JEN RUBIO
Away Founder
One of the most prominent female CEOs in a business landscape that’s still a boys’ club, the Away founder is also a serial museum board member and one of contemporary art’s most prominent champions of Latinx makers.
WHAT’S SOMETHING PEOPLE GET WRONG ABOUT YOU? People often assume that I’m always in control or have everything figured out. There’s this misconception that success comes from having it together, when the reality is that I’ve had to embrace the messiness, the uncertainty, and the learning process along the way. I’m constantly questioning, evolving, and adapting, and I think that vulnerability is something people don’t always see.
NAME AN INFLUENCE OF YOURS THAT MIGHT SURPRISE PEOPLE. The work of architects—specifically, the way they think about space, structure, and how people interact with their environments. I’ve always been fascinated by how architecture shapes experience, whether it’s the flow of a room or the design of a building that tells a story. It’s deeply connected to how we think about the concept of “home.” Travel is often thought to make us feel out of place, away from the familiar, but I’m always interested in how we bring those feelings of comfort, warmth, and connection with us.
“"There’s so much noise—brands jumping on every aesthetic or cultural moment without considering if it aligns with their identity."”
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE MORE OF IN YOUR INDUSTRY? LESS OF? I want to see brands treating what they create as more than just a product—thinking like artists, not just businesses. The most compelling brands have a clear point of view, a strong narrative, and a sense of craftsmanship that makes what they do feel meaningful. It’s not just about selling something; it’s about evoking emotion and building culture. I’d love to see less trend-chasing. There’s so much noise—brands jumping on every aesthetic or cultural moment without considering if it aligns with their identity. The most iconic brands, like the most iconic artists, aren’t trying to do everything; they have a distinct voice, a unique perspective, and a commitment to making something that lasts.
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