Alexis Stewart was a natural choice to sit beside Martha as a colleague and confidant in the Conference Room.
Born in New York City and raised both in New York and Westport, Connecticut, Alexis began helping her mother in business at a young age. Her first job was assisting Martha in her catering business, a business that would be the basis for the rest of Martha's career. It was here that Alexis learned first hand the ways to employ creativity and turn a passion into a profitable business. She gained a tremendous amount of experience cooking, entertaining, working with a large group of employees and managing a home and a business at the same time. These lessons learned during these early years, combined with her proficiency at multitasking, have served her well throughout her career.
Alexis attended Greens Farms Academy in Westport, and graduated from the Putney School in Vermont. She then returned to New York City to attend Barnard College.
After graduating from Barnard, Alexis explored several entrepreneurial ventures. She designed, built and operated the upscale Bridgehampton Motel property in Bridgehampton, Long Island.
With a passion for exercise and yoga, Alexis had the foresight to recognize the Hamptons' growing need for fitness centers that were as high quality as the best in New York City. First she took over the only large facility in East Hampton, owning, building and running the East Hampton Gym before selling it in April 2000 to fitness trainer Bruce Cotter. She then partnered with Cotter, and together they purchased the Sag Harbor Gym in Sag Harbor, New York. Completely redesigned and rebuilt, the Sag Harbor Gym is a modern, attractive facility, incorporating professional instruction, the most modern equipment, a spin studio, pilates studio, and yoga and aerobic classes.
Both the East Hampton Gym and the Sag Harbor Gym provide the Hamptons communities with the style, quality, and service expected by its residents. Just as Martha has done time and again, Alexis discovered a market, a niche, understood the customers and catered to their needs with businesses that are of the highest caliber.
Three years ago Alexis partnered to create the Karma Yoga Studio in New York City. This was a large facility which offered many types of multi-level yoga and the studio has since been sold to Yoga Works.
While forging her own career path, Alexis has managed to remain very involved with the MSLO empire. She is continuing to work closely with her mother and the company while still participating in her own business endeavors and pursuits. Like Martha, Alexis is creative, strong, intelligent and extremely interested in business. Her drive and her passion for her work have resulted in profound success.
At present, in addition to her duties on "The Apprentice: Martha Stewart" and her consulting duties for the company, Alexis is developing a radio program for the Martha Stewart Living Sirius Radio Channel.
Smack, pow, biff!
However, I told my husband before Martha made her decision, that I didn't think Jim would go yet, because he makes for good television. He's the guy everyone loves to hate and she will keep him around for a while. I don't think he will go far, but I think we'll see him for a couple more weeks or so.
