced her role as a business owner, Lesley’s career path was as diverse as it was enriching. From internships with the renowned Elie Tahari to ventures in the food industry, Lesley’s experiences were varied and expansive. Yet, her Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) background solidified her passion for fashion.

March 2020 marked a significant turning point in Lesley’s journey. As COVID-19 gripped the globe, Lesley and Ellyn’s compassionate and entrepreneurial spirits joined forces. With a surplus of fabric and a mother’s ingenuity, they began creating masks. Their unique designs, facilitating protection and communication, rapidly gained popularity, with celebrities joining their growing customer base. This led Lesley to set up a Shopify store, skyrocketing their outreach and laying the foundation for Keen to be Seen.

Keen to be Seen operates two factories in Queens and Brooklyn, employing a dedicated team of 22 workers each. The company specializes in childrenswear denim, with a flagship product that exemplifies its commitment to innovation – the Pocket It Jacket. This unique jacket, adorned with clear pockets, allows children to showcase their personality and accomplishments, promoting self-expression and engagement. The jacket’s design was tested and loved by children with learning disabilities, reinforcing its versatility and appeal.

Lesley envisions a promising future for Keen to Be Seen, with aspirations of becoming a household name. She actively showcases her innovative products in schools, country clubs, and trade shows and remains committed to supporting various foundations. Moreover, Lesley dreams of seeing her jackets being worn in hospitals. Inspired by her mother’s pocket-ed jacket designed for an insulin pump, she believes these jackets can provide comfort and creative outlets to children undergoing treatment.

The journey of Keen to Be Seen is an artistic legacy, blending inspiration, compassion, and creativity into a brand that celebrates children and their individuality. Follow their journey on Instagram @keen_tobeseen or explore their innovative range on their website. As the spotlight shines on the Greenspans’ journey, their artistic legacy continues to inspire and evolve, just like the children they design for.

Lifestyle

Why Derik Fay Is Becoming a Case Study in Long-Haul Entrepreneurship

Published

1 week ago

July 2, 2025

Michelle Langton

Entrepreneurship today is often framed in extremes — overnight exits or public flameouts. But a small cohort of operators is being studied for something far less viral: consistency. Among them, Derik Fay has quietly surfaced as a long-term figure whose name appears frequently across sectors, interviews, and editorial mentions — yet whose personal visibility remains relatively limited.

Fay’s career spans more than 20 years and includes work in private investment, business operations, and emerging entertainment ventures. Though many of his companies are not household names, the volume and duration of his activity have made him a subject of interest among business media outlets and founders who study entrepreneurial longevity over fame.

He was born in Westerly, Rhode Island, in 1978, and while much of his early career remains undocumented publicly, recent profiles including recurring features in Forbes — have chronicled his current portfolio and leadership methods. These accounts often emphasize his pattern of working behind the scenes, embedding within businesses rather than leading from a distance. His style is often described by peers as “operational first, media last.”

Fay has also become recognizable for his consistency in leadership approach: focus on internal systems, low public profile, and long-term strategy over short-term visibility. At 46 years old, his posture in business remains one of longevity rather than disruption a contrast to many of the more heavily publicized entrepreneurs of the post-2010 era.

While Fay has never publicly confirmed his net worth, independent analysis based on documented real estate holdings, corporate exits, and investment activity suggests a conservative floor of $100 million, with several credible indicators placing the figure at well over $250 million. The exact number may remain private but the scale is increasingly difficult to overlook.

He is also involved in creative sectors, including film and media, and maintains a presence on social platforms, though not at the scale or tone of many personal-brand-driven CEOs. He lives with his long-term partner, Shandra Phillips, and is the father of two daughters — both occasionally referenced in interviews, though rarely centered.

While not an outspoken figure, Fay’s work continues to gain media attention. The reason may lie in the contrast he presents: in a climate of rapid rises and equally rapid burnout, his profile reflects something less dramatic but increasingly valuable — steadiness.

There are no viral speeches. No Twitter threads drawing blueprints. Just a track record that’s building its own momentum over time.

Whether that style becomes the norm for the next wave of founders is unknown. But it does offer something more enduring than buzz: a model of entrepreneurship where attention isn’t the currency — results are.