Happy Galentine's Day! This Galentine’s season we are spotlighting women who inspire us. These inspirational women are strong leaders, creatives, business owners, and beyond. We are so excited to share these women’s stories and happy to celebrate their accomplishments with you.
For this spotlight, we asked each of our Galentines two questions to share with you, our dear readers! Now, without further ado I'll let these powerful ladies take it away:
Shamona Stokes
Shamona Stokes is a New Jersey-born artist whose sculptures and mixed media paintings explore the imaginary figures & landscapes of the subconscious. Shamona has exhibited her work in renowned galleries throughout New York City, Miami, and New Jersey. Shamona’s gripping body of work is a product of a meditation and reiki practice which began in 2016.
Q: What is one project you are working on right now that you are positively passionate about?
I make signature ceramic fertility statues that are inspired by Venus-the goddess of love (perfect for Galentine's Day!) I was commissioned by a botanical company this past summer to make 300 mini bottles for their facial serum line. These will be out in the Spring and I can't wait to share them!
Q: What is your favorite local friend-date spot to meet for beverages + bites?
I live in Jersey City and my favorite spot to meet up for a fun girls hangout is Taqueria. They have the best tacos & sangria. I also love all the kitschy hair metal posters all over the restaurant and the constant stream of 80s music. It's always a good time in there.
Michelle Berckes
Michelle is a certified nutritionist and natural food chef. She is the owner and founder of Jersey City based Busy Bee Organics, a unique cafe and meal delivery company serving the Hudson County Area. Her cozy cafe serves organic, nutrient-dense meals and delicious beverages to the community. The creative dishes at Busy Bee are plant based, gluten-free and dairy free with the choice to add responsibly raised meat or cheese to any dish. When you walk through the door at Busy Bee you are immediately welcomed with warmth and delicious aromas, making it a must-visit location in the heights.
Q: What is one project you are working on right now that you are positively passionate about?
Right now I’m jazzed about working with my Galentine and new(ish) GM Jamie! She is bringing such fun energy to the bee hive and we’re currently doing a busy bee pop up series with local apartment buildings where we bring the shop to you!
Q: What is your favorite local friend-date spot to meet for beverages + bites?
My FAV local friend date spot is the Kitchen Step! Always a great fresh healthy item on menu and the drinks are always on point!
Shamika Lynch
Shamika is a Jersey City based Interior Designer and mother of two! She created her interior design business to brilliantly cater to smaller homes and has the superpower to optimize small spaces to maximize function while maintaining a cohesive aesthetic. Her projects are each thoughtfully designed to make the most out of spaces, leaving her clients (and us) in awe! She wants the world to know that you can live small and still have a big life and big style and big joy.
Q: What is one project you are working on right now that you are positively passionate about?
I’m working on a primary bedroom for a mom of 3 young boys. As a mom, myself, I know how valuable it is to have a space to recharge. I wholeheartedly believe that the environment you live in should be fulfilling, so it’s most inspiring to create a space like that for a fellow mom who needs it.
Q: What is your favorite local friend-date spot to meet for beverages + bites?
My favorite local spot for friend dates is Kitchen Step, I also love Frankie’s!
Alyssa Kuchta
Alyssa Kuchta is the founder and CEO of Brooklyn based fyb jewelry, and author of newly released book Follow Your Bliss. She founded fyb jewelry 10 years ago in pursuit of her own passion for design. She has thoughtfully designed pieces for daily wear, and to carry a deeper message. She has built her business with the mission to "inspire women and girls through meaningful designs and an empowering female community." She wrote book Follow Your Bliss as an extension of her brand mission with a "collection of authentic and heartfelt stories from groundbreaking women." We already have our copy, and it is a must-read!
Q: What is one project you are working on right now that you are positively passionate about?
We just launched our rebrand this month which has been a really fun and exciting project. From updating our logo and color palette, to our website, graphic templates, packaging, and wholesale displays - there’s been so many details and areas to think through and refresh. As the Founder and Creative Director, It’s been such an inspiring and invigorating process for me to go back to the drawing boards, work closely with our graphic designer, and re-imagine the brand in an elevated way, and infuse more of my personal style and identity into every touch point. We’ve been in business for 10 years so our rebrand is a reflection of both my personal growth and the company’s evolution from starting the company in college with my sorority sisters to now being a Brooklyn based business with retailers nationwide :)
Q: What is your favorite local friend-date spot to meet for beverages + bites?
One of my favorite local spots to meet with friends is Le Gamin. It’s a French restaurant with amazing food and wine, and the cutest backyard perfect for catching up with friends or hosting birthday dinners.
@seefielden
Corinna Fielden is a Brooklyn based decorative artist creating florals, wallpaper, home textiles, silk scarves and stationary. She is often found working on many projects at once, and fluidly moves between art forms. Her naturally dyed, handprinted silk scarves stop our customers in their tracks and her dried floral arrangements are a constant centerpiece staple in our shop. She has an unmatched eye for design, and we have been lucky to work so closely with her over the past two years!
Q: What is one project you are working on right now that you are positively passionate about?
I’ve been pressing a lot of flowers and working on some wallpaper designs! Really excited to complete these, and having fun incorporating my work as a floral designer into this medium.
Q: What is your favorite local friend-date spot to meet for beverages + bites?
If it’s for coffee or lunch, my go to is Bakeri in Greenpoint. The best pastries, bread, coffee, sandwiches and salads. Everyone that works there is so lovely and both their indoor and outdoor spaces are a great place for a friend date! If it’s evening, I’m loving Nura. The space has great energy and it’s perfect for cocktails and nibbles! Even if you are waiting for a table or bar seat, they have a big lounge area where you can start on drinks and their delicious spicy peanuts.
Erin Roberts
@erinroberts.design
Erin Roberts is the brilliant designer behind the bi-coastal design studio, Erin Roberts Design. She believes in creating thoughtful, approachable spaces for modern minimalist living. With global inspiration from Japan to Australia, their earthy aesthetic and modern ethos applies to everything from cozy homes to hotel experiences, unique custom furniture and slow living. Beyond her design business, she is a sculptor and painter, who has began her ceramic practice to connect back to nature and ground her creativity in studying subtle, minimalist beauty. We are honored to carry pieces from Erin Roberts in our Brooklyn shop.
Q: What is one project you are working on right now that you are positively passionate about?
I'm currently traveling in California working on a project in LA that has me feeling so inspired. I've always dreamed of having a bicoastal design studio and getting to travel to visit my projects and seeing the inspiring cities they are in! I absolutely love visiting the local showrooms and artists that I've admired in my inspiration boards and getting to see their work in person for the first time.
Q: What is your favorite local friend-date spot to meet for beverages + bites?
My favorite Brooklyn friend date spot is Aurora in Williamsburg! it has delicious Italian food, a beautiful outdoor garden patio, and is just a short walk to Domino Park where you can see the spectacular Manhattan skyline.
Kaseedee Pilarz
Kaseedee is the owner and founder of Brooklyn based pilates and fitness studio, Pilates BKLYN. She helps people reach their health and fitness goals using a holistic approach focusing on general well being opposed to the number on a scale. She uses her spacious Greenpoint studio to create opportunities to give back and build a safe space for our community. She strives to create a space for small businesses and local artists to create their brand identity and flourish especially during current events where this is a challenge for newer/smaller brands.
Q: What is one project you are working on right now that you are positively passionate about?
We are currently researching developing plans to grow our studio home through our digital platform, potential satellite locations around the city and more community collaboration works.
Q: What is your favorite local friend-date spot to meet for beverages + bites?
My favorite Brooklyn friend date spot is Aurora in Williamsburg! it has delicious Italian food, a beautiful outdoor garden patio, and is just a short walk to Domino Park where you can see the spectacular Manhattan skyline.
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A huge thank you to each creator and entrepreneur for taking the time to share with us, we are endlessly inspired by you. Only one question remains...Will you be our Galentine?
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