Restaurateur. Equestrian. Philadelphia Business Journal “40 under 40” award winner. Everybody’s favorite girl next door. Sydney Grims is a fearless femme who truly embodies our mantra to #REIGNinyourREALM.
As Director of Business Development for Fearless Restaurants, Sydney Grims is well-known in the Philadelphia region. Her upbeat personality shines in every magazine profile and Instagram post. In person, her warm, easy-going nature makes you feel like you’ve known her forever.
Given that Sydney and I are generations apart, who would guess we’d become fast friends? But age is just a number. I believe it’s personality, passion and values that brings people together. Values like hard work, support of your community and love for family and friends—all of which Sydney embraces with joy and passion.
At work, Sydney regularly dons a hard hat and braves construction chaos to build out gorgeous dining destinations for her family's restaurant group. After work, she swaps to a riding hat as she and her horse Oscar gallop fearlessly through the woods of the Brandywine. To local charities she’s an enthusiastic supporter. To her friends she’s a rock star who will always spark a spontaneous good time… and be ready with a hug for those not-so-great times, too.
At work, at play and in all she does for others, Sydney truly embodies our mantra to #REIGNinyourREALM.
Get inspired: meet our newest RWR—Real Woman of REALM, Sydney Grims.
Ann King Lagos
Founder/Designer
REALM Fine + Fashion Jewelry
BANNER PHOTO: Sydney wears jewelry from REALM's TRYST Collection, along with our new Quest earring, from the CORONET Collection, all in Two Tone 18K Gold Vermeil +Sterling Silver. SHOP HER FULL LOOK HERE.
ABOVE: Ann King Lagos & Sydney Grims wear REALM Fine + Fashion Jewelry.
Q + A WITH SYDNEY GRIMS
What do you do for work?
As Director of Business Development for my family’s business, Fearless Restaurants, my role is to create the systems and business procedures that make the business expand and run more smoothly. Additionally, I serve as a generalist for all departments, helping where needed. I’m also the project manager for all our new restaurant builds. It is a crazy job, with so many different challenges but that’s what I love most. I get to dip my toes into everything!
ABOVE: Fearless Restaurant's Rosalie in Wayne, PA offers regional Italian soul food in a stunning setting.
for play?
Travel, try new restaurants and ride my horse, Oscar.
for others?
I'm proud to raise money for Alpha Bravo Canine, the non-profit that our White Dog Café restaurant supports. We've raised over $250,000 for service dogs.
Fearless Restaurants is known for neighborhood favorites that have become destination dining. What’s the magic that makes each restaurant so special?
Every day we wake up and ask ourselves, “How are we going to stay relevant?” We don’t believe our own BS. We work hard, stay humble and try to treat each guest like someone coming to dinner at our home.
Fearless Restaurants is a family company. What have you learned from working with your dad, Marty Grims?
Lead through positivity. Positivity begets positivity and it’s essential to always look for the silver lining. Creating a work environment that has a strong, positive culture is essential.
Please share your 3 expert tips for entertaining at home.
1. Start setting your house up a week in advance, then do a little bit each day so it doesn’t feel like such a haul the day of the event.
2. Save money on flower arrangements by using foliage from your own backyard. Hydrangeas and magnolias look gorgeous down the center of a table. Pinecones can be fun place cards!
3. Hire a helper, it’s worth the money. As a young professional in hospitality, I used to feel it was a waste of money to hire people to tidy up during and after the party. Problem with that was I never enjoyed my own parties because I was stressed about the amount of cleanup I had to do.
Coming in 2025: Fearless Restaurant's newest project, Triple Crown in the Radnor Hotel (the heart of horse country on the Main Line).
You have a passion for horses. Tell us about that world and why you love it.
I love the lifestyle of being outside and bonding with animals. The equestrian world is one where women are tough: they are mucking stalls, getting dirty and not afraid of hard work. I adore the classic style of the clothing—green waxed jackets, turtlenecks, rust colored britches. Being an equestrian is a lifestyle because it takes an insane amount of your time, attention and wallet. Many people think it’s very glamorous, but the reality is it’s similar to restaurants: it looks sexy but behind the scenes is a lot of dedication and hard work.
Our TRYST Collection is equestrian, hardware-inspired jewelry symbolizing Rendezvous + Connection + Adventure. What does that mean to you?
I love TRYST! It reminds me of my horsey life without being in your face. The symbolism really relates to my life adventuring with my horse, Oscar. Oscar has forced me to step out of my comfort zone to meet new people and go on adventures with them! For instance, I've made friends through a local rider Facebook group, and we've traveled to local parks and paperchases, galloping through the woods of Chester County and the Brandywine. TRYST reminds me of these special times where I'm adventuring, connecting with my horse and making new friends.
Why do you love REALM Fine + Fashion Jewelry?
I love that REALM is an affordable luxury. The jewelry is high quality without breaking the bank. It’s well made to feel luxurious and not like a piece of costume jewelry, yet it is still FUN! There is meaning behind each piece. The meanings are subtle and not in your face.
I also love REALM because of its founder, Ann King Lagos. After meeting her several times, I sat next to her at a wedding and got to know the real her. She is a class act, talented, smart and has real life stuff like the rest of us. She isn’t afraid to work hard, put herself and her art out there. She is similar to me—a tomboy in some pursuits but with a girly flare, and her jewelry reflects that. That’s another reason why I love REALM. The jewelry is hardy. I can wear it from work in the restaurants to the barn without worrying about damaging it.
One of Sydney's favorite TRYST styles: the Rendezvous Cuff 45mm in Black Ruthenium Vermeil. 
an attitude, mood or style
that’s Classic, Romantic or Rock Star.
How would you describe your personal style?
"I actually embrace all three in different areas of my life. In the workplace, Classic: someone who is professional, reliable and steadfast. As a partner, Romantic: always thinking of ways to enrich our lives through travel, food, art and beauty. As a friend, Rock Star: someone who is fun and can be counted on for a spontaneous good time."
— SYDNEY GRIMS
Is there another REALM collection that particularly resonates with you?
Aside from the TRYST line I connect with CORONET. Ann gave me the CORONET engraved “Reign Thoughtfully” bracelet when I received an award this year. It is the perfect reminder when I look down at it daily that I’m human and have flaws. When I see that bracelet, I think of the manager I want to be: consistent, kind, thoughtful, and positive—not an uptight, stressed-out, short-fused mess.
What does it mean to #BeYourBestSelf?
#BeYourBestSelf is something I have struggled with moving from my 20s into my 30s. I have often prioritized work, friendships and other people ahead of myself. I’ve had to learn through burnout and fatigue that I need to prioritize myself to be my best self. This concept has been hard for me as I grew up in hospitality always trying to make others happy. By nature, I'm a people pleaser, so focusing on myself and improving how I treat myself has been its own adventure the past three years.
Sydney says her Reign Thoughtfully Cuff helps her focus on the kind of manager she strives to be.
Tell us about Fearless Femmes.
Fearless Femmes was created to highlight women in the Greater Philadelphia area who have a story to tell. These could be women in business, women who have had to display resilience, etc. Fearless Femmes hosts networking, educational and shopping events with a charitable cause. It is meant to connect women and bring awareness to their causes or businesses.
What advice do you have for women in business… and in life?
You can’t do it all and do it to 100% perfection.
We were taught by the Boomer generation that “you can do it all.” I watched as my mom and aunt worked large jobs in NYC, took the train to work, worked 70 hours a week, drove us to school, did our hair, cooked dinner, drove us to sports, and did all of the chores around the house. NO! You don’t need to “do it all.” To me, “doing it all” is a thing of the past.
Moreover, you don’t need to do everything to 100% perfection. Maybe a B+ is good enough! Take time for yourself. Even if it’s ten minutes making your bed in the morning, recognize that you are doing that small task to honor yourself, your space and your inner peace. Success in your day can be small things. Choose to look at these small things as accomplishments: I took the time to do my makeup today, good job! I took the time to make my bed, nice work! I took the time to shave my legs today, bada-bing! Enjoy the small successes.
Sydney, you have been interviewed many times. Is there a side of you that hasn’t been revealed, but you’d like to share with our REALM community?
I am really, really close with my family. Without them I wouldn’t be where I am today.
My dad and mom are my heroes. They provided this incredible opportunity for me to grow our family business. They came from nothing and created a beautiful life for my siblings and me.
On weekends you can find me hanging with my family. We can’t get enough of each other.
Anything else you would like to add…
I am so grateful to be asked to be a Real Woman of REALM.
ABOVE: Another favorite of Sydney's: the Tuileries Gate Stack Ring, a REALM best seller from the TRYST Collection. Offered in18K Gold Vermeil, Two Tone Gold + Silver, Sterling Silver and 18K Rose Gold Vermeil.
