FEATURED CHIK: Jill Moccio Connors

​What began as a small idea with just 12 women-owned businesses has grown into a thriving community movement. Jill, founder of Babes, Brews & Browsing, has built high-energy, charity-driven events that now welcome more than 600 guests and unite a powerhouse network of 60+ incredible women. For Jill, supporting local - especially women-owned businesses -isn’t just important, it’s vital, and leading this community has been one of the greatest honors of her life.

Tell us a bit about your company! What do you do? What is your mission?

Babes Brews & Browsing is a group of Local Women Owned Businesses that come together to take over different venues for a day of upscale shopping, live music, great food, and beverages! Back in March 2024, I organized my first ever Charity event for Shriners Children’s New England at the Starting Gate at GreatHorse, in Hampden. I had 48 women owned businesses and live music. It was such a hit that I did it again on Nov 30, 2024… then Nov 29, 2025… and our next scheduled one is Nov 28, 2026. We keep growing in attendance , I now work with sponsors from local businesses, I brought in not only music but we also have complimentary spa and salon services, and a 360 photo booth. Back in July 2025 I hosted Sunsets & Socials for Shriners Children’s New England - more of a smaller scale as the big November events have about 600+ guests, this one was 175 guests. We enjoyed passed hors d’oeuvres, a dinner station, live music and 8 women owned businesses from Babes Brews & Browsing! In March I am hosting a 90s Boom! An upscale nightclub type event at The Starting Gate at GreatHorse! I just keep growing in momentum and these events are so well received in the community. In the last JUST two years , we have raised just under $80,000 for SCNE in my son, Jackson’s Honor. My reason and my why is him, and with the support of the community and the incredible women I get to surround myself with, skies the limit on the impact we do and continue to do within the area for our children who need the best care only Shriners Children’s can provide no matter the financial situation these family’s are in.

How did you get started with your business? 

Babes Brews & Browsing was an idea I had as I am super small business in the area and have been involved in hundreds of events as a vendor. I wanted to build something different. A family. I preach community over competition. This group started with just 12 women owned businesses and now I have over 60 that I can call friends and get the pleasure of working with. People have really enjoyed this journey as they see the difference within our group. You’re getting relationship when you shop and support us.

What do you feel is most important for other to know about your business? 

I want people to know that I lead with my heart always. I work hard to bring people together for good. I am a woman who wants my neighbor to do better than me. I believe there’s room for everyone at the table of success. I believe that supporting local businesses, especially women owned businesses is vital to the community and it’s an honor to be someone who brings events to the local area and most importantly it’s a privilege to bring beautiful charity events that are so much fun and so incredibly important.​

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How would you describe your leadership style? 

My style is simple. Be a friend, support, show up, refer, recommend, speak highly of others, respectfully. I believe we are a team, I just happened to be the one who began it, but we are all a vital part of the group. I recognize and I know that we wouldn’t be as successful as a group in these charity events and other events if it wasn’t for each one of these women.

When you were growing up, what was your ultimate dream job? If it's this, how does it feel to have met your dream? If it was something different, how did your dream change over time? 

I never really knew who or what I wanted to be. I always found myself in different customer service type jobs, as I love working with people. For me - being with the public lights me up. I love bringing a smile and a laugh to someone, I love making people feel special because they are, I enjoy making people feel seen. I became a stay at home mom and I loved every moment of it, when my son turned 4..5yrs old I slowly started going back out in the world with my new business Hustle & Heart, and I knew that this was my path. I was my own boss, I could still be the best mom for my son, always home for him, but I could also get back out there with the public and bring those laughs and relationships back. And in the last 5yrs it has taken off into something I never knew I needed or could do.

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Every business owner faces challenges. How are you empowered to overcome yours? 

To be honest, I really haven’t had any challenges. I have an extremely supportive husband, I don’t have a storefront so I am allowed to dictate where I am with my business and items, I can be choosy in that aspect, as far as Babes Brews & Browsing, the only obstacle is that vendor events are everywhere, the scene is saturated. So I make sure that my events are next level, different, events you want to be at. Especially the charity ones. It’s important to continue to wow my guests. And I do believe I do just that each and every time.

Tell us (in one word) how you would describe your boss-chik business!

Unstoppable.

Anything else we should know about you, your business, or just a fun fact?!

I definitely am a person who lives out loud and I am really proud of my growth and the growth of both my businesses!

Where You Can Find Her:
Facebook | Email  ​