Meet Maddy Howey | Maddy Howey | Mom & Business Owner (or whatever you think is best!

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maddy Howey and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maddy, how does your business help the community?
It was something we’d thought about for a long time. We were both working in Commercial Real Estate when, during Covid, Kate had the idea to get a duvet made that we had made a prototype for over 10 years prior… We came up with the idea while nannying for the Harrell family. At the time they had 4 children and we were changing all of their duvets; sweating, cursing, jumping on beds to get them right side out – we had no idea why there hadn’t been any advancement. Our very first product the Signature Duvet System was born. It was a long process, and honestly, it got even longer when she had her first baby in the middle of it all. But she figured it out. When it was time, I left my job too so we could officially launch Pippen House and really put our heart into it. It felt like the right moment to take the plunge.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
At Pippen House, we create products that make life a little easier and a lot more beautiful. We’re all about designing everyday essentials that feel elevated but are still practical for real life. What sets us apart is our commitment to quality and the care we put into every detail. It’s not just about selling a product—it’s about creating something that brings comfort, joy, and a sense of calm to people’s lives.

What we’re most proud of is how far we’ve come, especially knowing the journey it took to get here. Our first product, a duvet, was born out of a long process that Kate started during Covid. It was a major learning curve, especially with her first baby in the mix. But she figured it out, and when it was time for me to leave my job and dive in full-time, we took the leap together. There were definitely hurdles—like supply chain challenges, learning the ins and outs of manufacturing, and figuring out how to balance family life with building a business—but we’ve worked through each challenge with determination, patience, and a shared vision.

The biggest lesson we’ve learned along the way is the importance of persistence and flexibility. Building something from the ground up isn’t easy, and it’s definitely not always smooth sailing. But we’ve learned to adapt, keep our heads down, and never lose sight of why we started. We’ve also learned that the people who support you—whether it’s your family, friends, or customers—are everything. Their belief in us keeps us going, and we don’t take that for granted.

What we want the world to know about Pippen House is that it’s more than just a brand—it’s a reflection of our values: hard work, creativity, and family. We’re building something that we hope will last for generations, and we want to make a difference in people’s lives by offering products that are beautiful, functional, and made with love.

It hasn’t always been easy, but every challenge has made us stronger and more determined. We’re just getting started, and we can’t wait to see where this journey takes us.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
itinerary is hard because no two days are the same… Day 1: Welcome to Charlotte – Shop and Dine
Morning:

Breakfast at Laurel Market – Grab the best breakfast sammies in town with a cup of coffee. It’s a grab-and-go kind of spot, perfect to start your day while crossing the street to visit Isabella for some amazing home décor.

Shopping: Start with a visit to Capitol & Poole Shop—this place is fantastic for high-end designers. Poole, located upstairs, has a mix of fashion-forward pieces, while Capitol downstairs offers some serious luxury. Then, walk over to Phillips Place for streamlined options like La Vie, Jenni Kayne, Alice & Olivia, and more.

Afternoon:

Lunch at Rosemont for a casual yet delicious meal (perfect for people watching).

Kids’ Shopping: Stop by Coco Leto—a cool (and pricey) boutique for stylish kids’ fashion, or Shower Me With Love for adorable baby items. If you need more gift shopping for the little ones, Fancy Pants is a great stop too.

Afterward, check out Ellet for a unique mix of women’s clothing and gift items.

Evening:

Drinks/Apps: Head to Flight in SouthEnd for a trendy atmosphere and a nice selection of cocktails. It’s the perfect spot to start your evening.

Dinner: Crunkleton is a great dinner choice (avoid the tomahawk steak but everything else is phenomenal). For something more casual, try Supperland in SouthEnd – fun vibe, great drinks, but their food is heavy Southern comfort.

Day 2: Exploring Charlotte with the Family
Morning:

Breakfast at La Belle Helene in Uptown and after, head to the Bechtler Museum for some modern art (good for everyone—kids included).

Shopping for Gifts: Stop by Swoozies for Southern-inspired gifts, or Paper Twist for something unique and creative.

Afternoon:

For lunch, grab a bite at Reid’s Fine Foods (think of it as a local version of Dean & DeLuca). You can pick up gourmet snacks, sandwiches, and a fine meal in the heart of the city.

Kid-Friendly Fun: Check out Soco Gallery to browse art from up-and-coming artists, or pop into Paper Skyscraper for cool, quirky gifts and local finds.

Shopping for Kids: Head to Fancy Pants for adorable outfits or visit Buttercup for sweet children’s items.

Evening:

Dinner: Barcelona Wine Bar in SouthEnd offers great wine and tapas, always lively with a fun crowd.

If you’re looking for a more relaxed vibe, Zeppelin in SouthEnd has an eclectic menu and cozy atmosphere.

Day 3: A Day of Art, Home Decor, and Great Eats
Morning:

Start your day with breakfast at Rosemont or grab something quick at Laurel Market if you’re on the go.

Home Décor Shopping: Start with a stop at Acquisitions or Slate for beautiful home items. If you’re on the hunt for something special, check out Circa (though it’s sadly closing, it’s still worth a peek for unique pieces).

Afternoon:

Lunch: Grab lunch at Common Market in SouthEnd for an amazing smorgasbord of local food, sandwiches, and breakfast options. It’s casual, fun, and very Charlotte.

After lunch, check out Coley Home for home décor finds, then make your way over to Cotswold Marketplace for more shopping and unique local goods.

Evening:

Dinner: Head to Lost Rica in SouthPark for chef-driven dishes that will leave you craving more.

If you’re looking for a place to grab drinks, Dilworth Tasting Room has great wine and cocktails in a stylish, relaxed space.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
We would love to dedicate our shoutout to our incredible support system. First and foremost, our parents. They’ve always been our biggest cheerleaders and have shown us the value of hard work, resilience, and taking risks. Our dad, especially, has been a huge influence, always pushing us to think big and believe in ourselves—he’s the one who encouraged us to watch Shark Tank and always believed we had what it takes to build something special.

Then, there’s our amazing husbands. They’ve been there every step of the way, offering unwavering support, helping us balance work and family, and believing in the vision we had for Pippen House even when it was just a dream. We couldn’t do this without them.

And of course, Kate—my sister and business partner. She’s the heart and soul of this whole operation. Her relentless drive, creativity, and ability to turn challenges into opportunities have shaped Pippen House into what it is today. We are so lucky to be in this together.

It’s truly been a team effort, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the love, encouragement, and inspiration we’ve received along the way.

Website: https://www.pippenhouse.com

Instagram: @pippenhouse

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX7KkfObnxTMO3Sn4Ve72NQ

Image Credits
Chase Hall Photography – dallas photographer