Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alyse Scaffidi, Alexis Scaffidi. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alyse Scaffidi, Alexis Scaffidi, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love for you to start by sharing your thoughts about the pros and cons of family businesses.

FAMILY BUSINESS

Family businesses are truly special — there’s something deeply rewarding about building something meaningful with the people you love and trust. For us, it’s the best thing ever, though it doesn’t come without challenges. One of the best parts is that we’re always on the same page, whether it’s how we treat customers, approach new opportunities, or handle challenges. Plus, working with family means there’s built-in trust. We know we have each other’s backs no matter what!

That said, the tricky part about family businesses is that they can blur the lines between work and personal life. It’s easy to bring work home, which can create tension if boundaries aren’t carefully maintained. Disagreements can also feel more personal, so it’s important to communicate effectively and keep things professional.

Our parents instilled a strong work ethic in us, and now it’s fulfilling to bring them into the businesses we’ve built. From the Coastal Chateau to BiteSized Designs to DreamWalk, they’ve found ways to express their creativity and passion in projects we can call our own. For us, a family business isn’t just about profits — it’s about spending time together to create something that makes the world a better, happier place.

As for whether we’d want potential future children to join the businesses — it depends. We’d love for them to be part of it if it’s something they’re passionate about, but only if it feels like an opportunity, not an obligation. What’s most important to us is that everyone find joy and purpose in whatever they do.

Alyse Scaffidi, Alexis Scaffidi, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Our journey began in 2014 with a “BiteSized” Instagram account —a fun, creative outlet that, at the time, even our friends and family joked about. What started as a small project to inspire people to live healthier lives through BiteSizedFitness has since grown into something much bigger. Over the past decade, it has evolved into a multifaceted brand is a testament to the true power of social media and the value of staying authentic in everything you do.

Through BiteSizedFitness, we’ve been honored to help thousands of people achieve their health goals in a realistic and sustainable way. But we’ve always believed that true happiness goes beyond physical health. That belief inspired us to create new ventures that celebrate inclusivity and give everyone a chance to be heard. One of our proudest accomplishments, the DreamWalk Fashion Show, became a global movement that reached over 50 million people. At a time when inclusivity in fashion was still rare, we created a platform to challenge beauty standards and celebrate diversity in all its forms, helping to reshape the industry.

Today, our mission has expanded further with the Coastal Chateau, a boutique hotel that offers guests a thoughtfully curated seaside escape. Whether it’s a relaxing weekend getaway or an intimate micro-wedding, we’ve created a space for people to connect with loved ones and make meaningful memories.

Across all of our ventures—whether through social media, community events, or hospitality—our goal has always been to positively impact lives. We’re proud to create platforms and spaces that inspire connection, celebrate individuality, and leave people feeling just a little brighter than when they arrived. That’s what drives everything we do.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

In 2019, we partnered with Live Nation to host a sold-out DreamWalk Fashion Show at the Gramercy Theatre in NYC. It was an incredible milestone, and we had plans to scale the show across multiple cities in the U.S. the following year. But then COVID-19 hit, shutting down live events for two years. What was supposed to be an exciting period of growth turned into an uncertain and discouraging time.

It also happened to be Alyse’s 30th birthday in April of 2020. Determined to celebrate in some way, we created a balloon garland for a small family gathering and shared pictures on social media. To our surprise, people started reaching out, asking us to create similar designs for their own celebrations. From what could have been a really tough year, a new venture “BiteSized Designs” was born. It allowed us to channel our creativity into planning micro and outdoor events, helping people find ways to celebrate safely during an otherwise isolating time.

The biggest lesson we took from this experience is that challenges often come with unexpected opportunities. When plans fall apart, it’s a chance to think creatively and pivot in ways you might not have considered. Sometimes the detour becomes the destination, and that’s exactly what happened with BiteSized Designs. It’s a reminder to stay open to new possibilities, even in the most uncertain times.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Building our audience on social media has been an incredible journey, but it’s also been a constant evolution. When we started, the landscape was completely different—you could post a single iPhone selfie with a short caption and get thousands of likes. Then the game changed. Editorial-style photos with stunning backdrops became the standard, and later, videos and educational tutorials took over.

And then TikTok came along and shook everything up again. Now, if you’re not posting reels or creating content that’s both catchy and aligned with your brand, you risk becoming irrelevant. Social media is no longer something you can succeed at and then coast—it’s a full-time job that demands constant learning, adapting, and creativity.

For anyone just starting, the key is consistency and finding your unique niche—something that speaks to your authentic self. Social media thrives on authenticity, and while the platforms and trends will always evolve, staying true to yourself and your message will always resonate.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.coastalchateauocnj.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/bitesizedfitness, www.instagram.com/bitesizedsis
• Facebook: www.instagram.com/dreamwalkfashionshow
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bitesizedsisters

Image Credits

Dreamwalk Photos: @fisher_visuals
Coastal Hotel Photos: @marioolivetophotography