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July 17, 2015 40 Under Forty 2015

Stephanie Higgins Bealing

Stephanie Higgins Bealing

Age: 33

Title: President

Company: Replacement Lens Express

Location: East Hartford

Hometown: West Hartford

College: Hamilton College

Bio

Since founding Replacement Lens Express (RLE) in 2010, Stephanie Higgins Bealing has grown her award-winning prescription eyeglass lens replacement company extensively on the web, with last year's sales exceeding $425,000 and delivering to customers in 55 countries. In her role, she has designed RLE's unique supply chain initiatives to allow the business to sell its name-brand products at significantly reduced prices, helping consumers save hundreds of dollars a year. She is an active participant in the local small business community, serving as an advisory board member for the Viscogliosi Entrepreneurship Center and guest lecturing around Connecticut.

Prior to founding her company, Bealing travelled to Antarctica to conduct a geochronological survey and held positions as a fuel cell engineer, where she presented her scientific results at international events. She worked as a strategic sourcing manager at several Fortune 500 companies. She holds two U.S. patents and is a regular judge at the Connecticut Invention Convention. Bealing promotes financial literacy as well as women in business and science at Miss Porter's School, where she serves as an executive member of the Alumnae Board.

Bealing lives with her husband and daughter.

Q&A

Who gave you your best career advice? My father taught me to be bold. “Never give up” and “Ask for forgiveness, not permission” were common sayings in our household.

I prepare for the unexpected in life by... Being agile and flexible. I am an opportunist and enjoy the thrill of unexpected challenges. I rarely say no to a new opportunity.

If you could climb Mount Everest, win a Nobel prize, or have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which would you pick? I have absolutely no interest in having a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. However, I am torn between winning a Nobel Prize and climbing Mount Everest. Although it would be amazing to be able to give back to society by accomplishing something worthy of the Nobel Prize, I would gain more personal satisfaction from climbing Mount Everest. Not because it is something that is difficult to accomplish, but because the journey would be breathtaking.

Life's Journey:

During my off time, I am most passionate about... Making my baby laugh

What is the most exciting destination you've ever traveled to? Tanzania

Where is the one place you want to travel in your lifetime? Machu Picchu

Favorite Connecticut destination: Groton Long Point

Read the profiles of the other 40 Under Forty for 2015 Winners

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Anthony Byers, Hartford Youth Scholars

Michael Byrne, UBS Global Asset Management

Megan Carannante, Pullman & Comley

Rebekah Castagno, The Village for Families & Children

Aidan Charles, Charles Coaching & Nutrition Services

Dan Clark, Clark Insurance

Endia DeCordova, Manchester Community College

Jocelyn DeMaio, The Hartford Financial Services Group

Stephanie Dumont, Comcast

David Elder, ConnDOT

Stephen Frenkel, Cigna

Ryan T. Gardner, Fiduciary Investment Advisors

Jacquelynn Garofano, United Technologies Research Center

Tara Gerber, Travelers Championship

Daniel Gottfried, Hinckley Allen

Jaclynn Hart, Hartford Performs

Jennyfer Holmes, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving

Elizabeth Johnson, Post University

Jonathan Kaplan, Pullman & Comley

Alex Koenigsberg, Creative Living Community of CT

Melissa Lambright, SIGHT Eye Health

Lori-Ann Marchese, Body Construct

Michelle McDade, The Hospital of Central Connecticut

Kristina Miner, Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection & Insurance

Karraine Moody, Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity

Quentin Phipps, Charter Schools for Excellence

Kathryn Redican, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Todd R. Regan, Robinson+Cole

Natasha Roggi, Hartford Sweat

Jacquelyn Santiago, COMPASS Youth Collaborative

Kathryn Shafer, Partnership for Strong Communities

Anthony Shannon, Shipman & Goodwin

Steven C. Taylor, Webster Bank

Joseph Turbessi, Finished: What's Next?

Rebecca Wareing, Management Search

Robert Zanlungo, Primary Residential Mortgage

Mark S. Zatyrka, American Homecare Federation

Julianne Avallone, Ford & Paulekas

Check out the Digital Edition of the 40 Under Forty for 2015

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