Meet NYC passerby, Adette Contreras, a web and graphic designer who has become an entrepreneur, founding two companies. Her interest don’t just lie in business and creativity, but including her love for languages, throwing clay, and working on ceramics. There is much to learn about business, finance, and gratitude from this entrepreneur.
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Meet Jill Singer
in Editor, Entrepreneur
Jill is the co-founder of online design magazine Sight Unseen. A former editor of I.D. Magazine, Jill is also a freelance writer, curator, and design consultant, and her work has appeared in PIN-UP, New York, T Magazine, W, and more. She lives on the Lower East Side with her husband and their two children.
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Meet Sybil Domond
in Entrepreneur
Sybil is the founder of People of 2morrow, an online lifestyle and concept shop offering a carefully curated selection of goods from local artists, as well as artists she sources during her travels internationally. She is also a stylist, interior designer, and mom.
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Meet Lisa Mayock
in Entrepreneur
Lisa oversees design and product development at MONOGRAM, the graphic tee company she co-founded with her husband, Jeff. She has been recognized through numerous industry accolades for her design, and was previously the co-founder of Vena Cava. Lisa is a mother of two boys and lives in Clinton Hill.
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Meet Sabrina Diaz
in Entrepreneur
Sabrina Diaz grew up in Bergen County, New Jersey. She describes her high school as “your quintessential and stereotypical school,” closely resembling Mean Girls. There was even a rumor going around that the movie was based off her school. By her junior year, tired of of that scene, Sabrina took any opportunity she could to get out of her school and her hometown, often ending up in the city. She knew that New York was where she wanted to be for college, and started at LIM before moving to FIT, where she studied marketing and business.
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Meet Zahra Bennani
in Entrepreneur
Meet NYC passerby, Zahra bennani. After 11 years in Paris, she recently moved to Rabat to launch JNOUN - a creative studio and clothing line in collaboration with her sister Meriem Bennani.
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Meet Rachael Yaeger
in Entrepreneur, Producer
“Born outside of the Adirondacks, upstate NY, Rachael is the creator and editor of The Working Pair—an online editorial that showcases couples; their lives, love, work and the balance of it all. She went to Flagler College for Communication with a minor in Journalism and got her MA in Marketing from Regent’s College in London. She is also the founder of Human NYC, LLC. a front-end focused development shop for thoughtful design and has worked with clients such as Saturdays NYC, Coming Soon, Basic Rights, Tanya Taylor, Sandy Liang, Sight Unseen, Know-Wave radio.”
on her morning routine
I like to get up around 7:30 AM, Hugh and I snooze the alarm a couple of times. Shower, fight with my closet a bit. The walk through Chinatown and seeing all of the cheap, colorful fruits makes my day. Coffee from Happy Bones. They're family. Human NYC shares a studio space with RoAndCo. We do team morning stand-ups at 10 AM, and then get building websites and working on projects.
on her career path
I grew up with the lucky mentality that the sky's the limit. My parents always did the best that they could do to enable me to fulfill my goals, from playing sports to studying abroad, to going on scuba diving trips, to going to graduate school in London. I knew I wanted to work with people and talk; I also have a certificate in mediation. I graduated in 2009 with my MA and went home to upstate NY, I was substitute teaching and called my friends to see what they were up to, they graciously set me up in the city. I landed with a sublet on E. 7th and Ave. A, a bartending job and an interview at Gin Lane.
on creating her projects
I started The Working Pair as I couldn’t believe there were people in solid relationships in New York. I felt like there was a stigma that if you were in a relationship you were lame and not working hard enough on your own career path. I wanted to prove the opposite. You know when you meet two cool people and you’re inspired by them, and then you realize they're actually a couple and it blows your mind, that’s what I wanted to find. I started with Archie Coates (pluspool.org) and Emily Coates, from there the site has really been an extension of that friend group. I’m super grateful to work mainly with photographer Meredith Jenks, and started out by shooting with Ryan Patterson. The Working Pair is truly a labour of love.
““Modoc” is the best book ever written! “Plein Air” is designed well and visually beautiful. “Riposte” is the epitome of my zine obsession. I have to limit my trips to McNally Jackson and Bouwerie Iconic.”
on creating opportunities
I left Gin Lane in 2013. I felt a surge of entrepreneurial spirit and wanted to go for it. I started theworkingpair.com and opened a gallery on Meserole and Manhattan Avenues in Greenpoint with my dear friend Jill. We curated female focused shows and printed two zines, one with Akila Berjaoui solely of her work and the other entitled, “The Babe Show” highlighting creative women around us. In 2014 my now technical partner Michael, left Code & Theory where he had been after Gin Lane (where we met originally) and we started working together again on websites. The gallery allowed me to work in a more tangible way, but with both curating shows and building websites I get to work with people by providing a platform to showcase their work and grow their business. I realized at Gin Lane how meaningful it is to work with friends. Once you’ve been in the trenches together, you establish this trust that makes it so easy and fun to do work as a team.
on her favorite job
My favorite job was at an Ace Hardware store called Coakley's. I like working, I started working at a young age babysitting, I also like painting walls and garage doors. I did an internship with my Aunt's company in DC and learned a lot about production! I went into Gin Lane on a Friday and kind of jumped in on a Monday. I had a Blackberry and a PC, and Gin Lane's founder Emmett immediately took me to the Apple store. We built websites for clients so I quickly realized that designers and developers were my keys to success. I enjoyed working with our internal team and managing our external clients. I also got to shoot content and help to build @adidasWomen with social media and digital strategy.
TOP, SANDY LIANG ; PANTS, ZARA ; BAG, Loeffler Randall ; Shoes, Teva ; Sunglasses, crap eyewear
““Apartmento” is my favorite magazine on this planet. When I left Gin Lane, I wanted to move to Barcelona to work for them, their aesthetic is perfect. Cass Bird is one of my favorite photographers.”
on her beauty routine
We recently launched theklog.co so I got into Korean skincare. I really like sheet masks! I use Glossier tinted moisturizer for that dewy look end-goal. I like to stay hydrated and listen to my skin. It looks best when I have been outdoors, not showered for a couple of days. As for tips, never wax your eyebrows, wear sunscreen (hi mom, I'm 29 and now realize this), DRINK WATER, smile, try to get rest, a little oil on the ends of your hair. I think confidence is everything, which comes from within.
I also recommend Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer, Lucas Papaw Ointment, Glossier Priming Moisturizer, MISSHA Time Revolution Night Repair Science Activator, MISSHA Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence, and Glossier Balm Dotcom.
on her shopping habits
I like to rep the brands that we work with! And I want to work with people that have brands we believe in. I wear Negative Underwear, Datura, Sandy Liang + pieces picked up from travels like my long black skirt from Berlin or red Kimono from Toronto, high waisted mom jeans, t-shirts from friends like Laferrera.pizza and acid.camp. I also wear all of my dad's old jackets, a white cable knit soft Woolrich sweater from my mom, a Timex from my brother and my Grandad's Pendleton's. My style is cozy. In an ideal world I am wearing all Rachel Comey, Apiece Apart, Acne Studios, The Row.
“I like brainstorming, art, reading, interacting with people, conveying messaging, marketing for me was like building a fire for ideas. ”
TOP, SANDY LIANG ; PANTS, ZARA ; BAG, Loeffler Randall ; Shoes, Teva ; Sunglasses, crap eyewear
rachael's favorite books and magazines
Riposte Magazine, Apartamento Magazine, Plein Air Magazine, Modoc by Ralph Helfer, Cass Bird: Rewilding by Cass Bird
rachael's favorite places in nyc
Happy Bones for coffee
Mr Fong's for a bar
Rintintin for dinner
Madhufalla Organic Juice & Smoothie Bar
Meet Eva Goicochea
in Entrepreneur
“New Mexico-native raised in California. Éva has been in New York for three months (went to FIT many years ago.) She moved her with her husband to live in a walking city, get some seasons in, soak up the museums and culture and generally just go the opposite way of most folks. She is the founder of a design studio and a watch company, Tinker Watches. She has a band of animals. ”
On her morning routine
After putting my contacts in (I'm blind otherwise), I go to the kitchen and take out the Vitamix for a green smoothie, flip the switch, and then prep breakfast for all of our animals while they stare at me impatiently. Then I make a cup of tea, get ready (SPF is a must), and sit down to work. Ian (husband) is on dog walking duty so I wave goodbye as they make their way down the street.
on her background
I studied advertising and marketing at FIT and then organizational communications. At the time, there was no Squarespace, no social media, but I have always been into computers and found myself designing websites for friends. Now I run my own branding and web studio while working on Tinker and Maude.
on breaking in the industry
I joined the Everlane LA team early on as the social media manager. At the time, our office was in the loft of an art bookstore next to a strip club on Hollywood Blvd...cut to fast growth and a big new HQ 1.5 years later. Not wanting to make the move up to SF where everyone was relocating, I left. I started freelancing, missed being at a product company, and decided to build a watch line with three amazing people. Our first round arrives in a few weeks.
“Amongst an assortment of books from New Mexico—where I’m from—and books on engineering and design (Ian’s an engineer) is this old Shel Silverstein book from my childhood. I can pretty much reference his poems for every situation. Anyone remember Something Missing?”
On what she is working on
I'm also developing a modern condom company called Maude that speaks to all sexes. Sex is universal. Condom marketing isn't. We're in the middle of product development now, but we're hoping to launch later this year.
on shopping and style
I have a lot of basics and try to stick to a muted uniform since my work life requires a lot of creative decisions. Think Steve Jobs: simple, comfortable, sometimes boring. I buy at Everlane, Need Supply, and COS, and have been popping into Anthom and Frankie now that I'm in New York.
on her beauty routine
Daily, I use organic face wipes, anti-aging serum, then an SPF moisturizer. Every week, a face brush to exfoliate. As for makeup, I keep it simple: A swipe of mascara, maybe eyeliner so I don't look too tired, and a lip/cheek stain.
on her pets
I got our eldest dog in New York while in college. The others Ian and I got together through a series of foster failures over 8 years through volunteering with a rescue. We refer to our home as the Goicochea Home for Geriatric Animals.
on her furniture
We have a mix of vintage finds and pieces from the usual suspects: Room & Board, CB2, etc. I call our aesthetic Georgia O'Keefe-goes-to-Sweden: A nod to our Southwest heritage, but minimal and monochromatic.
Meet Ellen Van Dusen
Ellen is the designer of Dusen Dusen, a line of womenswear and home decor. Known for its original bold prints, Dusen Dusen is developed and inspired each season by fine art, commercial and naive design, and the brain’s reaction to movement, color, and contrast.
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Meet Steph Krasnoff
in Entrepreneur
Meet NYC passerby, Steph Krasnoff. In 2012 she opened American Two Shot with her childhood best friend, Olivia.
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Meet Aretha Sack
in Entrepreneur
Meet NYC passerby, Aretha Sack. Born and raised in Austin, Texas, Aretha studied painting at California College of the Arts, where she met her business partner Janine, after selling her a custom nail polish she had made. They founded Floss Gloss Ltd in San Francisco in 2011 over a mutual admiration of each other as well as of fashion, music, color and nails.
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Meet Erin Allweiss
“Erin has overseen media relations for some of the most recognized organizations, artists, brands and individuals. With a diverse background in art, sustainable design and public policy, her professional work is an extension of her personal interests. Erin grew up in New Orleans, went to school in Boston, and began her career in Washington working for the ONE Campaign, Oxfam, the Natural Resources Defense Council and on Capitol Hill. She moved to New York in 2010, and three years later launched her own PR firm, The No. 29, with partner Melody Serafino – focusing on art, design and sustainability.”
Top, Sessun ; Jeans, J.Brand ; Necklace, Growing Jewelry
on her morning routine
If I go to bed at a reasonable hour, then I’m up early for 6:30 AM yoga or running. If I have a late night, I save it for later by running home from work over the Brooklyn Bridge to avoid the F train. Regardless, I’m pretty much on my phone and email immediately – a habit I’m trying to break – and turning on WNYC. Often the first voices I hear in the morning are Steve Inskeep, Renee Montagne and David Greene. I was basically reared on Morning Edition. I make coffee or tea (sometimes both) and catch up on emails since we have clients in Holland, Paris, London and Tel Aviv.
on finding her interests
I knew from age five that I wanted to be an environmental lawyer, and just out of college had the privilege of working for some of the best nonprofits fighting for environmental justice – Oxfam and NRDC. I realized quickly that my disposition (constant motion) is not geared towards making incremental changes to policy and law, though thankfully others have the patience I lack. I realized I could still be an advocate, but in the court of public opinion. I love to write, tell stories for those who should be heard, and see immediate results.
“I just started college when Samantha Power’s “A Problem From Hell” came out. I’ve always been consumed by the dark moments in human history: how they happen, why people turn a blind eye and how we can change these patterns. We’re unfortunately revisiting this dark side now in Syria. That Power had written this book, received a JD, worked as a war correspondent and started the Carr Center for Human Rights by the time she was in her early 30s was inspiring. Reading her book, I simultaneously thought: I want to do something to make the world better…and I want to be as badass as Samantha Power.”
Shoes, Veja
on beginning her career
Back in DC, I learned how to do my job, made some of my dearest friends, and got to see Barack Obama sworn in as president. After a while, it got frustrating to fight for things that weren’t coming to fruition. I always planned to live in New York, and made the immediate leap from politics to art, though much of the art I work on makes a political statement. Working with JR, who had just won the TED Prize, was among my first major projects. It was the start of something really special in New York. Three years later, I started a PR firm with my brilliant partner. We simply wanted the power to choose who we worked for and how. People thought we were crazy to focus solely on sustainability, design, art and impact, but we’ve really carved out a niche.
on being in public relations
Being in PR has allowed me to work across disciplines – and often combine them in unexpected ways. We have wonderful clients who are making an impact, and help them tell their stories. I learn daily and feel incredibly fortunate to be an extension of their teams. There’s no greater feeling than conceptualizing and shaping a story, and ultimately making that story news.
Dress, Claudie Pierlot ; Shirt, Iris ; Shoes, Schutz ; Art, Frank Relle
“The Police, Synchronicity – since I was a kid. The Police and The Beatles were my favorite. My parents would play them and we’d have dance parties in costumes, as New Orleanians do. This music feels like home.”
Dress, L'Wren Scott ; Shoes, Loeffler Randall
on her beauty routine
My skin is finicky, so I have to change products with the weather. I use Diane Higgins Regenerating Facial Oil combined with her moisturizer. She carries a line called Face Reality, and I use their cleanser as well as Diane’s cleansing balm when my skin is dry. Tizo sunscreen is a daily must. As a runner, I need something that won’t irritate my skin and this rubs in like powder. I’m obsessed with eye cream. She has a great one but I’ll try anything. I also recommend REN Clean Skincare Vita Mineral Lip Balm, Bobbi Brown Eye Makeup Remover, Le Labo Women's Rose 31 Eau De Parfum, Yves Saint Laurent Terre Saharienne Bronzing Powder, Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Matte Lip Colour, Diorshow Mascara, Eminence Organic Skin Care Organic Sun Defense, Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Colour, Nars Blush, and Diorblush.
on her style and shopping habits
My favorite shopping spots are spread around the world. In New York it’s A. Cheng or Anthom. When I go home to New Orleans, UAL is my go-to for insanely discounted designer gems (like that incredible L’Wren Scott dress). In Paris, Centre Commercial is the best. Everything is either made in France and/or sustainable. The guys behind Veja opened it five years ago, and they’ve created something truly special.
Dress, L'Wren Scott
erin's favorite books
Paris Views by Gail Albert Halaban, A Problem from Hell: America and the Age of Genocide by Samantha Power, Special Orders: Poems by Edward Hirsch, Fierce Invalids Home from Hot Climates by Tom Robbins
erin's favorite records
The Belle Album PV by Al Green, My Kind of Jazz by Ray Charles, Synchronicity by The Police, Soul Train Super Tracks, Brothers by The Black Keys
erin's favorite places in nyc
Prime Meats for a glass of wine (and awesome food) at the bar
Frankies - for every meal
Black Gold Records is where I go for a strong coffee and album browsing. Its got a NOLA vibe, which makes me feel at home
Court Street Grocers for magical sandwiches
Buttermilk Channel for dinner and French Louie for brunch
I love the Invisible Dog art space on Bergen. Great exhibitions.
For a bar, Brooklyn Social for Matt's Ginger Old Fashioned
Overalls, Loup ; Trench, Catherine Malandrino ; Shoes, Prada ; Bag, Kooba
Meet Katie Garcia
in A&R, Entrepreneur
Meet NYC passerby, Katie Garcia , a co-founder & Manager of Bayonet Records/A&R for Secretly Label Group.
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Meet Janine Lee
in Entrepreneur
“Originally from Coronado, CA, Janine Lee is co-founder/CEO of Floss Gloss, an independent Brooklyn-based nail lacquer brand. She studied fashion design at California College of the Arts (2010) in San Francisco and co-founded Floss Gloss with Aretha Sack in 2011 out of pure necessity and bad (bad) recession job availability. After years in SF, she recently relocated from the Bay Area for Floss Gloss & life to Bushwick in 2014. At this time, currently thriving and always striving for success.”
Top, DKNY
on her morning routine
Normally I’m up around 8. I take Bodie out with Brett and grab an Americano at AP Cafe or Wyckoff Star. Then Brett and I both get ready for work and maybe make breakfast. I read some emails and do some light work, pack a lunch before I’m off at the Floss Gloss office.
on her path to floss gloss
I always was into coloring, arts & crafts and reading. I read a lot as a kid and worked at a library. I started really doing nail art and painting my nails in middle school and high school. I got Klutz Nail Art Book as a gift when I was a pre-teen and basically never looked back. Floss Gloss was born out of necessity. Aretha and I didn’t have a brand that we really felt was speaking to us and to who we were as consumers. We took about a year and wrote a full business prospectus, pitched investors, got money and found excellent manufacturing. We took a big leap and are still going!
on the production of floss gloss
Aretha mixes up a bottle of color we both love and we send it to our factory, they send back a matching sample, we approve or disapprove and either re sample or go into production. We have caps, bottles and brushes already at our factory and within 6-8 weeks with sampling we have a new baby! This process can be very challenging because everyone sees color a little differently.
““Art class was my favorite and I was in a fine art program at my high school in Connecticut that challenged me to get into art school. I love to paint, sew and create.””
on her inspiration
I paint on 10 tiny canvases these days. But my biggest art influences have always been Matisse, Guagain, Leroy Neiman - color! As for fashion I love fashion history, but in college and still to this day I’m inspired by eastern designers Isse Miyake, Rei Kowakabo and Junya Wantanabe with some American sportswear idols like Geoffrey Beene and Liz Claiborne.
on her beauty and skincare routine
My everyday routine is pretty basic! Lately I’ve been really into the Naked 3 pallet by Urban Decay and the Pro Paint Pots by Mac. Mascara and I’m out! But always moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! I always look at the ingredients in products. And of course sometimes I like to experiment with beauty, because I like art and painting and essentially it’s all the same vibe. I went through a very long glitter eyeliner phase in 2014. If I have a redder blemish on my face, I get a few drops of OpCon eyedrops onto a q-tip and apply it to the redness. It reduces redness of the eyes and basically does the same thing to the skin. Not sure how- but it does! I also run my eyelash curler under hot water before curling my lashes like a heat perm! I would also recommend: the MAC eyebrow pencil, Shea Moisture lotion, tea tree oil, coconut oil, Purlisse moisturizer, Batiste dry shampoo, and Davines nourishing conditioner.
on her favorite books
I’m obsessed with anything true crime right now. But specifically Ann Rule. I’ve read 3 of her books this year! She is an incredible story teller and nobody really has time for fiction. I need the truth! I also have a lot of art books. I Wonder is just stunning to look at. Mexican Art and anything ancient is super fascinating to me. If I wasn’t in the arts I’d probably be in sociology or anthropology. The Book of the Hand is about palm reading and your life thru your hands. Because its essentially my business I am really into anything related to hands and nails! I would also recommend : And Never Let Her Go by Ann Rule.
Top, DKNY ; Skirt, Express
Janine's favorite makeup products
Nail polishes from Floss Gloss
Top, Soffee ; Pants, Vintage ; Shoes, Modern Vice ; Bag, Echo Club House ; Sunglasses, Ray-Bans
janine’s favorite places in nyc
The AP Cafe/Wyckoff Star for espresso
Northeast Kingdom for dinner or brunch
The Keep for a cocktail and a free* Tarot card reading (*with tip-- totally worth it!)
Urban Jungle for vintage. They have great prices and huge selection if you like to dig and independent boutiques on Knickerbocker!
janine’s favorite floss gloss colors
Right now I’m really feeling these babies: The Pink Nugget, Smoke on the Nail, Dinge (always), Lavish and Honey!