On the evening of Feb. 2, light orchestral music greeted Zoom attendees to the first event of the Hill’s newest speaker series, “Hill Beyond: Insightful Conversations with Our Alumni.” 

Host Headmaster Zachary Lehman introduced the audience to Allie Griswold ’11 and Connor Murdock ’11, two Hill graduates who are working together on their company Mayne & Co: The Modern Mimosa. Griswold is Mayne & Co’s CEO and Murdock is the creative behind the company. 

Before starting their mimosa business, both Griswold and Murdock were quite involved on campus during their time at Hill. Griswold spent four years playing soccer and three years playing ice hockey while being co-editor of The Record. She also briefly organized a satirical underground newspaper called The Fishbowl. Murdock spent his time in the CFTA, participating in several plays and singing for the Hilltones. Being interested in production, he also started Hill TV, now defunct.

The night operated much like a casual television interview, diving deep into their time at Hill, their company, and the road to where they are now. 

Mayne & Co, their company that sells high-end mimosas in a can, started when Griswold decided she wanted to do something with her brothers while combining their interests in wine. 

Griswold and Murdock answered many questions throughout the evening, with topics ranging from leadership; to where to buy their mimosas; to advice for incoming third formers and even to whether the dorms are hectic in the morning or not. 

Towards the end, Lehman asked what aspects of Hill they’ve taken into the real world after graduation. Murdock appreciated that when he was a Hill student, “nothing was handed to him,” something that is a true testament to the realities of being an adult. 

Griswold said she loved her Humanities classes because they caused her to be more analytical and helped her critical thinking. As she did as a Hill student, she still plays hockey whenever she can. 

This episode of the Hill Beyond Speaker series provided a meaningful glimpse into the world of entrepreneurship through the lens of Hill graduates. Just the first of many episodes to come. Scheduled every Tuesday night at 7 p.m. until March 2, they are open to Hill students, staff, parents, faculty, and prospective students as well. 

You can find Mayne & Co’s website here. 

Reserve a spot in any upcoming Hill Beyond Speaker Series here.