[citation needed] Her interest in entertainment prompted Chaiken to move to New York City following graduation; she worked in the original programming department at the USA Network before deciding to pursue an MBA.

In 1998, she bought out Capone; by 1999, the line was being carried in more than 400 boutiques and high-end retailers,[9] including Barneys New York, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Nordstrom.

Chaiken, while primarily focused on growing the company, subsequently expanded her role as CEO to include clothing and accessory design.

[12] Chaiken and Capone's signature pants, with elastic in the waistband, and an "emphatic lack of ugly front pouches," were successful and orders at high-end department mandated wide production.

LinkedIn's Reid Hoffman, also a co-organizer, describes the event as a "Franklin-inspired gathering of ambitious friends, to brainstorm ways to change the world.