How Unique's Community Led Me to a Book Deal

By Nicole Miyuki

After being in college for years surrounded by friends, spending eight hours in front of a computer at a full-time job was a hard transition for me. I needed a creative outlet.

I decided to combine two things I love, quotes and watercolors, and challenged myself to paint one quote every day for a year. I started a tumblr, called Grounded on the Daily, to share my work. It was an escape, a way to creatively express myself. Then friends and family began to notice what I was doing and started asking me to make prints for them. This was simply a creative outlet for me, selling my work never even crossed my mind!

Then I heard about this cool market called Unique LA and thought, “Why not try and apply, who knows what will happen?” I told one of my dear and talented friends, Jen B. Peters, an illustrator, and we applied to set up a booth together. I will never forget the day we got the acceptance email, and how excited we were! We had no idea what we were doing. Truly.

But here’s what I’ve learned: The energy you put out into the world, comes back around. Just going for it, putting my passion projects out there and connecting with people returned so much to me.

Because of that experience at my first Unique LA market, I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with many incredible people. And when I started to teach hand- lettering workshops, my first class was at the store of a vendor I met at Unique LA, Danni of Oh Hello Friend.

Flash forward to today, I’ve made hand lettering my career, taught to over 700 people, and now I am even a published author - say what?! How I went from this girl who needed a creative outlet, to making it my full-time job and writing my book, is still beyond me. But, what I can confidently say is that all this has been possible because of the people I’ve met along the way.

It’s all about people. Humans with beating hearts, who together can create a brighter more creative world.

So, thank you Sonja and the rest of the Unique LA team for being the people that said yes to me at my first Unique LA and for creating a space where people can share what they create, connect and collaborate.

Nicole’s book, By Hand: The Art of Modern Lettering was published in 2018.

Kombucha 101: How To Know If You’re Drinking The Real Thing

Kombucha 101: How To Know If You’re Drinking The Real Thing

Social media influencers promote it. Health and wellness gurus drink it. Grocery store chains carry it. The kombucha craze has taken over. Yet, the trendy probiotic beverage that people can’t stop talking about actually has a whole history behind it’s effervescent conception. And it turns out, it goes far beyond the pop culture zeitgeist.

BRIEF HISTORY

In fact, kombucha came about in East Asia, dating all the way back to 220 BC. It is believed that in those ancient times, people would give one another (including the Royal Family) a SCOBY to create an “Immortality Tea” or “Long Life Elixir” as the ultimate gift of love.

THE REAL THING v. THE COMMERCIAL

Although kombucha is readily-available in most commercial grocery stores, finding authentically-brewed batches can be a harder feat than you might expect. To make sure you’re getting raw, unpasteurized kombucha, made in the vein of its sacred roots, evaluate your kombucha based on what you can SEE,TASTE,andFEEL.

SEE: Even if those floating strands at the bottom of your bottle alarm you, you should know they’re actually a living indication that your kombucha has been properly crafted. Those swimming strands are healthy live cultures that result from the kombucha’s fermentation process (which also creates those naturally-occurring effervescent bubbles). 

TASTE: If the first sip tastes just like your everyday carbonated sugary soda (or smooth like a typical tea), then put the bottle down. Real kombucha goes through a natural fermentation process which creates those naturally-occurring effervescent bubbles and produces its signature tangy, vinegar-like bite. These unique, natural qualities make kombucha a great, better-for-you ingredient that chefs love incorporating into all kinds of recipes.

FEEL: Many facets of kombucha’s crafting tradition have varied throughout history (i.e. green tea vs. black tea), however the one thing that remains consistent is its reputation for healing. Because of its fermented nature, which naturally produces probiotics, polyphenols, enzymes, and a host of other nutrients, kombucha can help to maintain a healthy microbiome.

KEEPING THE LOVE ALIVE

Kombucha made its US-debut in the 1990s when GT Dave (of GT’s KOMBUCHA) started brewing his own batches at home after being gifted a Himalayan Mother SCOBY. Since then, every single batch of his kombucha has been created in the same spirit as ancient Eastern practice.

DID YOU KNOW?.

If you’re looking to try making your own kombucha at home, you can simply take some of the liquid and live cultures from your trusted bottle and use it as a starter to create your own batch – just make sure it’s a real, living & raw brew. We recommend GT’s KOMBUCHA Original.

Q&A with Pocket Square Clothing

With no formal fashion training, founders Rodolfo and Andrew established Pocket Square Clothing in 2011 as a men’s accessory brand. They have been crowd favorites every year at our Unique LA markets, and we've watched them grow from selling bowties to being leaders in the world of menswear. Now with their very own retail store headquartered in Downtown Los Angeles, PSC has become an incubator for the Los Angeles menswear movement over the years.

Why did you start PSC?

We started Pocket Square Clothing as a vehicle to explore our own individual styles. We went in knowing nothing about the industry and designing accessories was frankly something we were very interested in. It just so happened that men’s accessories started making a huge resurgence, and we found ourselves in a nice niche to build the brand.

What makes your company standout?

We take a lot of pride in manufacturing and sourcing our goods locally. It allows us to contribute to our local economy as well as empower our local community of designers and makers. To date we feature a collection of handcrafted bow ties, skinny neckties, pocket squares and custom suits/shirting. We’re not afraid to experiment with our designs and incorporate color and textures.

At our Flagship store in DTLA is a multi-brand Menswear concept space that features over 30 Los Angeles lifestyle based brands and designers. Our offerings at the store range from custom furniture, suiting, neck wear, eye wear, basics and more.

Where do you find inspiration?

Pocket Square Clothing is inspired by the idea that everyone can move forward in life through style and etiquette, and the belief that clothing is a language that communicates one’s individualistic qualities. We frankly pull inspiration from our daily lives through art, music, entertainment, architecture, and culture all around us. This is very much a reflection of who we are and is our effort to tell a story, to inspire and be inspired.

When did you first sell at Unique LA?

The first show we ever attended was Summer 2011 in Santa Monica where we showcased eight pre-tied bow tie styles. Two months into starting the company we hadn’t had much success with several craft shows and like many startups, we began to doubt our viability as a business. To our surprise, we sold through most of our inventory and received a lot of great feedback from our customers. It was that Unique event that proved our business model could work and brought us on a journey to where we are today. We’ve done every Unique LA show since.

What’s been the most important thing you attribute to your success?

Less talk, more action.

What’s your best advice to someone starting a business?

Be humble: Learn what your weaknesses are and work on them, nd a partner or group who can ll in the voids and balance you, a path traveled alone is hard and not that fun. Be engaged: You are the brand, so put yourself out there. Be Resourceful: constantly create and learn. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or ask questions, analyze, communicate, experiment, and reinvent. Complacency is your enemy, and sometimes you are your own.

Find your customer: Get to know your customer base and build a brand people can rally behind.

Favorite quote:
Rodolfo: “Just do it” Andrew: “Today you, tomorrow me”

Desert island album: Rodolfo: Jardin by Gabriel Garzon-Montano Andrew: Take Care - Drake

Beverage of Choice:

Rodolfo: Michelada Andrew: Iced Green Tea

Words of Wisdom from 5 Major Entrepreneurs

Recommended Reading for Creatives

The Unique Team gathered a handful of our favorite books for creatives, entrepreneurial types and avid readers... These are not the actual book covers, these are custom-painted covers that Sonja Rasula created just for this project. 

Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life

by Anne Lamott

You can find plenty of books about the art of writing, but if you want to cut to the chase and read one of the best, try Bird by Bird. Anne Lamott is a treasured author, and you’ll see why once you dig into this. If her writing style could be summed up in a song, it would definitely be Fleetwood Mac’s “Go Your Own Way”—and her way is a very good way to go.

The War of Art

by Steven Pressfield

If you’ve ever struggled with a creative block (so basically, all of us), you must read The War of Art. It’s a quick, practical guide to success in your creative endeavors. Bestselling novelist Steven Pressfield talks about the “enemy” that every artist must face: the voice within that halts your work. If you’ve ever struggled with ambition and creative discipline, this book is the kick in the ass you need to get over your fears and get on with your most important work. Whether you’re a writer, painter, or tech entrepreneur, this is a worthwhile and inspirational read.

The Creative Habit: Learn it and Use it for Life

by Twyla Tharp

All it takes to make creativity a part of your life is the willingness to make it a habit. It is the product of preparation and effort, and is within reach of everyone. Whether you are a painter, musician, businessperson, or simply an individual yearning to put your creativity to use, The Creative Habit provides you with thirty-two practical exercises based on the lessons Twyla Tharp has learned in her remarkable thirty-five-year career.

Steal Like an Artist

by Austin Kleon

A fabulous, quick 160-page read. You’ll even want to rip out the simple black and white animations throughout the book and hang them on the wall above your desk. When you read this book by author Austin Kleon, you’ll feel like you’re having a conversation with a good friend. The whole premise of this book is that the most important part of being an artist is being yourself. He also shares a hidden truth about creativity: nothing is truly original—and that’s more than okay.

Ingenius: A Crash Course on Creativity

by Tina Seeling

Imaginative. Innovative. Ingenious. These words describe the visionaries we all respect and admire. And they can describe you, too. Contrary to common belief, creativity is not a gift some of us are born with. It is a skill that all of us can learn. International bestselling author and award-winning Stanford University educator Tina Seelig has worked with some of the business world’s best and brightest, who are now among the decision-makers at companies such as Google, Genentech, IBM, and Cisco. In she expertly demystifies creativity, offering a set of tools and guidelines that anyone can use.

Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance

by Angela Duckworth

In this instant New York Times bestseller, pioneering psychologist Angela Duckworth shows anyone striving to succeed—be it parents, students, educators, athletes, or business people—that the secret to outstanding achievement is not talent but a special blend of passion and persistence she calls “grit.” Drawing on her own powerful story as the daughter of a scientist who frequently noted her lack of “genius,” Duckworth, now a celebrated researcher and professor, describes her early eye-opening stints in teaching, business consulting, and neuroscience, which led to the hypothesis that what really drives success is not “genius” but a unique combination of passion and long-term perseverance.

Q&A with Baluku Design

Sharon Baluku founded her company, Baluku Design, on the idea of giving back. So she creates eco-friendly products, using sustainable materials and practices to ensure a safe environment for future generations; as well, Baluku Designs donates 10% of sales to education programs in Uganda. The high-quality home products and fashion accessories are inspired by her ancestral aesthetics - both African and Scandinavian.

When did you start your company?

For as long as I can remember I have wanted to work for myself. That notion grew stronger around 2014, though at the time I still didn’t know what I was going to focus on. In November of 2015, Baluku Design was up and running!

Why did you start Baluku Design?

Baluku Design started from wanting to create beautiful, unique, simple designs that I wanted to have, but couldn’t find out there. It also came from the urge to use my hands more, and not just be stuck behind a desk. I knew that I wanted to stay in the creative field, and most importantly challenge myself by doing something that I had never done before.

When did you first sell at Unique LA?

I first sold at Unique LA in Spring of 2016. It was my very first show, and I was extremely nervous and had so many doubts in my mind. But once I submitted the payment, I knew there was no turning back. The biggest surprise of that first show was that out of the 250+ talented designers, I ended up winning Best Table Design!

What did you do before becoming an entrepreneur?

Before I started my business I worked as an interior designer at a high-end interior design firm in Silverlake, CA.

What’s been the most important thing you attribute your success to?

The most important thing is also one of the underlying reasons why I started Baluku Design. With this company I have had the privilege of giving back; specifically creating educational opportunities for girls and women in Uganda. I’m committed to supporting their empowerment through education, and this is what keeps me going and continuing to love what I do!

Where do you find inspiration?

My inspiration comes from anywhere and everywhere! In general, nature is a big inspiration of mine; I’m always trying to incorporate more of it into my work through natural and sustainable materials, patterns etc. I think that there are endless ideas around us, and if we keep an open mind and pay attention to our surroundings, we can discover amazing things. Furthermore, a lot of it comes from my diverse background – because I have a Ugandan and Swedish background, and because I embrace both cultures almost equally, there is a touch of African and Scandinavian design influences throughout my work.

Advice to someone starting a business?

1. Make sure to educate yourself in whatever you decide to do.

2. Make sure you are comfortable being alone at times because there are lots of lonely nights when you are trying to start a business. You may lose friends along the way due to the time you have to commit to your business, and that’s okay because the right people in your life will stick with you no matter what.

3. Make sure to have fun!

What is the hardest thing about being a business owner?

To me the hardest thing about being a business owner is that I wear a lot of hats! I’m the designer, maker, photographer, and everything in-between that comes with owning a business. Also, time – always trying to find a balance between Baluku Design, my personal life, and my day job as an interior designer.

Who are some indie brands that people should be watching out for?

ILIA, a cosmetic brand that uses an ethical-sustainable approach. Each piece is filled with certified organic bio- active botanicals that nourish and rejuvenate the skin.

Favorite quote:
“Do what you have to do until you can do what you want to do.” – Oprah Winfrey

Desert island album:
A Seat at the Table by Solange Knowles

Beverage of choice: Green tea!

Celebrating 10 Years of Photo Booth fun with Oh Snap! Studios

Since our very first event, we’ve been working with our friends at Oh Snap! Studios to create fun, interactive photo booth experiences for our shoppers. That’s TEN YEARS of amazing photos that show just how creative and silly the Unique family really is! We went way back into the archives to create this round-up of shots from the Oh Snap! galleries from throughout the years. We hope you enjoy! Don’t miss this year’s booth at our Los Angeles event!

Cheers! Our Fave Festive Cocktails

Who doesn't love a good cocktail around the holidays?! We've rounded up our Top 3 favorite recipes for you to enjoy... Cheers!

Under-The-Mistletoe Punch

Michael Graydon and Nikole Herriott

The North Pole Cocktail

Winter Sangria

The Big Impact of Shopping Small

Featured product: Messenger Duffle Olive Waxed Canvas/Black Leather, from Graf Lantz

People often ask us what we mean when we say that buying from locally-owned businesses helps the community, so we decided to dedicate this post to showing all the amazing benefits of spending your dollars on independently made goods. Purchasing products that are made by people in your community just feels good, but it also helps support the local economy on both a micro and macro level and has other benefits that might not be obvious at first glance. Here are some of the benefits of shopping local:

1. Keep money in the local economy

When you purchase from a local business, that business pays local taxes that get spent on services and infrastructure that will benefit you and the community. That's everything from our public schools and police safety patrols to highway improvements and local parks! When you buy local, a lot more of the money you spend stays in the community. One Chicago study found that for every “independent retailers return more than three times as much money per dollar of sales [to the local economy] than chain competitors.”

Local business owners you spend with also have an incentive to spend their money with other neighborhood businesses to get their services and supplies for things such as printers, couriers, manufacturers, accountants, etc. The cycle is continuous! Chain businesses, on the other hand, tend to purchase from larger suppliers and are less invested in buying local.

2. Help small, local businesses grow

When small businesses grow, they need help! The more people buy from a small business, the more they have to produce of their products. As they scale, they will have to invest in hiring employees to support their growth. In this way, buying local helps create jobs in the local community.

3. Know the people behind the products you buy

At Unique Markets, you meet the person behind the product that you’re buying. You hear their story and how the product was made, and all of a sudden that product holds more importance and character than a product you bought online that says “made in China.” When you personally know the people behind the local business where you’re buying products and services, you enjoy a connection you would not otherwise have. You also become invested in the success of that person and if you like their product, you want other people to know about it too!

4. Be a more conscious consumer

Shopping locally reduces your environmental footprint in a few different ways. First, when you purchase directly from the producer, you’re cutting out the energy and shipping waste that is required to transport products from places like China and Indonesia where a lot of mass produced products are made. With the increasing popularity of Amazon and online shopping, shipping waste has become a HUGE issue. And when you buy a well-crafted product and you know the person who created it, you are more likely to cherish and hold on to it than you are to discard it like we tend to do with mass-produced items that we know just aren’t special.

5. Make shopping a more meaningful experience

In the age of smartphones, online shopping and constant screen time, genuine face-to-face interactions and true community experiences are becoming more and more rare. At local shopping events like Unique Markets, you get to enjoy the experience of shopping and find out about the quality of the products from the people who created them. And most importantly, you know where your dollar is going and whose lives you’re impacting which is way more meaningful than placing an order on Amazon.

So while you may spend a few more dollars on things produced by local businesses, you can be confident that buying those products is indeed making a positive impact in so many ways that you can feel good about! Yay!

Thank You for 10 Years: Can't spell Unique without U

Ten years ago I created Unique LA as my love letter to the City of Angels, but I had no idea that it would grow into the massive movement and community it’s become. I placed a bet on my hometown, spending my entire retirement savings to hold the first market, and I never looked back.

Rewind to the summer of 2008 when MySpace still ruled and cell phones were used for talking on the phone. I was sitting on the 10 freeway, stuck in gridlocked traffic trying to get to a store in Venice before it closed, when I had an idea. Create a cool pop-up mall of sorts, where people could get all their shopping done in one place. At the time, Los Angeles was best known for being home to brands like Juicy Couture and Ed Hardy, the beach, and Paris Hilton. Yikes.

The city I knew and loved was filled with a burgeoning world-class art scene, small designers with big ideas, and amazing artisans. A place with a diverse community of risk-takers and doers – people I believed would help rewrite the story of LA as a city of innovation and creativity, not just in the film industry. And so I set out to create a pop-up marketplace that would bring people together, celebrate independent designers and artists, and help the local economy. A brand-new retail experience filled with interactivity, inspiration and good vibes.

From Day One it’s been about the people and the community. You’ve become my family - from the shoppers to the sellers (over 7500 at this point), to the sponsors and all the amazing staff who have worked with me. I’ve watched as sellers became parents. One family’s daughter grew from being a kid to a college student. I’ve been there to see brands like Sub_Urban Riot and Hedley & Bennett start at our markets and grow into popular, national brands. I’ve witnessed JJ Abrams shop at Unique LA every single year (uh yeah, blows my mind). And I’ve received emails from people who tell me they shopped at Unique LA as teenagers, and it inspired them to become entrepreneurs and artists!

Thanks to you, we’ve held markets in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York City, and Minneapolis. I’ve travelled across the country as a keynote speaker at conferences like SXSW, Create & Cultivate, and HOW Design Live. Companies like Redbull, Nike and Madewell have hired me. And as a mixed-race woman who is only 5’ 4”, one of my proudest moments was when I was featured on the cover of a magazine. The cover! Do you have unique memories? Please share them with me!

Dedicating the last decade to cultivating community, growing entrepreneurship and introducing people to the idea of conscious consumerism has been an honor. I’m so grateful that I not only get to do what I love every day, but that I get to empower, support and help thousands of small business owners too. THANK YOU so much for your support, enthusiasm and passion throughout the past 10 years. None of this would be possible without you.

SONJA RASULA, CEO & Founder of Unique Markets

Follow my adventures @sonjarasula

Our Fall Pop-Up's Were a Blast!

This fall was busy for UNIQUE! The markets popped up all over the city and it was so fun! We activated at The Grove in Mid City and Platform in Culver City with 70+ independent designers and artists. The days were sunny and beautiful, the beverages from Califia were delicious and the shopping was so good. We had a wide variety of brands with so many beautiful products. Click here to see the full photo albums of our fall pop-up markets.

Unique Home Tour: Jaclyn Johnson's Ridiculously Amazing Home

Gold accents, vintage artwork throughout, beautiful tile floors, and the best textiles and pillows we’ve ever seen… Jaclyn Johnson’s house is the stuff dreams are made of! But it’s the access to the outdoors and natural light in both her home office and her husband, David Kaul’s garage-turned-studio that really inspire.

Jaclyn is the founder of Create & Cultivate, the beloved conference for millennials that has been called “the ultimate conference for women everywhere” by sites such as Refinery 29, The Zoe Report, and Who What Wear. The blogger turned entrepreneur turned young CEO has built Create & Cultivate from a small side hustle, built to inspire budding entrepreneurs, to one of the pre-eminent events for women everywhere. Her first book, Work Party, was released in 2018.

Photography by Jessica Bordner

Q&A with TONL: Inclusion Through Images

Since their inception, stock photography websites have offered homogenous, way-too-retouched photos and very little variety. And yet they are a crucial resource for many small business owners who don’t have huge budgets to capture their own original imagery for everything. So when I met Karen Okonkwo last year and found out about her newly-formed company, TONL, I instantly became the #1 fan. Last year Karen and co-founder Joshua Kissi made waves in an old-school industry when they launched TONL, a culturally diverse stock photography company. I reached out to her to talk innovation, progress and change.  -Sonja Rasula 

TONL Founders Karen & Joshua

Why did you start TONL?

TONL started to address the lack of cultural diverse imagery in today’s media. We wanted to showcase what the world really looks like which is a melting pot of different ethnic backgrounds, sexual preferences, abilities and more. It was time for us to share the true narrative of our world.

For those unfamiliar with stock photography, can you describe what you do?

TONL is a diverse stock photography business that allows people to purchase imagery of people of various ethnic backgrounds and more to be used in various forms of media.

EXAMPLES OF STOCK PHOTOGRAPHY AVAILABLE THROUGH TONL

What was your work background before becoming an entrepreneur?

Prior to embarking in entrepreneurship, I was fully committed to Medical Sales. For Joshua, he spent a small amount of time in retail.

Why are you so passionate about what you do?

We feel so strongly about accurately depicting what the world looks like because it offers a sense of belonging to those underrepresented. Our images also accurately portray the moment in time which makes imagery the timeless, powerful object that it is. We want the future to be able to see what the world really looked like.

The words diversity and inclusivity seem to be popular right now, yet I personally still don’t see a lot of diversity in imagery and on social feeds - especially with small businesses. What are your thoughts?

We agree and this has everything to do with the false idea of what sells. Businesses are old school in the sense that they believe that a white face is more socially accepting. However, studies continue to prove the power in the Black community’s spending power and the Muslim community’s spending power. While I can’t deny the progress, we still have a long way to go to get more diverse people on the front page of magazines and leading in large on screen roles.

EXAMPLES OF STOCK PHOTOGRAPHY AVAILABLE THROUGH TONL

What other businesses are doing really innovative things and providing great tools for small business owners?

Localeur is a black owned business that is doing great things with its platform by simply leading by example. Localeur is an app that allows people to travel to amazing cities and experience the city like a local. Founder, Joah Spearman, has done a wonderful job doing talks to help share his knowledge on seeking investors and how to start an app-based, web-based business.

Another platform that does a wonderful job of speaking to the needs of all communities and developing business owners is Create & Cultivate. Jaclyn Johnson is the CEO and Founder of this amazing platform that seeks to allow women to cultivate the dreams of their life. Her platform is about women empowerment and offers tools to help women in business or women seeking to excel in the workforce.

What’s your advice for creatives and entrepreneurs?

Before you embark into business, sit down and really evaluate why you feel strongly about starting the journey into entrepreneurship. You’ve got to have a deep-rooted strong why because your why is what is going to get you up on the low days of building a business.

Painting for the People: A Look at the Cult-Fave Event "PowWow"

By Adam Mieuli

According to Jasper Wong, POW!WOW! is a spot on descriptor for both the impact art has on a person, POW!, and the reaction a person has to art, WOW! It’s also a Native American term describing a gathering that celebrates culture, music and art. Both meanings are fitting for POW! WOW! Jasper’s global art festival that has created hundreds of public murals in communities around the world during week long art, music and educational events. In 2017 POW! WOW! Hawaii in Honolulu brought together 120 artist painting 20 murals in one week. They also held 9 other festivals in cities around the world. But, this all started as a humble side project that might never have come to be if Jasper hadn’t been rejected from art galleries half a world away from his home state of Hawaii.

Jasper is an artist and painter. In 2010 he moved to Hong Kong to learn about manufacturing products while continuing to paint on the side. But, mainland Chinese art was in vogue and consequently his art was continually rejected from galleries.

Instead of waiting for a “Yes” Jasper created the opportunity for himself. He rented out a tiny, empty restaurant, painted the walls and windows white, few in a few artists from around the world and started his own gallery. They implemented two caveats: they would create paintings throughout the event and at the end they would destroy their work. They wanted to illuminate the creation process for attendees and make art without the intent to sell it.

They called the event POW! WOW! The following year, Jasper decided to bring the event home. He assembled 12 local and international artists and scaled up the event from a tiny restaurant to a warehouse. Everything was on course for a repeat performance, until several sponsors dropped out. Jasper again was faced with a choice: stop the event before launch or fund it himself. He took out his wallet and charged forward, full steam ahead. With new found freedom, they decided to paint a large mural in the parking lot of the warehouse for the duration of the event. That one decision brought everything into focus for Jasper.

Jasper and his team decided they would focus all future POW! WOW!s around week long murals painting exhibitions in communities around the world. Murals fulfilled many of the objectives Jasper had for POW! WOW! Using a public wall as a canvas meant people could witness the process of creating art while improving a community with artwork. A wall is big so it’s easy for artists to collaborate. Being in a public space means it doesn’t necessarily belong to anyone so the work can’t be sold, giving the artists more freedom to create.

Today POW! WOW! has three main missions: Beautify neighborhoods, connect artists, and support local communities through the arts. Artists work for free, donating their time and talents in exchange for a ight, housing, materials, and an opportunity to collaborate, create, teach and improve local communities.

Jasper’s biggest hope with POW! WOW! is that it inspires people, especially kids, to work on and share their own creative projects. “POW! WOW! started as a side project.
It was a hobby, a passion project that grew and it’s helped elevate me as an artists and organizer and connect with artists around the world. It doesn’t matter what you’re interested in, don’t forget about your dreams. If you put in the time and effort, you can create your own career and define your own path.”

Q&A with Three Potato Four

By Sonja Rasula

One of the cool things about entrepreneurship is that you get to know other businesses and the people doing work in similar fields as you, and you get to watch each other grow. Before I even had the concept for Unique Markets back in 2008 I was a fan of Three Potato Four, a website from husband-and-wife team Stu Eli and Janet Morales. Like me, they also seemed to have a passion for finding and collecting vintage things. When they started Three Potato Four was a small online shop where you could find anything from vintage clocks to old paint-by-numbers art. I felt a bond and kinship with them immediately.

Over the years as technology, the internet and social media brought change and offered new opportunity at rapid speeds, the company transitioned from selling one-of-a-kind items to designing their own products and collaborating with big brands. Their unique point of view and design aesthetic was fresh and they not only managed to survive through a terrible economy, but they evolved and are now one of the most popular gift/stationery/ lifestyle brands I know.

While we have yet to meet IRL, we’ve cheered each other on over the years. Their story is so inspirational and interesting, I asked Janet and Stu to share some of their history and wisdom.

Why did you start Theree Potato Four?

We started our business primarily to be able to work for ourselves and have more time with our kids. In the last 10 years, we've had that time and feel super fortunate.

You’ve pivoted and evolved so much, can you share your business timeline?

2007 – 2010: We began the business in 2007 as an on-line retail store. We wanted it to be a different kind of web shop filled with super fun, unique, and unusual housewares, accessories, and souvenirs - items that we loved and knew there was a market for but were difficult for people to source. We included a section of "Vintage" because we thought the items could give our brand a personality/ feeling/vibe and a unique point of view. At the time we started, the only other prominent online resource for vintage goods was eBay and so the antique portion of our business took o very quickly and we adjusted to selling primarily antiques.

A couple of years later we found ourselves in Philadelphia with our own antique shop and working on a line of our own vintage-inspired products (starting with milk bottle carafes, posters, key tags, and pennants) to supplement vintage sales. The kids were small and time was limited to source vintage to meet the demand and so designing, producing, and selling our own line helped with balance (both business and personal). This was a pretty important pivot for our business as, soon after, the influx of antique-focused reality TV (American Pickers, Storage Wars, etc.) changed the antique industry fairly abruptly (lots of weekend warrior antique dealers) and having a diversified business with our own line of products, not just the vintage, allowed us to keep things moving and growing.

2011-2015: During these years, we were selling less vintage and so we closed the antique shop and moved to a smaller studio closer to home. We focused heavily on what was
working well for us - product design; both for the Three Potato Four brand as well as linking up and developing product collections for larger retailers (Urban Outfitters, West Elm, Nordstrom, Fossil, etc.) who were keen on our style. During these years we also began cultivating the wholesale side of our business - more products, more trade shows, etc. I think that having gone through two fairly significant pivots in the business model, we wanted to make sure that we always stayed diversified in what we o er. If retail/wholesale was slow, then we had design and vice versa.

2016-Present: During the past few years the business has grown quite a bit. Larger collaborations, bigger accounts, expanded product lines, employees. We've learned so much about business over the last 10 years. Many highs and many lows, but what we're trying to do now is take all of those business lessons learned and apply to what we love most - designing and putting out products that combine good design with nostalgic roots. We've been making more time to shop for inspiration at antique markets and collector shows and trying to not fall into analysis paralysis or deep doubt with our o beat product ideas. As a business, it's easy to fall into the trap of wanting to follow trends, but we've come to realize that our most successful products have always been ones that people didn't know they wanted till they saw it. It's tough sometimes as we always feel like we are outliers, but it's the love of what we do that keep us going and trying new things. 2018 will see lots more new and different Three Potato Four products that we love and hope others are keen on as well. It's hard to be different, but it is fun to be the oddball.

What’s been your most successful product?

It’s been and continues to be our motel key tags.

Why do you think you’ve been so successful over more than a decade?

On the creative side, we'd have to say that it's a combination of keeping true to our "eye"/point-of-view along with our fortunate knack to foresee a possible trend in bringing something old back in a new way (key tags, pennants, letter boards, etc.). We sometimes use the tagline "Making old things new again" and it really does speak best about what we do and who we are.

On the business side, I think that being diversified in what the business offers (retail, wholesale, design services, sourcing, etc.) has meant a lot. There is never a time where all of these facets are up and being able to focus our efforts on what is currently working allows the business to keep moving while you work on the ones that are not. I would add that being humble, as a brand, as a business, as a vendor, as a partner - is paramount. Also, it's super critical to do your best to foresee upcoming potholes and pitfalls and preparing accordingly. It's not if you will hit them, it's when. And keeping our business small has allowed us the nimbleness and flexibility to both roll with the punches as well as capture some pretty fun projects and be better at customer/client service. Also luck. Lots and lots of luck.

Dolla Dolla Bills Y’all: Master Your Salary Negotiation with These 5 Tips

By Kara Scharwath

The data is clear — the majority of women hate to negotiate and will go out of their way to avoid situations where they have to do it, especially when it comes to compensation. According to a study from Glassdoor, 68% of women accept their first salary offer and men are three times more likely to successfully negotiate a higher salary. And it’s resulting in financial losses that add up over time. Research from Women Don't Ask shows that by NOT negotiating a first salary, you can lose more than $500,000 by age 60. Women who do consistently negotiate salary increase earn at least $1 million more over their careers than women who don't!

The good news is that with a little help and some diligent preparation, you too can slay your salary negotiation. Here’s how:

1. SET AN ACCURATE BASELINE

Use online resources like Glassdoor, Salary.com, and Payscale.com to ground your negotiation in hard data. Research salaries for similar jobs in your city at a comparable level of experience, education, skill, responsibility and performance.

It’s also helpful to talk with contacts in your field to get firsthand information from people who have experience in your industry. Don’t ask them what they make; instead, ask them for a range based on your role and level of experience. If you know any recruiters or have friends that work in human resources, they can be great resources too. If you don’t have those connections to reach out to, use LinkedIn to find people to contact or ask your college’s career services department to put you in touch with alumni.

By doing your due diligence, you base your argument on solid data, not just a feeling that you deserve more money. And you’ll feel more confident about the number you’re asking for.

2. PROVE YOUR VALUE

Comparative salary data is great, but you know what’s even better? Undeniable evidence that you’re killing it at your job. When you ask for a raise, your boss or manager is going to expect you to make a convincing case that you’re adding value to the company. Identify specific examples that clearly demonstrate your high level of performance, contributions to your team, and wherever possible, quantifiable results. This is how you can prove that you’re a valuable asset that’s well worth the additional compensation that you’re asking for.

3. REHEARSE YOUR DELIVERY

You should prepare for a salary negotiation the same way you would prepare for an important presentation or client pitch. Practice your language and delivery paying close attention to your body language, eye contact and facial expressions. You may be nervous on the inside but you want to come off as calm, positive and confident.

Write down the language you want to use and have a friend role play with you. Ask them to come up with some objections that your boss might pose and try to respond in real time. They can also give you feedback on how you can improve. Going through the scenario a few times will help you feel more comfortable once you’re faced with the real thing.

4. LISTEN + BE CREATIVE

A salary negotiation isn’t a one-way ask with a simple yes / no answer. It should be a collaborative conversation where both parties have an interest in finding a mutually beneficial solution. That means that what your boss or manager has to say is equally important. So, listen carefully to their responses, try to understand what they need, and be empathetic to where they are coming from.

If you don’t get the raise you were hoping for, there are other options you can explore that may be able to get you closer to where you want to be. Think outside the box about alternative benefits or other types of compensation that can round out your compensation package. This could include more vacation time, a better title, more equity, a performanced-based bonus, or an education budget to attend conferences or workshops. Your boss will appreciate your flexibility and willingness to offer creative solutions.

5. BE POSITIVE + STAY OPEN

It’s important that you pay close attention to your attitude and energy during the conversation. By preparing and doing your research, you can go into the negotiation with confidence and a clear understanding of your worth. Put yourself in a positive frame of mind and approach the conversation as a collaborative discussion with the goal of reaching a better outcome for yourself and for the company.

Salary negotiation is a discussion. If you’re not happy with where you ended up, set a follow-up meeting to keep the conversation going. Consider any feedback you were given on your performance and most importantly, try to learn from the experience. If you represent yourself well and keep an open mind, you’ll earn more respect from your boss, regardless of the outcome. Getting comfortable with and good at salary negotiation is an important and valuable skill you’ll be happy to have for life!