Lets hear a big Cheers! for International Women's Day 🥂⁠ But, lets be real, we celebrate each other every day!
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Throughout this month especially, we highlight our women-owned business members; learning more about how they started, what they are passionate about, and what they believe in for the future. And then, ending with an awesome giveaway! 🎁 Support local, support each other, get inspired, and never give up on your dreams!⁠

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Nicole Novena •⁠⁠ Clay & Craft

1. How long have you been working in your career / been in business?

I've been doing ceramics for 20+ years. It was a lifelong passion and hobby that slowly shifted into a small business in 2016. And, in 2019 I opened our part studio/part store.

2. Has your business always been in Leucadia? If not, where before?

In 2016 I was working from my home studio in Cardiff. In 2019, I opened our part store/part studio in Leucadia. We were open for 4 months and then the pandemic hit so it has been a wild first year. We're beyond thankful for a supportive and like-minded creative community to help us navigate this past year and keep us going!

3. What women have inspired you throughout your life/career?

My mother...she was so tough and beyond hardworking.

4. If you could learn anything, what would it be and why?

Surfing but I'm scared of the ocean =).

5. Are there any assumptions about women that you would like to change?

That competition and comparisons amongst women are bad. If we all looked at each others accomplishments as motivation and inspiration we'd all grow together. I love surrounding myself around others that push me to be a better mom, wife, business owner and artist.

6. Is there anything you think may be a challenge for the women in the generation after you?

Mothers will always struggle with work/life balance. This past year has shown that...I believe over 2 million left the workforce in 2020. When something has to give it's often a mother's personal or professional goals that are put on hold or met a slower pace in order to be there for our families. I don't think that will change because of social norms, income inequalities and we're just wired to nurture others.

7. What is your favorite thing about being a woman?

That we can be tough and strong yet soft and tender.

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Alexa Brachvogel •⁠⁠ Blüm Agency

1. How long have you been working in your career / been in business?

I've owned this business for about 2 and a half years, and before starting Blüm Agency I worked for start-ups around San Diego in marketing & account management.

2. Has your business always been in Leucadia? If not, where before?

Blüm Agency HQ has always been in Encinitas! It started in a 1 bedroom apartment a few blocks from Moonlight, and slowly migrated north into the heart of Leucadia. One of the best parts of this business has been getting to meet clients in person at favorite spots like Coffee Coffee & Solterra Winery. While in-person meetings are currently on pause due to COVID, clients and I still get to know each other virtually over the course of our project.

3. What women have inspired you throughout your life/career?

So many incredible women have inspired me, from family members to celebrities and most recently, my clients. I love working with women-owned businesses and seeing the breadth and depth of what women are capable of (hint: it's everything). I'm particularly inspired by working mamas who help their kids thrive while building a business at the same time.

4. If you could learn anything, what would it be and why?

This is a great question after having ample time to learn something new over the past year! During quarantine, I've learned how to bake bread (focaccia & french), make plant-based dyes, play ukulele & guitar, and cross stitch. I'm currently learning how to record music and am working on a screenplay. Because the vast majority of my work is digital, I love learning anything tactile and tangible. Next on the list: learning how to make my own clothes. It's perfect timing, really, because no one will be able to see my frankenstein creations until they've become a bit more symmetrical.

5. Are there any assumptions about women that you would like to change?

Everyone has their own priorities and timing, and I think we need to stop asking women when they're going to get married. It implies an inherent worth in a "married woman" as opposed to a "single woman," and there's so much to celebrate in either stage of life. The question puts a lot of pressure on a standardized outcome, and assumes that every woman wants the same thing, which is not the case.

6. Is there anything you think may be a challenge for the women in the generation after you?

I'm hopeful that there will be fewer and fewer challenges for the generations of women after mine! I think affordable childcare options, education, and paid maternity leave need to be re-examined, but I foresee the biggest challenge being intersectional policy. Women everywhere need to be heard in order for policies to be fair, and it can be challenging to give everyone fair access when their "microphones" aren't the same size to begin with.

7. What is your favorite thing about being a woman?

I love being in community with other women / friends / business owners, and supporting each other through whatever crazy turns life takes.

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Heidi Ledger •⁠⁠ Thread Spun

1. How long have you been working in your career / been in business?

I started Thread Spun in 2016 as a brand that hired women resettled as refugees to create handmade surfboard bags using artisan- and sustainably-produced textiles. We've obviously changed a lot since then, and have been operating primarily as a retail store since 2018.

2. Has your business always been in Leucadia? If not, where before?

We've always been in Leucadia. This is our home town, where we live and raise our kids, and it is important to me to be located here in our community. When we were primarily a brand I would travel to El Cajon and City Heights, where the majority of our artisans lived.

3. What women have inspired you throughout your life/career?

My friends. I am so lucky to have strong, entrepreneurial women in my life that I am lucky enough to count as friends. My friend Meghan Koll, for example, started her own ice cream company during the pandemic called Little Fox. Despite having two young kids and no childcare, she picked up making ice cream as a hobby and has turned it into a little window in our building with a speakeasy vibe serving up delicious ice cream tacos. She's been selling out consistently and staying up all night after parenting all day to make all of the tacos herself. This type of hustle and perseverance inspires me every day.

4. If you could learn anything, what would it be and why?

Other languages, starting with Spanish. I can speak Spanish, but I am not fluent, and I would love to be. Communicating with diverse people and learning more about other cultures is my passion, and speaking other languages would allow me to do this more easily. I picked up a little Arabic when I worked in refugee resettlement and it is just the most beautiful language. Even making a tiny effort to engage with others in their own language means so much.

5. Are there any assumptions about women that you would like to change?

Haha. Where do I start? I think the last year has made a lot of us more aware of the ugly stereotypes surrounding women and individuals belonging to historically marginalized groups. As a white woman, I haven't experienced the level of bias that Black women and women of color experience every day. That said, I would start with stereotypes like that of the "angry Black woman" or the "submissive Asian woman". As for my personal experience, I would like to do away with the notion that being a more sensitive and emotional person makes me weaker. Empathy and connection are the future.

6. Is there anything you think may be a challenge for the women in the generation after you?

Unfortunately, I think women of color will continue to experience racism, bias and persecution. I am hopeful that women like my two daughters will grow up and use their privilege to protect and support all women. I think all women will continue to be challenged to be treated equally in the workplace, to be recognized for their work as mothers and caregivers, to be represented in all aspects of society, but I am hopeful.

7. What is your favorite thing about being a woman?

My favorite thing about being a woman/identifying as a woman is the ability to easily tap into the superconnection of other women. We are our own phenomenon, whether or not it is realized quite yet.

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Jaki Yermian • JY Design Interiors

1. How long have you been working in your career / been in business?

I’ve been in the interior design industry for 8 years, and I’ve had my own company for 5 years!

2. Has your business always been in Leucadia? If not, where before?

JY Design Interiors started from my home office (my dining table) in La Costa. It took a lot of coffee, tears and sleepless nights to make it to our office in Leucadia.

3. What women have inspired you throughout your life/career?

My grandmother; she has been the one at the end of the phone on my best and worst days. She has taught me how to be strong, but empathetic. To work hard, but enjoy life.

Everyone has a crowd of people boosting them up behind the scenes. My grandmother has been mine from day one!

4. If you could learn anything, what would it be and why

I’d learn to COOK! Because I’m hungry and I can barely make toast.

5. Are there any assumptions about women that you would like to change? Why?

That women lack strength. Some of the strongest most influential people in my life are women.

6. Is there anything you think may be a challenge for the women in the generation after you?

I hope the women in the generation after me doesn’t face the challenges I have in both my career and personal life. I hope that they are treated with equal respect and opportunity.

7. What is your favorite thing about being a woman?

Being a woman is my identity, I don’t favor any part in particular about my gender!

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Letha Sandison • Four Moons Spa

1. How long have you been working in your career / been in business?

We’ve been in business for four years.

2. Has your business always been in Leucadia? If not, where before?

Yes, we have always been in Leucadia!

3. What women have inspired you throughout your life/career?

The list of inspiring women is so long! I had the great fortune of having several amazing bosses who were also true mentors and guides for me as a young professional. It is a game changer to have a boss that is truly invested in your development as an individual and helps you to develop professionally. It is something I’ve never forgotten and always been grateful for and try to emulate. Of course the list of known women is long: Ruth Bader-Ginsburg, Eleanor Roosevelt, Jane Goodall, Malala Yousafzai, Gloria Steinem and Oprah to name but a few. There are SO many inspiring women to look to!

4. If you could learn anything, what would it be and why?

I would learn multiple languages. I love to travel and explore other cultures around the world. I think speaking other languages would be a wonderful way to help connect and deepen my understanding.

5. Are there any assumptions about women that you would like to change?

Yes! There are far too many assumptions made about women. I would love to change the assumption that women are “too emotional” or “soft” to be in leadership roles. Our strength is our emotional intelligence and compassion.

6. Is there anything you think may be a challenge for the women in the generation after you?

With the world changing so rapidly and so many things in a state of flux (climate, political structures, financial systems and how people live and work), it is difficult to know what future generations will be faced with but it seems certain that there will be significant challenges to overcome. I would say that if they have an open and curious mind and heart that will go a long way to helping them meet them.

7. What is your favorite thing about being a woman?

My favorite thing about being a woman is the bond that we have with other women. There is so much beauty and power in female friendships!

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Bridget Connelly • Luna Bay Booch

1. How long have you been working in your career / been in business?

2.5 years in my career, 1.5 years in business!

2. Has your business always been in Leucadia? If not, where before?

Luna Bay started in 2019 in Chicago and expanded to San Diego at the start of last year which is where I live! In Leucadia.

3. What women have inspired you throughout your life/career?

Women that have inspired me are my mother and grandmother. They are strong willed women who have forged their own ways even when the obstacles were against them. They helped me believe that anything is possible and to have grit and strength, even and especially in the hard times. They have empowered me to have a voice and to use it for good, and to always speak my truth.

4. If you could learn anything, what would it be and why?

Anything I am curious about I usually try to figure out how to do it, even if I fail or am not good at it, at least I know I tried and learned something along the way. However I wish I was musically talented because the arts/creative outlets are passions of mine.

5. Are there any assumptions about women that you would like to change? Why?

I'm not sure if there are general assumptions, but I hope to see more equality in the workplace and more women in positions of leadership. There is a massive discrepancy in fundraising for women run companies and VC funds by women. I hope to see a change in this with women being able to access the proper funding to lead and grow their businesses, and for women to lead these.

6. Is there anything you think may be a challenge for the women in the generation after you?

Getting funding for women run companies, but we are forging the way to make the change.

7. What is your favorite thing about being a woman?

Being a woman is a divine gift. I love leaning into my femininity more as I mature, and celebrating our bodies and inner beauty. I am grateful to feel empowered to be vulnerable and honest. I believe it makes me a stronger leader and hope more men feel encouraged to do so. It's so important!

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Karen Chambers • Coffee Coffee

1. How long have you been working in your career / been in business?

We opened the café in 2011

2. Has your business always been in Leucadia? If not, where before?

Yes, always in Leucadia

3. What women (if any) have inspired you throughout your life/career?

Definitely my mother. She started as a secretary out of college for a large company back when women didn’t have a lot of career choices and moved all the way up to CFO while being a single mother for much of it. She taught me the value of hard work and to always be in a position to take care of myself financially and not just rely on others.

4. If you could learn anything, what would it be and why?

I would love to learn Spanish which would help me communicate better.

5. Are there any assumptions about women that you would like to change?

I don’t love the double standard when it comes to being a strong woman. It is often looked at as a negative. I think many women hold back so they won’t come across as aggressive and in doing so don’t always say what they want or need to. Women can be very effective leaders and excellent negotiators. Strong does not equal bitchy.

6. Is there anything you think may be a challenge for the women in the generation after you?

I am impressed by a lot of the women I see in the next generation. Many seem so innovative and confident and some have made careers for themselves that didn’t even exist before. However, I think they will have some of the same challenges women of my generation often have and that is knowing their worth, advocating for themselves and trying to balance (or juggle) all the different areas and of their lives.

7. What is your favorite thing about being a woman?

That’s a hard question! I love the friendships I have with other women. We can talk about anything , be vulnerable without feeling judgement and we laugh a lot.

Nicole Greer • Tribe Salon Studios

1. How long have you been working in your career / been in business?

10 years in this career and I have owned the salon for 2 years.

2. Has your business always been in Leucadia? If not, where before?

Yes, always in Leucadia!

3. What women have inspired you throughout your life/career?

My mom has been my number one inspiration in life. She has always been the most positive person who has been an extremely hard worker her entire life. The women I work with every single day inspire me with their hard work and creativity. Being a hairstylist is a pretty tough job as it is, and after this past year it is amazing to see these women push through and persevere.

4. If you could learn anything, what would it be and why?

Wow, that kind of a tough question. I don't know that I could narrow it down, but definitely anything that helps improve me as a person, physically, mentally, emotionally. I am constantly learning new things about myself and others around me and ultimately, at the end of the day to treat myself and others with love and respect... and how to obtain a super power that allows me to change all humans in to dogs :P

5. Are there any assumptions about women that you would like to change?

That we are weaker than men. We can do anything.

6. Is there anything you think may be a challenge for the women in the generation after you?

Learning to love themselves for who they are and be damn proud of themselves. I think that social media puts a serious pressure on young women to look and act a certain way.

7. What is your favorite thing about being a woman?

Being able to pave the way for other women. I love being able to show my nieces that they can do anything and to live life with integrity, honesty, love and respect.

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Debi McCarver • Leucadia Floral & Plant

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1. How long have you been working in your career / been in business?

I started in 1981 with Nursery Land Garden Centers (now Armstrong Garden Center). My journey has taken me through many aspects of the nursery and Floral trade.

2. Has your business always been in Leucadia? If not, where before?

My shop was first started by Charlotte Garret in the 70’S and I was so lucky to have known her, such a inspiration! Fast forward to 2005 & I was able to restart the floral department.....the rest is still growing!

3. What women have inspired you throughout your life/career?

My mom’s always been my biggest inspiration.

4. If you could learn anything, what would it be and why?

I’ve always wanted to be a better baker!

5. Are there any assumptions about women that you would like to change?

That we are weaker than men. We can do anything.

6. What is your favorite thing about being a woman?

That WE can do anything we put our minds to... Local business is the heart of a strong community!

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