5 Minutes With Audrey McLoghlin, CEO & Founder of Frank & Eileen and Grayson
“Thoroughly convinced that we are going to change the world, one woman-led business at a time.” — Audrey McLoghlin
What do Ireland, Italy, Mexico, and Los Angeles all have in common? An innovative entrepreneur who has designed the perfect button-up for women, coveted by the likes of Meghan Markle, Oprah and Ellen DeGeneres.
In 2009, former engineer Audrey McLoghlin founded luxury clothing brand Frank & Eileen—a name that nods to her Irish familial roots. Today, the company is a cult favorite global brand for elevated basics.
While growing Frank & Eileen, McLoghlin began to conceive of a shirt made specifically for women that met her sky-high standards for fit and style, and could be sold at an accessible price point. Relentless in her research, she discovered an Italian family in Mexico that had cracked the code on vertical production for men’s shirting. In 2018, she partnered with them to do the same for women’s styles.
After a full year working with pattern makers and 30 different fit models of all ages, shapes and sizes, LA-based Grayson was born—a clothing brand named after McLoghlin’s fearless three-year-old daughter. The shirts are nothing short of perfection and suited to fit a variety of women.
We sat down with Audrey to learn more about what drives this fearless entrepreneur.
In one sentence, what does your company do?
We make one ridiculously perfect button-up shirt designed to make women feel like the superheroes they are, every day.
What’s your secret weapon?
Boundless grit.
When you need inspiration, where do you go/what do you do?
For ten years, I kept my head down and focused on building my business. But this year, as we head into a new decade, I made it my resolution to take the time to connect with other female founders at various stages of growing their business. It’s hard to describe how inspiring it is; I leave every coffee date or lunch meeting brimming with ideas and thoroughly convinced that we are going to change the world, one woman-led business at a time.
Something that you always have within arms reach:
My phone 🙈
What scares you the most?
Time. I want the years to stop going by so fast.
Currently reading/watching/listening to:
Becoming Superwoman by my friend Nicole Lapin. I have so many pages dog-eared and underlined. I can’t wait to talk to her about it.
Describe what you were like in high school in 6 words or less.
My nickname was “anti-social.” True story.
Most used app on your phone?
Apple Notes. I have 5,402 notes on my phone and can find anything I’ve ever jotted down since 2012 in five seconds.
If you had to break up with email or text, which would you dump and why?
I took the plunge and broke up with email this year. I stopped even trying to pretend I can keep up, and it’s so freeing. It also forces me and my team to communicate more effectively.
What’s the title of your autobiography?
“Tales of a Cockroach”
A long time ago my accountant said to me, “Audrey, nothing but nuclear devastation can kill you. You are a cockroach.” It’s still the best compliment I’ve ever received.
If you didn’t have to sleep, what would you do with the extra time?
That would be such a dream! I would be able to read so much more. Knowledge is power, and there is never enough time to read everything on my list.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to other women looking to start their own business in your space?
Listen to your gut. And fight hard to build what you want.
