We Are Cass

Cass Carrier : Jenny Hill , natural beauty advocate, mountain lover, and Skynyrd fan.

1.  Tell us a little about your current work and/or passion project?

I am celebrating my 10-year anniversary with Beautycounter this year as an environmental health educator and clean beauty advocate. I am more invigorated than ever before to educate, empower and inspire others to make healthier choices in their lives. Beautycounter is a mission-based company located in Santa Monica and a leader in the clean beauty space. We sell skincare, cosmetics, sunscreen & body care for the entire family. We are a certified B Corp (for people, planet, and profit), EWG Verified and do a lot of advocacy work to help change our outdated health protective laws that currently regulate the industry. This includes helping to pass 11 laws in 10 years including the most recent Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA) of 2022, marking the first meaningful update to federal cosmetics laws in more than 84 years. We are also a sustainable company and by 2025 100% of our packaging will be recycled, recyclable, refillable, reusable, or compostable.

2.  What inspires you to do what you do?

After losing my beloved Mom to ovarian cancer, going through infertility, and having a son with special needs (all within 4 years), I realized that these things were not caused by genetics and that it was environmental. I have been on this journey ever since and “when we know better, we do better.”

I knew then that what we ate and put into our bodies played such an important role in living a healthy life and I’ve always been active and exercised daily. However, it wasn’t until I learned about Beautycounter that I realized what an important piece of the puzzle I was missing. Those who know me well, know how much I love to cook and how much pride I take in the healthy, real food I feed my family. However, knowing what we put ON our bodies is just as important as what we put in our bodies. After learning more about the Beautycounter movement, it completely resonated with me, and I felt passionate about educating others. I’ve always loved my products and use anywhere from 12-15 per day, although not once had I read a label or even looked at what ingredients were in my products until now.

For me it has been a slow process this past decade….buy organic, grow my own & shop local, goodbye Clorox & hello non-toxic cleaning products, 8 hours of sleep a must, drink more tea & less coffee, eat real food & less supplements, do more yoga and less cardio, drink ice-tea instead of diet coke, wine & fun only on the weekends, more almond milk & less soy, more water, only toes (and bring my own nontoxic polish) & no finger nails at the salon, hands free or home phone & no cell phone next to my ear, power it all down at night, no nitrates, no plastics & only glass, more plants & less meat, more dark chocolate and less sugar, less tv & more books, less stress & more mindfulness, no dairy, hike or walk each day with a friend (good for the soul) and now....only Beautycounter on my shelves!

3.  Describe a favorite “self-care” routine/moment. I’ve really gotten into baths these past couple of years. In the past, I never took the time to stop and enjoy a bath. Now I look forward to the one night a week I allow myself a long soak in epsom salts and CBD. I took a bath every day when I was sick with Covid and could just visualize the toxins & illness leaving my body! I throw on our AHA mask and read a good book, watch a show, or scroll.

4.  Name a song that revs you up and one that calms you down.

Uplifting: Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell

Pumping up for work out or road trip: Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd

Calming: (the CD that was playing in my dad’s car when he died): Landslide by Fleetwood Mac - Live 1977

5.  What outfit do you feel most authentically you in?

A strapless dress with flip flops. Or what you’ll catch me in most days if you bump into me around town- my workout clothes!

6.  What are the “must-haves” in your bag?

In my Classic Cass, you will always find keys, wallet, Beautycounter Lip Gloss in Brûlée, Ray Ban aviator sunglasses, a brass gold cross that Lila made in Crafts that I carry for good luck, Beautycounter Hyaluronic lip balm and our Dew Skin tinted moisturizer SPF #4.

Off The Cuff: 

Ocean, Mountain or Lake?  I grew up camping & waterskiing on lakes, the ocean feeds my soul, but I plan to move to the mountains and live an active lifestyle in this next decade.

Beer, Wine or Cocktail?  Wine but also love a good clean tequila drink

Butter Or Olive Oil? Olive Oil (by the growler from Amphora)

Tea Or Coffee?  Coffee in AM & iced Tea in afternoon

Pen Or Pencil? Pen it in always!

Nude Or painted lips? Nude (or with a light gloss or balm from Beautycounter)

Newspaper, NPR or no news? NY times in my inbox and Lester Holt in the evening

Rock Or Rap?  Rock (prefer soft or yacht to hard)

Dark Or Milk Chocolate? Darkest possible!

Thank you Jenny for sharing your story.

Jenny forgot to mention that she’s an amazing cook. Be sure to check out what she’s creating in the kitchen here and shop Beautycounter here. I’m a fan.

We Are Cass

Cass Carrier: Amy Miller, artist, spiritual warrior, shop owner and Chihualhua lover.

1.  Tell us a little about your current work and/or passion project?

This is a BIG question for me right now. “Current” work is all about the business I just co-opened with two other amazing women in my life called Goddess Gatherings in Lafayette, CA.  This hybrid retail/gallery/gathering space is born out of 

A) 2 1/2 years of privately “gathering” with a small circle of women to do healing work. 

B) Many years of making: collaging, painting, sculpting, beading…. 

C) My obsession with secondhand finds

D) And finally, my love of a good retail experience~ from the space, the smells, and all the little surprises that I might discover along the way

I’m also working on my final draft of the Peace & Magic Oracle Deck and will be exclusively available at Goddess Gatherings this holiday season. 

 I sifted through about 3 decades worth of collage art and decided to make something personal and universal at the same time.  I love how tools of divination can serve as neutral templates that “animate” with our energy and can provide us with synchronistic guidance (BTW: that’s from Carolyn Myss not me, but I love how accurately she describes what an oracle deck is). 

 2.  What inspires you to do what you do?

The women in my life…. From my daughters to my grandmothers to all the women I know and love in between. To be of support, to dive deep into the emotional watery territory, to listen and HOLD space. It’s a simple yet profoundly healing act of service. And I LOVE it… 

3.  What have you reconnected with during the pandemic? And what have you let go?

I reconnected to plant medicines, circling up with spiritually seeking women, and my collage art. Oh, and my husband! 

I let go of over consuming and this idea that I “need more” in my life. 

4.  Name a song that revs you up and one that calms you down.  

REV up song: Bongo Fury by Shawn Lee’s Ping Pong Orchestra

Calm down song: Anything by Beautiful Chorus 

(And in-between revving up and calming down I love Khruangbin and Babe Rainbow. Perfect for backyard backgammon and cocktails.)

5.  What outfit do you feel most authentically you in? 

High rise flare bottom yoga pants with a matching sport bra and then some kind of vintage Free People fun top.  My hair is almost always clipped up because I never know what to do with it. Plus BIG fun statement earrings. For shoes I rotate from Birkenstocks, flip flops, Uggs if it’s cold.

6.  What are the “must-haves” in your bag (Cass or not)?

 Osmosis superfood lip oil. My business cards. The keys to my new business on a ridiculously large keychain and like three pairs of sunglasses (they somehow accumulate in there).

Off The Cuff: 

Rock Or Rap?  These days, neither…. Calm Whale and my “goddess gatherings” playlist which is basically on repeat. 

Ocean, Mountain Or Lake?  OCEAN MOUNTAIN & LAKE…. Where is this place??? Italy? 

Beer, Wine Or Cocktail? Wine & Cocktails. Wine is like throwing on your favorite pair of blue jeans and a cocktail is like “let’s dress up tonight”  I do love me a “perfect” martini with Grey Whale Gin….

Facetime or Phone time?  Neither. Text please, preferably with emojis.  Make it artsy…

Exercise Nay Or Yah?  OH Yah…. not obsessively though. Like 2-3 times per week. A little yoga, a little weight training. Does walking the dogs count?  Oh, and hiking from time to time. 

Butter Or Olive Oil?  Both!  For sure. 

Tea Or Coffee?  Coffee, like first thing in the morning after letting the dogs out.  Oat milk steamed, some collagen dumped in there, coconut sugar and a single shot of Pellini top espresso.  Is that specific enough? Lol

Pen Or Pencil?  BOTH…as an artist I love all the mark making tools. 

Nude Or painted lips? I love both but am 99% of the time sporting a nude lip. 

Newspaper, NPR or no news?  Lately, no news has been very good news.  

Dark Or Milk Chocolate?  DARK for sure.  (That question I can finally choose one over the other…oh and the coffee question too I suppose)

Thank you Amy for sharing your story.

Be sure to check out the shop, Goddess Gatherings here.

We Are Cass

Cass Carrier: Yukie Fujimoto, creative collaborator, social justice advocator, boot lover and bourbon drinker.

1.  Tell us a little about your current work and/or passion project?

My husband often chides me that I’m “tapped" when it comes to projects because I’m all-in, fire, cauldron and all. I have come to understand that artists have to be entirely and exhaustively committed to fulfill our passion. We lock ourselves up in a room, spread out our medium, work nonstop for weeks and come out ragged. With any project, I become obsessed with a vision. I find collaborators and then we build it. I’ve been working on supporting women-owned businesses, advocating for dance and art education, and raising awareness around social justice issues, in whatever form that takes. I’m finding intersectionality as a place maker, change maker and home maker. Ideally, it’s always with an equity lens and meeting people where they are.   

2.  What inspires you to do what you do?

Kids and youth inspire me. People who are not afraid to be real with me, they keep me on my mission. Lately, I’ve been focused on building trust with a community of folks that see me for who I am. I’ve started to really slow down, listen deeply to what people have to say and pause before taking action; because that’s what I do is take action. I’m trying to figure out ways to practice grace for myself and for each other (as difficult as it can be now) and I believe the arts is the most effective way. Everybody experiences art differently, but a viewer’s feelings like joy, repulsion, discomfort, comfort or anger can initiate conversations in a way that grocery market conversations don’t. In my mind, art “full" conversations allow people to be seen and validated. It reveals more about the viewer than the creator. 

3.  What have you reconnected with during the pandemic? And what have you let go?

House plants 

Shitty humans

4.  Name a song that revs you up and one that calms you down.

LL Cool J “Going Back to Cali”

Prokofiev’s “Romeo and Juliet”

5.  What outfit do you feel most authentically you in?

Tank top and anything with elastic waist bands. Flip side, when I’m forced out of my onesie or comfy, then it’s jeans, t-shirt, boots and a leather jacket or an NFP sweater. 

6.  What are the “must-haves” in your bag (Cass or not)?

Peppermint essential oil (rank breath), hand lotion and under eye cream (no humidity in Lafayette and I’m old), nude lip gloss, red lipstick, mask, phone and notebook (I process best by handwriting notes). 

Off The Cuff: 

Rock Or Rap?  Freestyle

Ocean, Mountain Or Lake?  Ocean

Beer, Wine Or Cocktail? Bourbon, neat

Facetime or Phonetime? Please pick up the phone!

Exercise Nay Or Yah?  Fuck yes

Butter Or Olive Oil? Butter

Tea Or Coffee? Coffee, black

Pen Or Pencil? Both

Nude Or painted lips? Both

Newspaper, NPR or no news? Code Switch and Daily News

Dark Or Milk Chocolate? Both

Thank you Yukie!

We Are Cass

Cass Carrier: Cheryl Hata, realtor extraordinaire, baker and quilter.

1. Tell us a little about your current work and/or passion project.

I genuinely love helping people move. You meet so many interesting people in real estate. Often, I feel like a house-whisperer for sellers who have been in their homes for 20+ years or a matchmaker for first time buyers who are unsure about what they are seeking in a home. Sometimes, I get to be both for a client who is selling their current home and searching for a different home. I would say being a realtor is part therapist, part advisor, part resource guide, and I love when my clients become my friends.

My happy place is preparing and transforming homes to bring to market. It is such a joy to freshen up homes with new paint colors, hardware and lighting, and if the budget allows, flooring. The results are always positive for the seller and the new home owner.

Website: https://loriandcheryl.com/

I also love to create. My creations vary from making modern baby quilts, to mixed-media quilt art, to baking some new exotic bread or cookie. More on that later.

2. What inspires you to do what you do?

I love to help people find their way home. When I see a smile on my clients’ faces and they move into their new home it just warms my soul. And it is extra challenging these days with the price of homes escalating, and emotions running up and down like a rollercoaster. It’s my job to set expectations and keep them informed. Happy clients, happy me.  

3. What have you reconnected with during the pandemic? And what have you let go?

I’ve reconnected with family. I have a very large family in Southern California and I’ve made it a point to call them consistently to keep in touch--especially my mom who lost her husband recently. She’s never lived by herself before. So my sisters and I are making sure she knows she is not alone. 

I discovered making sourdough bread  and now I bake it almost every week. I love experimenting with new types of flours and add-ins to my sourdough starter. My faves are herb/green olive & jalepeno cheddar---trying cherry / dark chocolate with rye next week. 

Let go? I let my hair go gray. 

4.  Name a song that revs you up and one that calms you down.

Up: Anything Prince

Down: “River,” by Joni Mitchell

5.  What outfit do you feel most authentically you in?

I’m me in a black turtleneck, kantha quilt duster, earrings, and my dad’s jade pinky ring

6.  What are the “must-haves” in your bag (Cass or not)?

Glasses, sunglasses, phone, and Cass leather pouch with credit card, lipstick, ear buds, and extra mask

Off The Cuff: 

Rock Or Rap?  Rock

Ocean, Mountain Or Lake?  Ocean/Beach

Beer, Wine Or Cocktail? Wine and cocktail

Facetime or Phonetime? Phone

Exercise Nay Or Yah?  Always

Butter Or Olive Oil? Butter & Olive Oil

Tea Or Coffee?  Tea

Pen Or Pencil? Pen

Nude Or painted lips? Painted

Newspaper, NPR or no news? NPR

Dark Or Milk Chocolate? Dark

BTW Cheryl helped find the perfect house for my family when we moved from Boston to the East Bay. You can follow her house match-making journey here .

Thank you Cheryl.

We Are Cass

Cass Carrier: Kelli Shrader, forever rocker, non-profit starter and awesome momma.

1. Tell us a little about your current work and/or passion project.

Currently, I am a full-time Mom, which I am grateful that I have been able to do during the pandemic. My passion project is raising money for the non-profit my husband and I started, Pimali Foundation  100% of the money we raise goes directly to a hospitality school that our dear friends opened in Thailand giving underprivileged and orphaned youth amazing career opportunities. I am looking forward to being able to have an in-person fundraiser event again soon!    

2. What inspires you to do what you do? 

My boys (12 and 14) are my inspiration! I don't want to miss anything because I will blink and they will be grown and out of the house. The inspiration for raising money for Pimali speaks for itself: helping others in need.  

3. What have you reconnected with during the pandemic? And what have you let go?

Family exercise. We took up tennis during the pandemic. Now we all play, both boys play in tournaments and Holden is trying out for the high school team. 

Let go? Well, I'm still trying to let go of my stretchy pants! 

4. Name a song that revs you up and one that calms you down.

Rev up: “Good Day” by Ice Cube

Calm down: “Feel It All Around” by Washed Out (Portlandia theme song)

5. What outfit do you feel most authentically you in?

Rock and roll t-shirt, bell bottoms, platform shoes, oversized sunnies and my Cassie! 70's are my jam. 

6. What are the “must-haves” in your bag (CASS or not)?

Hand sanitizer, my purse hook so my Cassie doesn't ever touch the floor, sunscreen and mints. 

Off The Cuff: 

Rock Or Rap?  Both! 

Ocean, Mountain Or Lake?  Ocean    

Beer, Wine Or Cocktail? Cocktail. (Dry martini with Armstrong jalapeno stuffed olives, to be specific.)

Facetime or Phonetime? Phonetime. Or Facetime if I've glammed up. 

Exercise Nay Or Yah?  Yah! Helps the mood. 

 Butter Or Olive Oil? Olive Oil (but Kerrigold butter if I am not watching calories)

Tea Or Coffee?  Coffee!

Pen Or Pencil? Pen

Nude Or painted lips? Kopari Lip Glossy

Newspaper, NPR or no news? Currently, no news is good news. 

Dark Or Milk Chocolate? Wine (I prefer to drink my dessert)

Thank you Kelli!

We Are Cass

Cass Carrier: Nanette Marvin, vintage curator, fashion designer and dog lover.

1.  Tell us a little about your current work and/or passion project?

My niece, Cinzia, our friend, Cindy and I are opening a vintage home furnishing and clothing store in Oakland called Cord & Company.  Cinzia and I love vintage and interior design and Cindy had a gorgeous vintage clothing store, Ver Unica on Hayes for over 20 years. 

We are super excited and have been working on the space. It's a gorgeous building that was built in the 1920's on the corner of Telegraph Ave and 23rd St.  

It feels like a good time to start new things. I have always wanted to do this and after this last year, we are just going for it.

2.  What inspires you to do what you do?

I need to be surrounded by cool and interesting things. I am really picky and have expensive tastes but have always had a thrift store mentality and budget. With my brand, Ginger, the dresses I make are simple styles that I want to wear forever and accessorize with my vintage scarves and jewelry. 

I have been in fashion a long time but vintage furniture and interior design is what really blows my skirt up. [Personal note from Christa: OMG I love this line!]

 3.  What have you reconnected with during the pandemic? And what have you let go?

What a year, argh. It still feels really surreal to me. My mother, sisters and I have been taking turns caring for my 101-year-old grandma. It felt so important to do everything we could to keep her out of the hospital and at home.

I let go of the stupid alarm clock and racing around, although it's starting to feel like a race again. 

It feels like my youth packed up and left and my body aged a century in this past year.

4.  Name a song that revs you up and one that calms you down.

So many songs and albums. I like lyrics and songs with stories. 

This Year by the Mountain Goats

Hey you Bastard I'm Still Here by Mark Kozelek

Red Dirt Girl by Emmylou Harris

A Stone by Okkervil River

Any song off the  Ghost of Tom Joad album by Bruce Springsteen 

5.  What outfit do you feel most authentically you in?

I feel most comfortable in a long shirt dress over pants, or coveralls. 

6.  What are the “must-haves” in your bag (Cass or not)?

I love Cass bags and in them I carry around roll-on perfume and some sort of candy.

Off The Cuff: 

Rock Or Rap? Depends on the lyrics  

Ocean, Mountain Or Lake?  Lake

Beer, Wine Or Cocktail?  Wine and Cocktails

Facetime or Phonetime? Phone 100%

Exercise Nay Or Yah? Yah, but not crazy these days

Butter Or Olive Oil? Olive oil

Tea Or Coffee? Coffee 

Pen Or Pencil? Pencil

Nude Or painted lips? Nude

Newspaper or NPR? NPR during week, NY Times on Sunday

Dark Or Milk Chocolate? Really cheap milk chocolate

Warmly,

Nan

https://wearginger.com

G I N G E R - A boutique line of caftans made in California.

We Are Cass

Cass Carrier: Zoë Scheffy, textile enthusiast, master knitter, and disco lover.

1.  Tell us a little about your current work and/or passion project? My passion is textiles - sewing, knitting, embroidery - and I love coming up with my own designs. I studied traditional textiles and handicraft at university, but have taken a more artistic direction with my work. I’ve been designing knitting patterns for over a decade under the name Seaside Knitting Patterns (https://www.seasideknittingpatterns.com/). You can also see my work on Ravelry (https://www.ravelry.com/designers/zoe-scheffy).

 I love the marriage of math and creativity and the act of designing beautiful garments for people to make and wear. And I’m just now embarking on a project I’ve long thought about - a line of sewing patterns in a broad range of sizes. Stay tuned!

2.  What inspires you to do what you do?  My grandmother was a seamstress, my grandfather was a filmmaker, my mother is an artist and art teacher, and my father is a jazz musician. Self-expression, creativity, and mastery were part of my upbringing and inhabited the houses in which I was raised. My family was both my inspiration and my teachers. 

 It’s easy to buy ready-made clothes, but I find satisfaction in using my hands and putting the time and effort into creating garments that are special, unique, and have lovely little details. 

 And, I get to live out my passion for textile arts each day. I’m part of the team at A Verb for Keeping Warm in Oakland, California (https://www.averbforkeepingwarm.com/)

3.  What have you reconnected with during the pandemic? And what have you let go? I’ve reconnected with my kids in a way that I had not expected. They are teenagers, and although this age is a period of breaking away for many, the pandemic has allowed us to see that family and time together are precious and can be a salve for uncertain times. It’s also been a joy and honor as their parent watching them approach the pandemic with a level of maturity and comprehension of the greater good.

My mom is known for saying “expect the unexpected,” and I’ve taken that to heart and tried to let go of my expectations for 2020 and 2021, along with beloved pastimes with grace. I have had to let go of my love of going to the movie theater, wearing lipstick (it’s too hard with a mask), and alone-time. But honestly, these are luxuries, and they’ll have their time again. 

 4.  Name a song that revs you up and one that calms you down.

“You Should be Dancing” by The Bee Gees

“Washed Out” by Great Escape 

5.  What outfit do you feel most authentically you in?I love wearing the clothes I design and knit or sew. They are 100% me, express my personality and aesthetics, and they fit! 

6.  What are the “must-haves” in your bag (Cass or not)? Wallet, keys, phone, sunglasses, a handkerchief, hand sanitizer, and a pen. I don’t have much cause to dress up right now during COVID, but I keep a cute Earth Tu Face Passionfruit & Yuzu lip balm in my bag for small moments of joy. 

OFF THE CUFF:

Rock Or Rap?  Disco

Ocean, Mountain Or Lake?  Ocean

Beer, Wine Or Cocktail?  Cider, preferably dry

Facetime or Phone time? Phone time 

Exercise Nay Or Yah?  Yah. I ride my bike to and from work. 

Butter Or Olive Oil? Olive Oil

Tea Or Coffee?  Coffee

Thank you Zoë!

Be sure to check out Seas Side Knitting here.

We Are Cass

Cass Carrier: Christine Brennan, venture capitalist, neuroscientist, gemologist and soon-to-be Antarctica -adventurer.

1.  Tell us a little about your current work.  I currently make investments into early-stage biotechnology companies with innovative new ways to tackle diseases. With my training in science, this provides a way to feed my curiosity about how diseases occur, how they can be treated or stopped, how we can find medicines faster, and how we can provide healthcare for everyone. 

2.  What inspires you to do what you do?  The question “why?” inspires me. I don’t remember a time when I wasn't "experimenting" - from poking fungus on trees to catching fireflies and wondering not just how they lit up, but why the hell they lit up? I got my first microscope when I was 10 and found the world beyond our natural sight, which led me to wonder even more about how things worked. As I got older, I became more inspired by the need for better healthcare and toyed with the idea of becoming a medical doctor. In college, I found the science labs. What a rush! Now I could ask why biology worked a particular way and then run experiments to try and find answers. I was so intrigued that I pursued my doctorate in neuroscience. Today, I’m still inspired by “why?” but my curiosity extends beyond science and I am asking why there isn’t more diversity and why society isn’t equitable? I’m working to find ways to contribute to make changes that can benefit everyone. 

3.  What is something you’d like to learn? One of my hobbies is photography and I love learning more about light, exposure, and composition -- capturing a picture that tells a story.  

4.  If you could travel right now, where would you go? Antarctica!  We had to postpone our trip scheduled for 2020 but we’re hopeful to get there in 2021.

5.  What outfit do you feel most authentically you in?  I like wearing something comfortable, usually jeans and a shirt but I’m a huge gem/jewelry fan so I never feel fully dressed unless I am wearing a necklace, earrings, and rings - at a minimum. 

6.  What are the “must-haves” in your bag (Cass or not)?

My must-haves include my phone, wallet, pen, nail file, tissues, and now during the pandemic an extra mask, sanitizing lotion and disposable gloves. Yet somehow my bag fills up with eyeglass cases, a small cosmetic bag and various earbuds for my phone, iPad, and computer.

Off The Cuff: 

Rock Or Rap?  Rock

Ocean, Mountain Or Lake?  Mountain

Beer, Wine Or Cocktail? Cocktail

Exercise Nay Or Yah?  Yah

Butter Or Olive Oil?  Olive Oil

Tea Or Coffee?  Coffee

Pen Or Pencil?  Pen

Nude Or painted lips?  Painted

Reality Show Or Documentary?  Documentary

Dark Or Milk Chocolate? Milk Chocolate 

Thank you Christine!

We Are Cass

Cass Carrier: Amanda Walter, founder of Walter Communications, lover of architecture, Stevie Nicks and K-9 companions.

1.  Tell us a little about your current work. I am a communication strategist and writer for architects. I love my work because great design and people who use their work to make the world a better and more enjoyable place inspire me. I feel incredibly fortunate to get to learn about the thinking and research that shapes my clients’ work, which includes everything from renovated and reused industrial factories to urban waterfront parks. Through their projects, I am entrenched in the leading thinking on topics like how the environment supports learning, how the ways we build cities and buildings can address climate change and of course gorgeous images, materials and settings. 

2.  As a mother of 2 with her own company, how have you best managed work + kids at home.  I’ve had my business for a decade now and there hasn’t been another time when I’ve been more grateful for the flexibility it affords me. I am grateful that I can adjust my client load with relative ease, which has been essential in staying centered as I help my kids take on distance learning. 

3.  As a communications specialist what message do you think is most important for a small business to convey during this time? Community is something we all crave as we spend more time in our homes and less time supporting our local shops and restaurants. Small businesses needed to look closely at who is their community and how can we foster connection with them in this digitally reliant time. Community is reciprocal, so we are all in this together and we all need to help one another out.

4.  Who are a few women that inspire you? Jeanne Gang: She’s a leader in a male dominated field, but her architecture style is all her own. She makes skyscrapers sexy, and sensuous. Her innovative designs are thoroughly researched and tested. In fact her research revealed the shocking number of bird deaths are caused by reflective glass in buildings. I’m fascinated by her many approaches to making her structures bird safe. I recently learned that she keeps bird nests in her office to remind her of the importance of simplicity, warmth and comfort when designing spaces for people. One of her buildings was recently completed in San Francisco. I walk past it every time I visit one of my clients -- it’s my favorite bit of eye candy on my commute.

Michelle Obama: The former First Lady is a class act. She is an example worth following as a mother and a leader. I enjoy listening to her podcast on walks—her genuine interest in people and leaving the world better than she found it is evident in each episode. She seems like someone I’d enjoy as a friend.

Stevie Nicks: I love her voice and her strong sense of self. 

5.  What outfit do you feel most authentically you in and has it changed since the pandemic.  A well accessorized casual shift dress—preferably with pockets. 

6.  How are you keeping up with “self care” and what are a few things that rejuvenate you?  Meditation: I’ve put meditation back at the top of my priority list. When I start my day with meditation, I’m more resilient to whatever comes my way. 

Hiking: When I make the time, hiking always helps me shed my worries about the world. Unfortunately, I’m much more consistent about getting out there when I go with a friend and my hiking buddy recently moved away. My K-9 companions will have to suffice.

Cooking: I eat so much healthier when I cook at home. It is also a creative outlet for me.

7.  What are the “must-haves” in your bag (Cass or not)? My Cass Insider Pouch: it acts as my wallet and holds my pen and Clinique black-honey lip-gloss—all the essentials. When the Clutch is too much, my pouch does the job as a wristlet. My Clutch frequently doubles as my laptop bag and carries whatever purchase I’ve just made. I love the scale of the Cass Clutch. It holds so much!

Off The Cuff:

Rock Or Rap?  Rock

Ocean, Mountain Or Lake?  Mountains

Beer, Wine Or Cocktail?  Wine

Exercise Nay Or Yah?   Yah!

Butter Or Olive Oil?  Butter

Tea Or Coffee?  Coffee

Pen Or Pencil? Pen, specifically the Zebra ball point F-301

Nude Or painted lips?  Nude

Reality Show Or Documentary?  Documentary

Dark Or Milk Chocolate?  Dark

Listen to a recent Podcast featuring Amanda and be sure to check out her communications company here and follow her on Twitter here.

We Are Cass

Cass Carrier: Regina Connell, founder of The Joss Collective, lover of design, words, anything print and serendipities.

1.  Tell us a little about your current work. I have a Brand Experience Strategy/Design firm called CollectiveWork (focusing on the retail, luxury, and hospitality industries)  and also run a membership community called The Joss Collective, for seasoned creatives creating incredible legacies. As you can tell, I’m all about “collectivity”!

3.  What inspires you to do what you do? Such a BIG question! I think in all I’m doing it’s about supporting people in being seen, heard, and honored. That’s what The Joss is about, and it’s a theme that runs through my consulting work. 

3.  What’s a favorite travel destination?  London. Always. 

5.  What outfit do you feel most authentically you in? SO hard. It’s either a long black dress (with a long black cashmere sweater on top) and a pair of converse sneaks, or black skinnies under a cool jacket and Moto boots. 

6.  You have a classic Cass and a Cassie.  Which one is your go to? Probably one of my TWO Cassies. Genius sizing and style. My classic Cass is my work bag. Either way,  they’re both so good looking and perfect ergonomically. It also helps that I always receive so many complements that my partner accuses me of paying people to get them. I just smile smugly.

7.  What are the “must-haves” in your bag (Cass or not) ? Wallet; a Cass Insider pouch with Mandy Aftel’s solid perfume in Oud Louban; Ilia multi-stick in At Last; Blackwing pencil; Ritual CBD drops for when I’m over caffeinated; iPhone; readers. And when I’m in the mood, my Cassie will even house my Olympus OM-D.  I don’t travel light, never learned that trick. 

Off The Cuff: 

Rock Or Rap?  Rock. 

Ocean, Mountain Or Lake?  Ocean. 

Beer, Wine Or Cocktail? COCKTAIL!

Exercise Nay Or Yah?  Ugh. Yah but only ‘coz one must.

Butter Or Olive Oil? Why choose? 

Tea Or Coffee?  Tea.

Pen Or Pencil? Pencil.

Nude Or painted lips? Painted nude.

Reality Show Or Documentary?  Doc (but give me a great scripted series ANYDAY).

Dark Or Milk Chocolate? Milk! All my chocolate maker friends will hate me but I have a totally lowbrow weakness for Cadbury chocolate! 

Check out + follow Regina’s personal social media account here and the Joss Collective here.