31/05/2026
Is it merely my impression or does Bethany Frankel's behavior suggest a disconnect between her words and actions? I have noticed that small businesses are providing her with free products in hopes of receiving a mention, but often receive no response. This disparity is particularly striking given her emphasis on supporting women, women-owned businesses, and small enterprises. Her frequent promotion of products on her platform comes across as insincere, and it is puzzling that she would publicly criticize small businesses for not meeting her standards while simultaneously using their products.
Hillary Assael, co-owner of Florida bakery Sugar Hi, thought she'd hit the jackpot when Bethenny Frankel's assistant slid into her DMs asking for a custom cake for the reality star's 55th birthday. She said yes, donated a $4,000 Scarface-themed masterpiece, flew her best decorator from New York to Boca Raton to make it, and had a staffer drive four hours each way to deliver it to Frankel's Miami party. The deal? Just a tag on Instagram. Frankel posted everywhere - venue, photographer, glam squad, DJ, videographer, all credited. Sugar Hi? Crickets. Only after followers flooded the comments asking about the cake did a tag appear, days later. Zero business boost. Zero new followers. Zero thank you. Six months later, Assael went public after a now-viral story about another small business owner suffering the same fate at Frankel's hands gave her the courage to speak out. Plot twist: Frankel DM'd again two weeks ago asking for a cake for a billionaire friend's granddaughter. This time Assael asked her to come pick it up. Frankel ghosted - then blocked Assael, her business account, AND her daughter. Assael says she's not alone. Alexia Ioannou, daughter of RHONJ's Dina Manzo, also called out Frankel for wearing gifted shoes and linking followers to a competitor with an affiliate link instead. Frankel clapped back: 'My account, my body, my choice. You're welcome.'
