Giveaway: Set of 12 Greeting Cards from Proper Pen

Happy Friday, gals! Seems like a great day for a giveaway, doesn't it?

Today we are pleased to announce we will be giving away a set of 12 handmade greeting cards from Proper Pen. Incase you missed it we featured Proper Pen owners, Lisa and Bridget, on this Wednesday's Who's That Gal. Together they are an unbeatable team of besties producing some amazing work. 

To enter, leave a comment below and follow us on twitter as we will announce the contest winner next friday at noon. Good luck!

Psst, even if you aren't the lucky we winner, we've got something for you. Enter the code JUGS20 when checking out of the Proper Pen shop to receive 20% off your total order.

- Suzanne

Who's That Gal: Proper Pen

Have you ever dreamed of owning your own company with your best friend? We had the chance to talk to two lovely stationary enthusiasts, Bridget and Lisa of Proper Pen, who are doing just that. Read on to learn how they made the jump from recent college graduates to business owners...

Name: Bridget Sweeney
Age: 25
Hometown: Oceanside, NY
Current 'Hood: New Haven, CT
Educational Background: BA in English, Binghamton University - December 2010

Name: Lisa Cannizzaro
Age: 25
Hometown: Oceanside, NY
Current 'Hood: Nashua, NH
Educational Background: BS in Mechanical Engineering, Cornell University - May 2011

First, we love your stationery! Can you tell us a little about your art and design background?
We first met in a high school cartooning class, and as the only two girls we formed an immediate bond. Over the next several years we continued to take art classes and develop our work; even attending Pratt Portfolio Day in the hopes of applying to a great Fine Art school. While our paths led us to different states for college and in different directions, (Lisa majoring in Mechanical Engineering and I in English), our love of art and our friendship has never faltered. Our styles are inherently different. Lisa creates bright and colorful illustrations, while I tend to use darker contours in my hand lettering; but we lend our personalities to the eclectic mix of our products, and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Second, we very much admire you both starting your own business at such a young age. What inspired you both to do so this summer? 

Initially, we had some luck selling our individual handmade goods on Etsy, but wanted our unique designs printed so we could grow our brand and leave us open to wholesale opportunities. Proper Pen has been a way for us to collaborate creatively and stay connected despite the distance. This summer the timing was right to launch our curated collection!

As best friends living in two different states, what does an average day at the “office” look like for you both? Are responsibilities split evenly or do you each have your own set of responsibilities within the company and for managing the online shop?

We converse daily over email but also make sure to schedule regular phone calls and come prepared with an agenda. Typically, we set our goals for the week and divide them up based on preference. While we alternate tasks, I particularly enjoy staging & photographing our products. To make things easier we also both have inventory to fulfill orders and handle the shipping process as quickly as possible!

Where do you look for inspiration for your work?

I often derive inspiration from exploring great shops on Etsy. I love the curated collections that change daily on the home page. To me it’s like a museum of great handmade work, often tied together by just one color or theme. For our “Something Blue” collection, blue, silver and gold will be the pervading colors.


What has been the most rewarding part of starting Proper Pen?

Knowing that our cards are a vehicle for conveying meaning and spreading joy is the most rewarding part of starting Proper Pen. We recently fulfilled an order for a bride who purchased a “Maid of Honor” card. The idea that in some small way we’re making her wedding a little more special makes it all worth it!

What is the best advice you’ve ever received about following your passion and what advice would you give our readers who want to start their own businesses?

Research everything! Think from the perspective of a potential customer. Make sure the payment process isn’t too complicated, that your shop is mobile friendly, that you won’t have trouble spelling the company name when searching for it...etc. But most importantly, do what you love and you won’t regret it. If you have a passion, pursue it to the ends of the earth.


What’s next for Proper Pen?

We’re looking forward to rolling out our Holiday line, introducing more notecard boxed sets and designing for our “Something Blue” wedding collection. Stay tuned!

F U N   Q U E S T I O N S:

Item(s) in your office you can’t live without:
Fresh flowers (for mood lifting and photo staging)
Micron Ink Pen Set (the most precise for hand-lettering!)
Pottery Barn Photo Carousel (The perfect way to store & display our cards)

3 websites you read every day: 
Radio BDC - Love to listen to new music and hear about what is going on around Boston while I work.
Etsy - It’s great to see what crafts other people are doing!
Pinterest - Perfect place to organize inspiration, and collect things we think are cool or interesting.

On your playlist this week:
Jenny Lewis - The Voyager
Vance Joy - Riptide

The next city you want to visit: 
Even though Lisa and I have both been, I would love to go back to San Francisco and set up shop at some fun craft shows!

Currently reading:  
Gone Girl 

To learn more about Bridget and Lisa of Proper Pen,  follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Photos via Proper Pen

Who [Are Those] Gals: Nicole and Heather of Ku De Ta

One of our favorite places to shop, KuDeTa, is a name most of you must know from the South Boston location as a must-visit shopping venue.  We recently had the chance to talk with the owners at a local cafe.  It is amazing how quickly their brand has grown, and we look forward to supporting their successes, especially with recently-opened second location!  Read on for more! 

Nicole Cronin (L) and Heather O’Connell (R), KuDeTa

As told to JUGs July 23, 2014

Okay, this is probably the first thing people ask you, but we’re dying to know the story behind the name KuDeTa, do tell!

We were the first clothing store to open in South Boston.  So, the words “coup d'état” means “revolution,” and the tagline for our store is that “the fashion revolution starts here,” except it is usually spelled a different way, so to mess everyone up, we changed the spelling from the French way to Asian writing.  So, until we put up accessories and clothing next to our storefront logo, people, at first, thought we were a sushi restaurant!  

Please walk us through your backgrounds, and the joint decision to become business owners!

Nicole founded KuDeTa in 2006, and I had graduated from URI with my bachelor’s degree in Textiles, Merchandising and Design in 2007.  After graduating, I was working at a job that I didn’t like at all. One day I just couldn’t continue with my then job and literally just drove away. I drove to Southie and applied as a waitress at The Boston Beer Garden and walked across the street to apply at KuDeTa. I met Nicole and [then store General Manager] Molly.  Later that week I was brought in for an interview and was hired.  I started out very part-time, just three days a week as a Sales Associate.  From that, it grew to an Assistant Manager position then General Manager and eventually buyer/  When the opportunity came to open a second location, Nicole offered me an option to partner with her in Chestnut Hill, which I couldn’t pass up!

So, how it all started for me was I didn’t go to school for fashion, I went for liberal arts.  I always loved fashion, I always loved looking at magazines.  After college, I was bartending, making great money and told myself I just had to grow up.  I  got my real estate license and figured this is what I’m going to do, make a big sale [and be happy doing that].  Then, on the weekends, I found myself sitting down with fashion magazines.  My husband would say to me, “You know, you really need to read the real estate section, this is what you do now.  But, if you want to do something else just go with it and I’ll support you.”  I knew I didn’t want to read the real estate section, so one day driving through Southie, he said to me “Go with it and do it now, or don’t do it at all” (referring to opening a boutique).  So it was a huge, huge risk, to go for it, so but I did, and now we’ve been in business for eight (!) years.  Heather and I just have such a great harmony.  I can completely trust Heather to run the store, and she is part of the reason we opened the new location.  Plus, we’d love to expand more, 4, 5 stores, maybe even a private label!  We want to be trying new things and expanding our brand.  We’re not buying for 100 Heathers, or all Nicoles, we’re buying for every type of girl. There are so many different styles meshed into one store.  

We think you were one of the leaders in turnaround of East Broadway (back in 2006), not an easy task!  How did you decide on boutique locations, in Southie and now in Chestnut Hill?

From the beginning, the South Boston community was super supportive of KuDeTa.  Back in ‘06 when I opened the store I did so because there was nowhere to shop in South Boston. I could see that it was something the community needed. If you wanted to go shopping you had to take a cab, bus or train downtown. Opening KuDeTa made it easy for girls to stop in and grab a last-minute outfit for a night on the town or a gift or whatever they may have needed that night. As we grew so did our brands and labels we carried and we became more of a shopping destination for women not only in South Boston but also throughout the city. We were able to bring downtown styles to South Boston, so now women don’t have to go far from home to shop designer brands and the latest trends.  The developers of The Street actually approached us. We’ve always talked of expansion but it was a question of where was the right fit for us. After many meetings, research and planning we decided that The Street would be perfect for KuDeTa.  There’s still a feel of small business (Polka Dog Bakery, Portobello Road) as well as national brands (Lululemon, Intermix), which creates an incredible mix in one intimate location.

Starting where we did has prepared us for what has come now, and we’re constantly trying to grow our client base in CH just as we did in Southie, which we know takes a lot of work, but know it’s worthwhile.  We’ve already had return customers within our first month of opening in Chestnut Hill and look forward to continuing to grow the store and brand. So far, so good!

How do you feel each store location caters to its local demographic?  

South Boston has more moderate price points in comparison to Chestnut Hill.  When we decided to go into The Street, being able to keep prices moderate was a major factor in store #2.  South Boston is a more a mix of young professionals, whereas in Chestnut Hill we’re able to elevate our price point a little bit and bring in lines such as 525 America (a great knitwear line), Bella Dahl (huge Celeb following) and Mother Denim. Plus a lot of Australian brands like Lovers and Friends and Keepsake for more edge, and a higher price point.  It’s been fun to bring in pieces that we may not have thought about offering before.  In the same breath, it’s been great to test the waters in Southie first and see how things are so relevant to our customer base.  

Who do you look to for inspiration, either personal or business-related?

I would say Kate Moss, I’ve always loved the way she dresses. My family inspires me to work hard, I learned a great work ethic from my mom and dad.  Nicole has definitely guided me. I was a just a little one in the beginning, all wide-eyed.  I also learned a lot from Molly, the former General Manager, who laid a lot of the company’s foundation.  I also get a lot of inspiration from media, in seeing what other people are doing, like other Boston boutiques; there is such a great synergy!  When you see others doing great things, it makes you want to do the same, it’s really a healthy competition.  Just like our boutique neighbors in both locations, it’s inspirational!

What are your favorite aspects of your work?  Least favorite?

We both think being your own boss is awesome, although also challenging since everything falls on your shoulders. I feel like I’m always glued to my phone making sure everything is running smoothly at the store but I want to be available as a resource, too.

We must applaud you on your low-pressure approach to customer service. Too often, local boutiques have snobby or pushy team members representing their personal brand, which is a real turn off to the shopping experience.  How did you establish this with those you employ?

That’s been my goal from the beginning.  When women walk in, we welcome them and generally suggest they browse, and after trying something, they seek our opinion, and we’re able to naturally help women feel like their very best self. I’ve had customers say that coming in to shop at KuDeTa is the best part of their day, and I try to keep that in the back of my head when helping customers. We just like to have fun and want people to feel comfortable, I think that resonates at both our stores.  Even if you want to come in for a chat, we’re here for you!  

From your website, we saw that you host Girls’ Night Out, that sounds so fun!  Tell us more!

We host Girls’ Night Out sessions during the week, from 7-9 at our Southie location. We provide wine, hors d'oeuvres and 20% off all store merchandise and you just need to have 10 women minimum, which is our one requirement. We have a lot of customers who do it every season, we’ll put on your favorite music and just run with it. In Chestnut Hill we close a bit later, so we’re still finalizing hours, updates will be on our website.

What do you see next for KuDeTa?

We definitely want to open more stores, continue looking into doing a private label and

anything to brand ourselves as a business.  Anything is possible! We’re never going to stray from who we are. Of course right now, we’re focused on Chestnut Hill, then we’ll be taking over the world!

Any fashion predictions for the future of Boston style?

Boston is constantly evolving, there is an influx of young, interesting people. With all the European influences, we’re ever-changing. The city is growing so much, and we’re going to see a big influence in that.  People are having more fun with style than before. I think we’re going to see different types of styles than what we’re used to, more experimentation. 


Are there any upcoming promotions we can let our readers in on?

Your readers can sign up via our website for the latest updates as well as social media.  We’re also on Boutikey, which is a great way to find out about flash sales.

JUGs Quickies:

Favorite line/item that you carry

Pink Martini is my favorite line right now, their piece have great flair.  I’m also a big denim fan, mostly True Religion and Mother.  Lovers and Friends is a great new line, too. Free People, I just love everything they do.  They have this white dress with black embroidery that definitely makes me feel like a “10,” it is killer!  I also love Alternative Apparel for classic, simple back-to-basics, especially when it’s hot out!  Their prices are reasonable, too, for such great pieces.

Favorite food spot/watering hole in Southie

The Playwright // I’m a Lucky’s girl!

Favorite food spot/watering hole in Chestnut Hill

Davio’s // Del Frisco’s, they have a great number of options for vegetarians!

Most inspiring female to you today

Vivienne Starlite, 3, she’s my best friend (and daughter)! // My mother. And if we’re going non-personal, I’m a big Oprah fan.

Last book you read (our blog initially started as a book club):  

The First Phone Call From Heaven, by Mitch Albom, I just love all of his books! // All Fall Down by Jennifer Weiner, it was a great summer read, and the author has ties to New England, which is always relatable.

Dream brand collaboration

Red Valentino // Samantha Wills (Australian jewelry designer on my radar), found via Instagram

What are you waiting for?! Get yourself to one of KuDeTa's fabulous locations today!

- Meredith

photos courtesy of KuDeTa's instagram page and website

Who's That Gal: Jennifer Phelan

Please tell us a little about your background and how you found yourself in the world of fitness today.
I grew up in upstate New York and was involved in dancing since age three. I went to Northeastern University for journalism which was totaly unrelated to fitness. When I had to get a work-study job, I saw a flyer in the gym with a photo of a girl that had a wireless mic on. It said ‘get certified to be a fitness teacher.’ This was the time around when Britney Spears was cool, so I was like perfect, dance around a room with a microphone on, this is totally up my alley. I auditioned, got the job and my certification to teach. I started freshman year and continued throughout college teaching everything from hip-hop to aerobics type stuff.

Teaching dance and fitness felt very natural to me. I grew up in the studio, so it felt great and I kept meeting wonderful people in my classes. After college I did what you were supposed to do, I got a 9-5 job, but kept teaching on the side. I ended up teaching so much that I was even teaching before and after work and I was working almost 80 hours a week. I spent 3 years in the marketing department of a law firm and then one day I decided it was time to make the leap. I quit my job, started teaching full time, and never looked back.

Starting your own business is the “American dream,” but takes a lot of work. Can you tell us about the process you went through to get your teacher’s license and how you built your client base / reputation to what it is now? 

Don’t get me wrong, quitting my job was scary. I’d never quit anything in my entire life and it was a secure job. I had benefits, a steady paycheck and I thought that was what you were supposed to do. But, I was lucky and I knew it was meant to be when the next day I had a meeting with Lululemon and they asked me to be an ambassador.

The key thing about starting a business is being dedicated and passionate about what you are doing. People don’t realize that how much work it is. I know there are folks who think I just wear spandex and sneakers everyday and bop around from class to class. But there is obviously a lot more to it.

The business of fitness has evolved over the past few years. When I started, people didn’t need to promote themselves the way they do now. Now, social media is a huge part of the job and everyone has a website, Facebook page and more. From the start, I was really set on creating a brand for myself and I was oversharing the details of my life because people seemed really interested in it. I created a Facebook page and just started posting all the time. Things progressed very naturally. Now everyone is doing that and you really have to stay on top of your game to reach your audience.

It took me a while to build my following but I have been doing it for 5 years and I’ve been putting in the effort. I don’t think all new instructors realize that it takes time, you don’t just start with 1,000 followers off the bat. Scheduling, emailing, marketing, updating your website, blogging and social media are all a huge part of your job as well.

To keep people interested, I try to go against the grain, and find new ways to market myself besides adding more noise on your mini-feeds. Free events used to be a rarity, but now they are the norm so I have to be constantly figuring out the next thing.

What has been the greatest business challenge you have encountered to date and who do you turn to for advice when challenges arise?

The hardest thing is that I’m doing this on my own. I’ve had assistants in the past that were really great. They were my right hand people, helping with events and such. But I don’t have my own studio or enough money to pay people to always help me. So I have to work hard to find the work-life balance that works for me.

Flexibility is a double edge sword. I have to plan around my own schedule and my clients’. Around the holidays and in the summer clients are on vacations and it’s great that I can take time off too, but I have to plan ahead because during that time off I’m not getting paid. And now I have a baby which is another story.

On that note, what’s the best career advice you’ve received? What advice would you give to a young woman looking to follow in your footsteps?

The best advice I’ve received was from my father who told me you have to love what you’re doing. I was really young and scared when I was thinking of quitting my office job and I was afraid to tell my parents. My parents have always been super supportive and that gave me the courage to give it a try and they totally supported me because they saw how happy I was when I was teaching.

If I had to give advice to someone else I’d say just go for it! Life is too short to spend it sitting behind a desk wishing you were doing something else. If it’s meant to be it will work out and if it doesn’t so what? You learned something and you can move on to something else. Take risks.

Over the past few months a lot has changed in your personal life- you just became a new mommy! How has parenthood changed your role as a pilates instructor and business woman?  

It puts things into perspective and you really have to prioritize when managing your time. I’m still trying to figure everything out and I don’t know that I will ever have everything figured out. It’s funny because before I thought I would just bounce back into shape - physically and emotionally, but right now I’m learning the challenge of juggling my son’s life, my life, my family life and my business.

Motherhood is crazy - I have so much more respect for moms now. The things you go through physically and emotionally, the way you feel about yourself and your body before and after childbirth is something you can’t prepare yourself for. I’m very lucky that I have met a group of mothers that have become a new support system for me.

This group of new friends  actually inspired me to create programs for moms where they can feel comfortable about getting back in shape. In my new mommy classes you can work out with your baby and no matter what your baby does during the class it’s ok because we are all in the same boat.

Aside from Pilates, what are some best practices you recommend to clients to live a better, more purposeful life 

I’m by no means a nutritionist but I’d say along with working out, the best thing you can do is being aware of what you are putting in your body. I am all for everything in moderation, I’m not into crazy diets or anything, but eating clean is important. Just make sure what you are eating is real. You can’t eat crap.

I grew up like everyone else, not totally aware that processed stuff was bad. But now that we are so much more aware of that as a society, it’s great that we know that a balanced diet can really change your day - change your focus, your energy and everything else. When you feel good about yourself you are more capable of good things. Make time for yourself, eat healthy.

How has the culture of Boston influenced your business and fitness choices? (We love your free workshops!)

I’m here because this where I went to school and I had a great community of friends that stayed here. My community has also continued to grow over the years and I’ve met so many wonderful people through my classes.

Even though Boston is a big city, everyone is so supportive. The Pilates community is so strong and all the fitness instructors are friends. It’s really evolved and I’ve loved watching it grow. We all have our own style but we’re all in it together.

What’s even cooler is that Boston has become such a fitness city, so as a fitness instructor that’s very exciting

What’s next for JP Pilates? 

I always have something up my sleeve! I always want to do more, I have big goals, big dreams and with time they will happen. Until then I want to keep you in suspense! What I can tell you is that I am definetly going to incorporate more classes for mothers.

JPPilates is always growing and evolving along with my life. For example when I was getting married I was doing a lot of workouts that focused on brides because I knew how stressful getting ready for the big day was. Now I am changing my focus a little bit to group in a lot more options for moms and moms to be.

BUT, don’t worry, this does not mean I am only doing mommy stuff.  I’m still cool, sort of! All I can say is I know I’m not teaching a lot right now as I am figuring out this new mom-life, but this fall I will be back and I will be offering a lot more for each and everyone of you.

I am here to stay, there’s no getting rid of me Boston!

F U N   Q U E S T I O N S:

The most fun pilates class that you offer: Pilates Fusion at North End Yoga. I love that class. The people that come to this class are hard core.

Nike or New Balance? Nike

Coffee or tea? Coffee, no question.

Must-have workout gear item: Lululemon Wunder Unders, that’s my staple. Everything goes around that and as a former ambassador I love to represent them!

Favorite meal in Boston: Sushi from a hidden sushi place called Ginza in Chinatown

Favorite summer weekend getaway: Hingham - I love walking in World’s End

Most inspiring female to you today:  My mom

Last book you read: A bunch of mom books. The last one was Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Dr. Marc Weissbluth

To learn more about Jennifer Phelan follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

Photos via Jennifer Phelan & Lucie Wicker Photography

Who's That Gal: Team J and A

Tell us a bit about Team J + A. How did you get started?
We met each other while teaching Bikram yoga, and got to know each other better because we were both finishing nutrition school around the same time. We started studying together, and eventually, our study sessions became discussions about starting a detox program. At that point we both had other jobs, so the detox idea was pretty casual, but within the last year or two, we both decided to work full time at developing our 14 Day Detox Program.

What is the 14 Day Whole Food Detox?
Every season, we host an online, live, program - essentially, it is a course on clean cooking and eating. Its not paleo or vegan, though the program has elements of both, rather it’s a way of discovering what works best for you and what foods are right for your body. We provide grocery lists and recipes that make it easy to cook without any processed ingredients. For the entire two weeks, participants are off gluten, soy, corn, extra sugar, dairy, caffeine, and alcohol. By eliminating each of these elements, you’ll quickly discover where your body’s sensitivities lie. It may sound intimidating, but on the Whole Food Detox you can eat as much as you want, so you won’t feel as restricted as you might think.

As a  young business owners, what challenges have you faced in your industry and business in general?
Going from a corporate world, to working at home can feel pretty lonely. We’re lucky that we are doing this together. Working from home isn’t as glamorous as people imagine it to be. It’s equally as stressful as a corporate job because you have no excuses when you are answering to yourself.

Your motto is “Feel Something More,” how does your detox program promote this mission?
Feel something more really encapsulates the mission of the 14 Day Detox. There is more specific “this” or “that” expected result of the program, but you will feel better, and it really depends from person to person on what that is. You’ll feel better in your own body, have more energy, sleep better, and you’ll feel more in every aspect of your life.

How do you know if a detox program is right for you?
A seasonal detox can be right for anyone. People with certain eating disorders may want to avoid doing a detox, but otherwise, detoxing, especially as the seasons change, is often a healthy choice. Especially for people that already work out regularly and eat healthy, but don’t feel good – whether it be digestive issues, or general anxiety – a detox can really help.

What are the first steps someone should take when trying to “eat clean”?
Just be balanced and consistent. The main thing you can do to start feeling better on your own is to cook at home. It doesn’t matter what you cook per se, the first step is making your own food which automatically eliminates preservatives and other chemicals. It also saves you a bunch of money!

What is next for J + A? 
Our June detox is open for registration!
We’re also hoping to roll out a corporate wellness program to make it easier for people and companies to work together to get healthy. We will help design employee challenges and things like that.
And soon, we’d like to do a destination course / retreat. We’d take a class down to Mexico and do a combination of clean eating and transformational coaching!

Best meal in Boston: Myers & Chang

Favorite Boston hangout: I'm learning to salsa dance, and I also love going out to eat with my husband.

Best workout in Boston: Bikram!

Coffee or tea: Tea

Stripes or plaid: eh...neither.

Bike or walk: Walk. 

And because we’re a bookclub, what was the last book you read: I just finished Where'd You Go Bernadette, and now I'm reading The Language of Flowers.

Best meal in Boston: Casa B

Favorite Boston hangout: Havana in Central Sq - I love salsa dancing!

Best workout in Boston: Bikram

Coffee or tea: Tea

Stripes or plaid: Stripes

Bike or walk: Bike

And because we’re a bookclub, what was the last book you read: I'm working through The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert.

- Cameron

Who's That Gal: Hopie from Block Shop Textiles

We first found out about Block Shop Textiles through a friend and quickly fell in love with their prints, mission and story of two sisters starting a business doing what they love. We were lucky enough to catch up with Hopie, the soon to be graduate of Harvard Business School, to learn more about the Block Shop story and their mission to create beautiful textiles that are both socially conscious and environmentally sound. 

Name: Hopie Stockman
Age: 29
Hometown: Princeton, NJ
Current ‘Hood: Cambridge, MA
Educational Background: Brown University, Harvard Business School

We love Block Shop Textiles! Can you tell us how you and your sister, Lily, first discovered your love for the ancient art of Indian block printing?
Lily (my sister and co-founder) moved to northern India in 2010 to apprentice with a Mughal miniature painter before starting her MFA at NYU. Her research on traditional printing led her to the town of Bagru, where a community of hand block printers specialize in natural dyes. Enter Vijey, our head printer. He was organizing a cooperative of printers in Bagru to command fair wage prices and focus on the traditional hand block printing technique, and was looking for a collaborator. The timing was just right. They began experimenting with Lily’s large scale, geometric designs and the results were beautiful. After sending prototypes back and forth between India and my apartment in San Francisco, we hatched our business plan.

I was on a plane/train/rickshaw several months later to cement our partnership with the co-op and we launched Block Shop Textiles in December 2012. Lily and I now collaborate on all designs, run the business out of our Cambridge studio with the help of two incredible Harvard undergrad interns, and travel to Bagru twice yearly.

Your textiles are hand printed in Bagru, India, a community Block Shop is very connected to. Can you tell our readers more about your relationship with the Bagru community and your philanthropic efforts within Bagru? (What drives you to improve the economic and social welfares of the Bagru families?)

We work with a co-op of about 20 printers, whose hand block printing heritage runs five generations deep. After four years of trips to Bagru, our printers have become like family to us. Our social mission is two-fold: provide health care access and protect the environment. And that’s what we are doing.

We donate a portion of our proceeds from each scarf to a community fund focused on healthcare delivery. The rural poor in India often lack the infrastructure (transportation, personal identification numbers, health insurance) to access the public health care available in cities, and expensive private healthcare is out of the question. After a year of research we’re seeking to bridge that gap by bringing high quality doctors from the city to run day-long mobile clinics in our community.

Our second mission is to use and promote the use of natural dyes in Bagru. The vast majority of all textile printing –not just in India but around the world–  is done with chemical dyes, which are brighter and cheaper, but responsible for the irreversible toxic leach into an already dangerously low water table. It’s an uphill battle trying to get printers to return to the old-school method of making dye from plants and minerals (and educate consumers about the environmental repercussion of those neon jeans), but our foreman has been instrumental in bringing that tradition back.

What does a day in the life of an Harvard Business School student and business owner look like?

I love it. Instead of extracurriculars I spend all my spare time working on Block Shop. The second year schedule is extremely flexible so that students can recruit for jobs, which was a blessing for my sister and me as our sales ramped up. We also have access to the amazingly talented pool of undergrads - our two interns are PHENOMENAL, creative businesswomen in the making.

What advice would you give to a gal looking to obtain her MBA?

It’s a fantastic, sometimes overwhelming experience and can be exceptionally rewarding if you come into it with clear goals. Beyond the business acumen and network you’d expect to leave with, I was surprised by (and grateful for) the emphasis Harvard puts on self reflection and authenticity in leadership. Two years of of time and space away from a job are a gift, so use that space to think critically about what drives you.

On your site you have an excellent travel guide to for anyone planning to visit India. If you could provide the same guidance for someone looking to start their own business, especially so connected to a culture different than their native culture, what advice would you give?

Oh thank you - we LOVE Jaipur! I’m not in much of a position to give entrepreneurship advice given our infancy. But if there’s one thing we’ve learned about doing business India, it is the importance of time spent on the ground, forming a real and long-lasting friendship with our team. Our relationship with Bagru is our business.

Working with your sister must be fun! Can you tell us more about how you two share responsibilities? Have you encountered any challenges with working together?

It’s the most fun I’ve ever had working. We are extremely open and commutative which is a relief from the corporate culture I’m used to. Given Lily’s background in the arts, and my background in business, our daily roles follow those lines. However, Lily is an extremely talented marketer and I studied painting through college. So there is very natural overlap in our skill sets, allowing us work both sides of our brains and collaborate on almost everything. We are sisters, so there’s a lot of goofiness, singing, sometimes yelling, and swaddling dogs in scarves.

What’s next for Block Shop?
We are currently working on a new line of products for the home, including pillows, bedspreads, and dhurrie rugs. But “homewares” sounds boring! We are making functional art you live with. Soft organic cottons. Beautiful slubby linens. Bohemian but sophisticated. All in our the Block Shop desert-modern aesthetic.

F U N   Q U E S T I O N S:

Currently Reading: Two that I’m currently buried in are The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer, and I Shock Myself, the autobiography by the Beatrice Wood, ceramist and Dadaist muse. She led a truly inspired life.  

Favorite Meal in Boston: Eggs benedict at The South End Buttery, and masala dosa at the Dosa Factory, a hole-in-the-wall Indian fast food joint by our studio in Central Square. They blast Bollywood music videos and the dosas are dynamite.

Favorite outfit to pair a Block Print scarf with: I love what a Block Shop scarf does to jeans, biker boots and a white silk blouse.

Female Role Model: Auntie Mame - our late surrogate grandmother and incarnation of the fictional, larger-than-life eponymous heroine. She was a horticulturist, traveled the world, read prodigiously and had an African grey parrot named Kato. Gold bangles up her arm from so many trips to India. A woman with a real point of view– that’s the Block Shop woman.

And we have to ask, have you tried BollyX?
No, but I did learn a few bhangra moves from our foreman’s 10-year-old son in Bagru, who is the best little dancer I’ve ever seen (you can see his moves if you follow our Instagram, here).

To learn more about Block Shop follow them on instagram, tumblr, and facebook.


- Suzanne