Heather Tierney - Leading with purpose, a conversation with our founder.
This Women’s History Month, we’re celebrating the trailblazing woman behind The Butcher’s Daughter: Heather Tierney—founder, creative visionary, and a pioneer in the world of plant-forward dining.
What began in 2012 as a mission to nourish New Yorkers with great food, drinks, and community has since grown into a thriving bicoastal brand, redefining the intersection of wellness, hospitality, and design. From leading a growing business to embracing creativity, motherhood, and the ever-evolving world of hospitality, Heather’s journey is one of passion, resilience, and innovation.
In this conversation, she shares how the past decade has shaped her, the mindset shifts that keep her grounded, and what’s next for The Butcher’s Daughter.
Heather at home
You founded The Butcher’s Daughter in 2012 with a vision to nourish New Yorkers with great food, drinks, and community. Today, that vision has grown into four bicoastal restaurants and many projects in between. As a woman leading and growing a brand in the hospitality industry, how has this journey shaped you, and what have you learned about yourself along the way?
It’s been a journey for sure. When I opened my first cocktail bar in 2008, there weren’t many women in the industry. I’m so glad to see that has changed along the way—now nearly half of restaurants and bars are and women-owned. I think the hospitality industry has shaped me in the fact that it has really taught me the value of hospitality. I think at this moment we find ourselves, with so many people isolated from working from home alone and most meetings happening virtual, community and coming together over food and drink is more important than ever.
Being a leader in the hospitality industry, a creative, a mother, and a friend to many while also making time for yourself is no small feat. How do you create balance amidst it all, and what practices or mindset shifts have helped you stay grounded over the years?
That’s the magic word—balance. I have to work at it on a daily basis. And it’s the secret to every relationship - whether at work, at home and even with yourself. I’ve discovered that it starts with being able to create boundaries. Once you create boundaries for the things that are important to you, everything else will fall into place around it. As a working mom, it’s often seems impossible to have enough time to be present with your family. I found that creating weekly time blocks in my calendar to spend time doing some fun activities with my son—just as I would a weekly meeting—was a great way to make sure that time and space was protected just for us.
You were one of the pioneers, probably the first in NYC, to create a place where health and well-being were met with a rebellious side—where people could come and just be themselves. How have you seen the restaurant culture evolve in valuing health and well-being, both for guests and for those working behind the scenes?
Yes, and I’m glad I could help push healthy food and beverage into the mainstream arena! Now it feels like every menu has to have a decent amount of plant-based offerings as well as gluten-free options. I think people want to invest in their health now more than ever. And what I’ve noticed is that it now includes mental health just as much as physical health. Stress takes such a toll on your body—that’s why I partnered with my good friends to open Den Mother next door to our Venice location. It’s a wellness boutique that features ancient wellness modalities for modern living.
