Life & Business: Nilea Alexander of Cafe Rue Dix By: Sabrina Smelko

Figuring out exactly what you want to do when you posses a variety passions is difficult (and something I personally struggle with. Sometimes, the best way to find out what you really want to do is to try many things and see what you naturally come back to. After over 15 years of working in retail, starting various design businesses, and selling vintage pieces at flea markets, Nilea Alexander‘s destiny began revealing itself. Shortly after she married her husband, Lamine, they both decided to make a career leap and open a cafe that fuses French and Senegalese food (inspired by Lamine’s native heritage to Senegal, West Africa). In 2013, Cafe Rue Dix opened its doors to the people of Crown Heights, Brooklyn, offering a twist on traditional West African food with a hint of French influence. More than a restaurant, Cafe Rue Dix embodies everything Nilea and Lamine enjoy, right down to the eclectic decor for which we have Nilea and her on-going love for design to thank. After a year in business, her inclination for creating an experience took a more serious form. During the winter of 2014, the Rue Dix name expanded and Marche Rue Dix, was born, a retail shop offering everything from vintage clothing to travel gear to artisan home goods. There’s no saying what’s next for Nilea and Lamine, but one thing is for sure: if it’s rooted in something they love it, they’ll make it happen. Today, we’re thrilled to chat with Nilea about their two businesses, the value of ideas, the importance of hiring well, and how fostering a connection between product and people is always a key ingredient to any successful business. –Sabrina

Why did you decide to start your own business, versus work for someone else?

I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit. When you feel that there is a need for something because it’s missing in the market, you create it! That’s what it’s all about. I have also worked retail for over half my life, so I understand that people all just want the same thing no matter what the market (be it a restaurant, retail, service), and that’s simply ensuring a connection between the product and the person selling it. Being able to create that environment in a cafe and retail space in my own neighborhood just felt natural and super exciting for me.

Can you remember when you first learned about your field of work? How did you discover what it was and how you knew it was what you wanted to do?

I have always enjoyed good food and good clothing — and mix in a bit of good conversation and that’s what makes my world go round. My first job was in a clothing store in a mall, and from there I developed a career in retail. Once I met my husband, I expanded my knowledge into the restaurant industry. Overall, I enjoy hosting and providing an experience for people. I love every bit about it! It’s truly what I believe I am meant to be doing.

 

What was the best piece of business advice you were given when you were starting off?

My Dad (who has an accounting background) has always been a good sounding board for me when it comes to business. I think the thing that has helped me the most is his advice to save money and spend it only on the things that really matter to you. My ideas really matter to me and I am a risk taker, so I’ve learned to always invest in my ideas.
What was the most difficult part of starting your business?

In reality, what I actually enjoyed doing happened to make up only 25% of my time, with the other 75% going to paperwork, permits, insurance, taxes, blah blah blah! But once you get a system down, it’s not so bad. It becomes more like 60:40.
Can you name the biggest lesson you’ve learned in running a business?

Hire well! You are only as good as the people that represent you. A person with the wrong idea of what your message is will pass that on the customer. Everything can go down hill fast when your vision is represented wrong.

Can you name a moment of failure in your business experiences that you learned from or that helped you improve your business?

When building the cafe, I did not do enough homework before we started. We dove right in and the construction process was a nightmare. However, I learned a lot. It felt like a moment of failure at the time, but it helped me so much when I opened my second business, Marche Rue Dix.

 

If you were magically given three more hours per day, what would you do with them?

Sleep, hang out with my husband, and maybe save up a little bit of those magical three hours and put them together for an additional vacation or two!
What has been the biggest sacrifice you’ve made in starting your business?

Money and time.

 

Can you name your greatest success (or something you’re most proud of) in your business experiences?

That [the businesses] are mine. From the ground up, we did it ourselves. We did not have an investors besides ourselves. We envisioned it and we made it happen. That’s still magical to me each time that I think about it.

 

What business books/resources (if any) would you recommend to someone starting a creative business of their own?

I don’t have many books, but talking to other business owners is invaluable. Also, in New York specifically, the Small Business Association was extremely helpful to us.

Has failing at something or quitting ever lead to success for you? Walk us through that.

Of course! The biggest experience that felt like a failure was building the restaurant. It’s like we hit roadblock after roadblock and it felt never ending, but it did have an end and there was light at the end of the tunnel. I learned so much about what not to do ever again. These are lessons that four years of business school could not prepare me for. That experience was invaluable and I am actually so grateful for it.

 

In your opinion, what are the top three things someone should consider before starting their own business?

The market, yesterday, today, and tomorrow. How has it evolved? Where is it now? How will it continue to evolve and can you evolve with it?

 

What’s the first app, website or thing you open/do in the morning?

Currently, I am 6 months pregnant so for the past 6 months it’s been my pregnancy app! But right after that it’s just my email to be honest. Nothing special. The first thing that I do when I wake up is to give thanks for all that I have in that moment — There is no app for that!

 

What’s the hardest thing about being your own boss that isn’t obvious? (it can be the paperwork, negotiating with clients etc.)

Knowing when to stop! For my business, I can be limitless. I have learned over the years to put myself and my sanity first, with my business coming in at a very close second place.

 Images from Cafe Rue Dix’s Instagram.

via Design*Sponge http://ift.tt/1D9f7Oc From Sabrina Smelko

Life & Business: Daniel Friedman of Bindle & Keep By: Sabrina Smelko

Daniel Friedman is the owner and founder of Bindle & Keep, which offers bespoke, fitted, androgynous suits. Each suit is one-of-a-kind and meticulously tailored, but still comfortable enough to wear all day and night. With a name that derives from the concept of a bindlestick — which belongs to a traveller, seeking new frontiers — and keep — reminding us of home — Daniel seeks to break new ground in the fashion industry to deliver give his clients exactly what they’re looking for. As someone who opts for custom clothing himself, Daniel’s business was not only birthed out of natural interests and passions, but out of necessity: after suddenly losing the ability to read and write due to undiagnosed Lyme disease, Daniel realized self-employment was his destiny, and has since paved a path towards a future that “fits as well [his] suits.” Today, Daniel is joining us to answer some questions about the twists and turns he’s encountered in his business and personal life, an upcoming HBO documentary produced by Lena Dunham about his company, and how authenticity and fostering a niche has led to success. –Sabrina

Photo of Daniel by Seze Devres

Why did you decide to start your own business?

It’s funny because it never felt like a decision to me; I started Bindle & Keep at a point in my life where I either had to change or die, basically. I studied architecture in school, and in the last year of my second post-graduate degree, I suddenly lost my ability to read and write. I know it sounds ridiculous, but all those intrinsic skills I’d spent the first half of my life refining and honing just up and vanished. Even the most rudimentary sentences and phrases were suddenly baffling; emails that once took only seconds to fire off became embarrassing labors that could easily eat up the balance of an afternoon. (It would be years before a client rightly suggested my disability was due to a buildup of neurotoxins from late stage, undiagnosed Lyme disease.)

On the surface, I started this company because I’m short in stature and have always preferred the fit of custom clothing. At some level, I’d always wondered what I could come up with on my own. When I effectively lost my ability to read and became, in a sense, unemployable, it became clear that I’d have to create my own work.

When you first decided to start your own business, how did you define what your business would be?

The business took about a year to formulate and we launched to friends and family August of 2011. I’d initially defined Bindle & Keep as a company supplying high quality, well-fitted, affordable suits and shirts for young men and women in the spring of their professional careers. But as time went on, we expanded our concept of what a suit could mean to people and how it could fit into their lives. In addition to refining the complex technical aspects of manufacturing androgynous, gender-blind suits, I had to step away from thinking of these garments as specifically business-oriented and reevaluate what needs were — or were not — being met by the industry at large.

In retrospect, it seems so obvious: regardless of gender, orientation, or employment, the occasions for which one might need a suit are bound to be momentous in one way or another. This means that you have to feel that your garments reflect or speak to who you are in this world. Whether it’s a business meeting, summer wedding, or red carpet walk, it’s our job to make sure that our clients feel that their truest selves are being represented.

Above images: Photography by Ryan Brenizer
What was the most difficult part of starting your business?

Money. Specifically, not enough of it. We started this company with $,1500 and, in order to grow, everything had to be grassroots. We didn’t always have a fancy Brooklyn showroom with a bunch of dedicated employees; For the first two years I was ironing suits in my bedroom and gluing as many Bindle & Keep labels onto hangers as I could before running out to visit clients.

Given our limited funds, we had to be as clever and innovative as possible to get the show up and running. Our website, photography, and even our accounting was all accomplished via trade — which turned out be a real blessing in disguise. The relationships we built through those collaborations are so precious and meaningful to me that I’m almost glad that we didn’t just throw money at the problem.

Surviving our initial incarnation in general was tough. That old adage that it takes three years, from starting a business to finally realizing a profit, is so true. It’s not for the faint of heart — not only on account of all the daunting grunt work, but because the whole venture could have tanked at almost any time, for reasons outside of our control or understanding. It feels dangerous because it is! By the time we cleared those first three years we’d evolved so much through trial and error that it felt almost like a different company — which was, and is, a good thing.

Above Image: Photography by Caitlin Mitchell
Can you name the biggest lesson you’ve learned in running a business?

Be open. Open to new opportunities, new markets, new everything. Folks are always congratulating us on our foresight in carving out a sustainable niche in a saturated market, but the truth is we didn’t plan any of this.

We hired and trained Rae Tutera who identifies as trans masculine. She began posting about her work with Bindle & Keep on her blog, The Handsome Butch, which led to an increase in customers from LGBTQ communities seeking gender neutral suits in a warm and accepting retail environment.

We made a ton of costly fitting mistakes early in the process, but remained dedicated to serving every market and making sure that our suits reflect everyone’s personal and unique aesthetic.

What was the best piece of business advice you were given when you were starting off?

I think it was our 30th suit: I’d driven most of the night from Brooklyn to Boston to meet a client who had ordered a super fancy suit. It wasn’t until I was seated in his living room that I noticed in horror that his much anticipated 2-button accidentally came out as a 3-button. Trivial as it sounds, 2 and 3 button suits are very different in style and fit. He explained to me mistakes are part and parcel of any business and that how we react to those mistakes will determine our future and reveal our character. I ended up driving back up three weeks late to redeliver the new, correctly-made suit, and, in the process, demonstrated his value to us.

Above Image: Photography by Bill Phelps

Can you name a moment of failure in your business experiences?

I can’t say that we’ve failed per se, but there were a ton of stumbling blocks early on. In the beginning, you have to wear so many different hats and perform such a multitude of jobs that it’s impossible to maintain a perfect record — especially if you have to teach yourself at least half of those jobs.

In short, mistakes were made and we learned from them. Because everything can become frenetic in a start-up, you have to insist that some small corner of yourself remains detached and rationally oriented toward the big picture or you’ll end up going ass-over-tea-kettle at every bump in the road.

What has been the biggest sacrifice you’ve made in starting your business?

Youth? Beauty? When it’s your company you have to water it with your own life’s blood — and that’s not always conducive to longterm relationships, a steady diet, or regular exercise. It’s taken me a long time to regain some semblance of a balanced approach to my time, and I’ve certainly lost some important personal and business relationships along the way.

Can you name your greatest success in your business experiences?

I remember the feeling of selling that first suit; that someone was willing to pay money for something that I created was exhilarating. Then I paid the rent with that money and felt even better. Then we worked with Gilt Group, grew our staff, and landed an HBO documentary (which never ceases to feel like a hallucination).

Now we’re growing nationally and I feel this immense pride, but it’s also humbling because this became bigger than me. Hell, maybe it was much bigger than me this whole time and I’m just now able to lift my head and really see that.

What business books/resources (if any) would you recommend to someone starting a creative business of their own?

You might think these are silly because they’re kind of self-help books, but there are two that stand out most for me: How to Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill and Pour your Heart into it One Cup at a Time by Howard Shultz. Hill demonstrates how what can easily be perceived as an impossible challenge can open new, unforeseen opportunities — which is exactly what we did. That you don’t have to be an expert at something right away is something I learned from Howard Shultz, the genius who grew Starbucks from a small Seattle coffee shop to what it is today. Experience really is the best teacher and sometimes the fastest way to learn is just diving in.

In your opinion, what are the top three things someone should consider before starting their own business?

Oh, man. To say only three might be misleading because there are just so many facets to starting a business. If I may give one, though, I’d say the most important component is passion, because it will drive you through the toughest of scenarios. It’s as integral to success as heat is to cooking. We’ve been through countless challenges and that internal drive kept me (and the team) from the edge of quitting so many times. If starting a business were easy everyone would do it. So think of the myriad challenges you’ll face as a kind of barrier to entry — which helps reduce your potential competition.

 

via Design*Sponge http://ift.tt/1h35nLJ From Sabrina Smelko

24 Hours in Beaune, France By: Sabrina Smelko

I have always pined to visit France (who doesn’t dream about spending a day there?), and today we get a taste of that through the eyes of mother and daughter, Marjorie Taylor and Kendall Smith Franchini, of The Cook’s Atelier. Located in historic and charming Beaune, the wine capital of Burgundy, Marjorie and Kendall combine their passions for food, wine and French lifestyle, offering an epicurean centre, a wine shop, and cooking classes that bridge the gap between farmer and cook. Rooted in history, authenticity, family, and tradition, Beaune continues to make its mark on the map with people flocking from all over the world to enjoy its world-famous wineries and more. Centred around arguably some of the greatest things in life — seasonal food, wine, local markets, and flowers — today’s guide from Marjorie and Kendall features a taste (quite literally) of what beautiful Beaune has to offer through the lens of their business, all in support of small and local. –Sabrina

Photography by Emily Johnston and The Cook’s Atelier

Burgundy is the heart and soul of France. It is so rich in history, traditions, and terroir. Having lived in various other parts of France, I still find Burgundy one of the most beautiful and authentic regions. It’s located about 2 1/2 hours from Paris via high-speed train. Beaune itself is one of the most charming towns with a population of only 25,000 people. It is small, yet very international as many people visit to explore one of the greatest wine regions in the world. Beaune is surrounded by beautiful countryside and is home to some of the world’s most famous vineyards.

We love Beaune especially because it is still very real. We are so lucky to be able to find and work with real farmers who love what they do. We refer to our winemakers here as “farmers who just happen to grow grapes.” They are truly passionate. Wine-making is taken very seriously here, but unlike some wine-making regions in France, the winemakers here wear coveralls rather than a suit and tie. Beaune has one of the most beautiful markets in France and we especially love it because the landscape is ideal for growing good food.

Throughout our time in France, we have created a strong network of artisan food producers that we work with — farmers, organic gardeners, butchers, cheese makers, bakers, beekeepers — both to support small, local businesses as well as to give our clients the chance to see (and taste!) the best that Burgundy has to offer. We offer to our clients a glimpse of life in Burgundy through our hands-on market tours + cooking classes, cook’s workshops, seasonal suppers and wine tastings.

A typical Saturday Market day in Beaune

9am: Market days in Beaune are on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The Beaune market is really something special and is one of the most beautiful outside markets in France.

We like to head to the market first thing in the morning before the crowds get too large. We visit Madame Loichet for fresh flowers for the table.

We also visit Yan, for his organic vegetables and artisan cheese. We make a stop at our friends Yannick and Celine, for garden herbs for our window boxes, vegetable plants for our garden at chez Franchini and a barquette of French farm eggs. Next stop is, Monsieur Vossot on rue Maufoux, our favorite French butcher. Depending on the menu for the day, we might select a côte de boeuf, quail, a Bresse chicken or a slice or two of his homemade pàté or terrines. During the summer months, we will visit the Zacheries’ for their beautiful berries.

Market day isn’t complete without a trip to Alain Hess Fromagerie for a selection of French cheese, cream, and of course, our favorite ingredient, French butter.

1 pm

Most days, if we don’t have a market tour + cooking class scheduled at our atelier, we enjoy “The Long French Lunch” with family and friends.

If we are out and about, we might swing by Lolo’s place, La Dilettante, on rue du Faubourg for a glass of pinot noir and a charcuterie plate.

3pm: We would recommend a visit to the Hospice de Beaune or Hôtel-Dieu de Beaune. It was founded in 1443 by Nicolas Rolin, chancellor of Burgundy, as a hospital for the poor. The Hôtel-Dieu is one of the finest examples of fifteenth-century architecture and is now a museum.

Depending on the weather, we might hop in our vintage 2CV, aka Madeleine, for a afternoon drive along the Route des Grands Crus, through wine villages such as Pommard, Volnay and Meursault.

If we are lucky, we might stumble upon a village vide grenier or brocante and search for treasures for our atelier and our online shop, The French Larder at The Cook’s Atelier. We are particularly fond of vintage French creamware, rustic cutting boards, mezzalunas and antique serviettes.

5pm: We swing by The Cook’s Atelier for an impromptu wine tasting and gougères in our wine shop, organized by Kendall’s husband and our go-to Frenchman, Laurent, featuring a favorite wine producer of the month.

After that, we’ll scurry up to the teaching kitchen with the little ones and the berries from the Zacheries’ to prepare a mixed berry tart or a small batch of confiture. The kitchen smells heavenly.

8pm: For dinner, we enjoy a new hotspot, La Lune on rue Maufoux for a Franco-Japanese inspired menu. It is a tiny restaurant located just near Le Cep Hotel. The menu is fresh, seasonal and well-sourced. Reservations are highly recommended.

 

Places to stay

If you are looking for traditional accommodations, we would recommend Le Cep Hotel, Le Cèdre or our friends at Jardin de Lois. If you’d like to live like a local, be sure to check out our Pied-à-terre. It is a light-filled two bedroom apartment located near the market as well as some of our favorite restaurants. It has a small, but well-equipped kitchen for those who would like to prepare a meal at home. It is an adorable home-away-from-home for the inspired Francophile.

If you find yourself in Beaune, we hope you’ll swing by The Cook’s Atelier for your evening bottle of wine, cook’s tools + provisions, and glorious copper cookware. The Cook’s Atelier is really something special and a must-visit for every food and wine lover. We hope to see you soon.

(Image above: photo by Zio & Sons)

If you don’t find yourself across the pond, you can still enjoy perusing our online shop, The French Larder at The Cook’s Atelier. We recommend you enjoy your shopping with a glass of Burgundy wine. It’s the next best thing to being here in person!

 

via Design*Sponge http://ift.tt/1HYM275 From Sabrina Smelko