Sydney Schwartz Hardiman graduated from Grove City College with a B.A. in Communications and English. After 11 years of doing everything but her major, she reached a turning point in her life. Unable to find a decent duvet cover for her master bedroom, she decided to make her own. She bought some fabric, a book, borrowed her mother's 30 year-old sewing machine, and created the duvet that launched a business. Sydney has been designing and fabricating ever since.

Sydney believes networking is crucial to any business. She joined Pittsburgh-based Women's Business Network, Inc. (WBN) in 2000 and spearheaded the re-organization of the Points North Chapter. Along with serving as Chapter Representative and Chair, Sydney was elected to and served on the WBN Board of Directors for two terms from 2002-06. For 3 of the four years, she served as Vice President along with chairing numerous committees.
In January 2006, she began the Western PA Window Treatment Association. A group of Window treatment professionals meeting to share ideas and techniques. She has been running this group for the past three years.
She currently serves as the Managing Director of the Women's Small Business Association and represents Kilbuck Township as a member of the Avonworth Municipal Authority. The board oversees the running of a large local park, pool and community center.

Sydney has been nominated for, and won several awards. In 2006 she was excited to learn she was one of the winners of The 11th Annual PA Best 50 Women in Business. The award is given out by the Pennsylvania Governor, Governor Rendell, and PA Business Journals. An independent panel of judges selected the top 50 candidates, based on dedication to business growth, professional and personal accomplishments, community involvement, and advocacy for women in business. In 2009 she served as a judge for this award.
That same year she received the NAWBO Make the Connection Award for her work with the Women's Business Network. In 2003 and 2006 she was nominated for the WBN Woman of the Year Award.
In 2005, she was chosen from among 150 nominees to be one of Pittsburgh's "40 Under 40", who are making a positive impact on the development of the Pittsburgh region. The winners are chosen based on their passion, commitment, visibility, diversity of interests and overall positive impact on the region.