Give me some Sugar: Meet Greg Mindel of Neighbor

Greg Mindel of Neighbor Baker photographed at his pop-up in Sutton Cellars on Thursday, February 21, 2013 in Dogpatch, San Francisco, CA.

Loving thy neighbor is easy when it means choosing from trays of sweet and savory pastries at Neighbor bakery and when the neighbor is baker Greg Mindel.

Although it isn't that easy choosing from among the more than ten different selections available early this morning at Mindel's Thursdays-only pop-up at 22nd and Illinois in the space normally occupied by winemaker Carl Sutton and his Sutton Cellars.

Mindel's traditional croissant has garnered him much deserved praise and press for perhaps offering the only "authentic" croissant in SF but it is hard to pass up the bacon kimchi green onion croissant or the passion fruit, cocoa and almond brioche.  In the end we do indeed select the traditional croissant but also three (or four or five) of his other creations.

We were thankful to have the treats to occupy us since a seemingly endless stream of customers came in as soon Mindel opened for business.  In neighbor-like fashion, he seemed to know most of them -- shaking their hands and asking many of them if they wanted their usual or something new from the hand-written menu.

His genuine excitement at greeting each customer never flagged despite having baked all night as he does every night followed by early morning deliveries to such wholesale customers as Front Cafe, FourBarrel Coffee and SightGlass Coffee. 

Many of the customers were from nearby businesses -- even pastry rock star Michael Recchiuti lined up and filled a pastry box full of goodies to take to his co-workers. 

Although soft-spoken and modest, Mindel is exudes a quiet intensity when speaking about his plans for his year old business.

Greg Mindell serves a customer at his pop-up in Dogpatch, San Francisco, CA on February 21, 2013.

Why do you do what you do?

I grew up in New York and in Florida and I started in the food business when I was 14 years old.  My first job was in an Italian deli as a dishwasher and then I worked my way up to other jobs.  The baker there was an old Navy guy who had lots of great stories.  I learned so much from him and from all the other places I worked where there was always someone who took the time to share what they knew with me.

For many years I was an instructor at the San Francisco Baking Institute, among other places, and I heard people describe me as self-taught but really, even though I didn't have a formal culinary school education, I was taught but folks like these. 

So I have this urge to give back what I've learned to the community -- to create a place where food and stories can be shared.

Besides  teaching pastry, I also baked for other shops such as Tell Tale Preserve, Spruce and  Tartine.  I always had a goal to open my own shop.  But I want to do it the right way and to me that means having as much start up capital as I can before I open a brick and mortar shop.  My current catering and wholesale business in addition to holding pop-ups will help me get the majority of the capital I need.

Why Dogpatch?

Dogpatch is my first choice for my brick and mortar shop. 

I like that Dogpatch still feels a bit like uncharted territory still -- there is still a bit of chaos in the neighborhood and I like that. 

I also really like the mix of people in the neighborhood.  My customers are PG&E workers, winemakers, caterers, technology folks, etc. and they all seem to appreciate what I have to offer.

And I grew up near the water so I like that Dogpatch is on the waterfront.

Who is another fascinating person you have met in Dogpatch?

I rent commercial kitchen space in this building from Jamieson Leadbetter, owner of Leadbetters Bakeshop.  When Tell Tale Preserve ended up shutting down, Jamieson reached out to me and offered me his kitchen space.  I appreciated his support and admire what he has done with his business.

Also, there is a guy, Paul, who is the original founder of International Pastries which is also in the American Industrial Building.  Although he sold the company, he still works there and he so reminds me of some of my early teachers.  He is a quiet character but has lots of great stories -- when he does speak you know you should listen!

What would you be doing if you weren't doing this?

When Tell Tale didn't work out, with my wife's blessing and much appreciated support, I took six months off and did a walkabout.  I traveled, taught, baked and thought.

And running Neighbor is what I want do be doing.  This industry is so inspiring and dynamic that you can really do so many things.

If I weren't working on this bakery then I would still be in the food business but probably in some academic way -- perhaps studying anthropology of food or culinary science.  

And why name your new adventure, Neighbor?

While on my walkabout I thought a lot about names.  I like that Neighbor means community and about being connected but not in an overly trendy or overly hyped way.  The name is inclusive -- it can cross borders and include everyone.


Article written by Patricia Kline
Photographs by Scott R. Kline

The barrel points the way to Neighbor bakery in Dogpatch, San Francisco, CA. 

Blue no more: Cup of Blues Ready for Its Makeover

A common sight at the corner of 22nd and Minnesota is the figure of Joshua Shertz, dapper in his ever present cloth cap, pacing back and forth while talking on his cell phone or enjoying the sun with customers and friends at a table in front of his cafe, Cup of Blues.

We have often wondered why Cup of Blues serves only coffee and pastries and a few sandwich offerings and closes at 2 pm.  And as far as we could tell, there never seemed to be any blues played at all -- at least not the musical kind.  It seems like a perfect location for a bustling all day restaurant located as it is on the main merchant street of Dogpatch and within customer sharing distance of Chocolate Lab and Piccino Cafe.

Turns out Shertz and a new business partner have been planning and plotting for many months and they are almost ready to close Cup of Blues and transform the cafe into a restaurant offering something for everyone -- whether it be stopping by for a glass of wine or somewhere to go on date night.

A steady stream of customers ordered coffee and pastries the day we sat down to talk to Shertz about his plans for the cafe.

Why do you do what you do?
I love to entertain people and I love food and wine.  I started out my professional life in the music business.  I'm from New York City but moved to Los Angeles to pursue my music career although I briefly lived in San Francisco for a year before heading to L.A.  In L.A. I was a music producer and songwriter for about a decade.  I came back to SF when my dad was ill.

I decided to stay in SF -- I was pretty much done with the music business.  The business had changed from a live act business once MTV started -- I decided I needed a break.  The food/wine business is another form of entertainment.

Why Dogpatch?
I wanted a cafe that initially would be a coffee cafe but could someday be a full service restaurant.  I actually signed a lease on a great spot in  Berkeley but when I went to complete the paperwork at City Hall, I was told the city was putting a moratorium on cafes!  I was lucky that I was able to get out of my lease.

A friend drove me around SF and we eventually discovered Dogpatch.  I had never heard of this neighborhood but I liked what I saw -- homeowners putting money into their homes by painting them or doing maintenance.  And I loved all the Victorian homes.  It seemed like a neighborhood on the rise -- and this was in 1994.  And of course I liked how sunny the neighborhood was!

This site was originally a grocery store for many decades but it was being used as a living space.  I signed a lease and fixed it up and we have been here ever since.  What I didn't know that due to some issues I had with a former business partner that it would take so long to realize my goal of having a full service restaurant.

We are working on a complete redesign of this space with an architect and designer.  I can't wait to get the bars off the windows and open this place up!  We have our beer and wine license and I'm in discussions with general managers and executive chefs.  I want an approachable all day menu that will have items for breakfast, brunch as well as happy hour and late night dining. 

We will most likely close at the end of March for renovations and reopen in May. 

And there while we may at some point have live music, it will not be Blues!

Who is another fascinating person you have met in Dogpatch?
There are quite a few musicians and film people who live and work in Dogpatch.  I've really enjoyed meeting filmmaker David Munro and his wife, the producer Xandra Castleton,  of Grotto Films.  They are both so creative and David has some great stories.

What is an interesting story that has happened to you in Dogpatch?
Well the first month I was in business a customer had a medical emergency in here.  I thought, "oh great, this is what it is going to be like to deal with the public!"

Over the years it has been fun to watch various production companies film in our neighborhood.  The TV show, Nash Bridges, starring Don Johnson used to film here all the time.

And the first year the Burning Man Decompression event was held on Indiana Street was just bizarre!

What would you be doing if you weren't doing this?
I would still be doing something in the entertainment world but would probably be managing a band or a club.  I love to introduce people to music and artists that they may never have heard of and preferably do that while sipping a great glass of wine.


Article written by Patricia Kline
Photographs by Scott R. Kline

Going to the Dogs: Meet Jenn Lyons of Josi's Paw

Jenn Lyons with Pete and Siggie photographed in Dogpatch near Espirit Park. 

With an ever present baseball hat or visor clapped firmly on her head and an equally firm grip on numerous dog leashes -- the sight of dog walker Jenn Lyons coming down the street with her canine charges can bring a smile to even the most stoic city dweller.

Even the tag line of Lyons' dog walking business sets the tone:  Josi's Paw -- for friendly pets and people.

Josi's Paw is more than just a dog walking and pet sitting service though -- Lyons offers peace of mind to dog owners (sorry, caretakers) -- a reassurance that their faithful companion will not only be well exercised and cared for by Lyons, but also that Lyons will treat their dog as one of her own.

Lyons granted us an interview during a rare break in her schedule.  With her two dogs Pete and Siggie (age 6) by her side, we got to know more about this Dogpatch dog walker.

Jenn takes her charges on a walk through Dogpatch. 

Why do you do what you do?

I guess it started with my love for a dog -- Josephine -- or as I called her, Josi.  She died in 2006.  She was my first dog as an adult and she was just the best dog.  She made non-dog lovers into dog people.  I made friends because she was so sweet and affectionate to everyone.  She was my role model on how to be with people and with animals.

I didn't really consider this as a profession until I moved from the Midwest to San Francisco in 2007.  I actually worked in a retail pet shop when I moved here.  I felt like I was searching for my next career after spending time in advertising and in the fashion industry.  I knew I wasn't a desk job type person -- I need to be moving to feel happy.  And I love being outside.

So I started Josi's Paw in honor of Josephine in 2008.  It was one way for me to honor and memorialize her

And I love what I do.  I treat each client's dog as if the dog were my dog.  Even if they are complicated dogs!  I'm their caretaker.  That is important to my clients but equally important is that I keep their dog safe.  All dogs are always on a leash.

I'm also deeply aware that a client trusts me to enter their home and to take care of their loved one.  So it is important to me that I'm the one actually taking care of the dog and being in their home.  I also leave notes for each client describing how their dog did.  I think it gives the client an extra bit of reassurance to hear about their dog's day!

I also love to bring my clients together with their pets several times each year for dog parties!  I actually have an event coming up Sunday, October 28 -- a Halloween dog party at Pawtrero Pet Shop.  These parties are a lot of fun and are a good way to meet new people -- many of my clients have become my personal friends. 

I grew up in the Midwest and my relatives still can't believe that dog walking is an actual profession!

Why Dogpatch?

Most of my clients are in Dogpatch or Potrero Hill.  I love how it is off the beaten path a bit and therefore not overly busy.  And because it isn't as busy as other SF neighborhoods, it is a safer place to walk dogs.

My husband and I love the neighborhood so much we actually just bought a condo here. And of course I love the name of the neighborhood!

Jenn gets a great view from 18th street toward the Bay. 

Who is another fascinating person you have met in Dogpatch?

It takes lots of keys.

I love walking by Ed McGary, he owns an auto detail business on Minnesota Street.  He always has jazz music playing and is so friendly to me and to the dogs.  He is charming and has a nice attitude about life.

What is an interesting story that has happened to you in Dogpatch?

I was talking to Ian, one of the owners of Mr. and Mrs. Miscellaneous ice cream shop, and I admired his tattoos.  He referred me to the tattoo artist that he had used.  For my birthday I had an image of a hummingbird together with the Mandarin symbol for dog tattooed on my wrist.

A hummingbird is my animal totem -- I'm inspired by their sweetness for life and how they live in the moment.  I love how I can see the tattoo on my wrist as I walk the dogs.

What would you be doing if you weren't doing this?

If I weren't doing this it would still have to involve dogs in some way!  Perhaps a dog friendly wine bar since I love wine and food!

Jenn's dogs are not shy for the camera. 

Linus says hello to start his walk. 

Jenn shows an imprint of Josie's paw and her hummingbird tattoo.

Article written by Patricia Kline
Photographs by Scott R. Kline

Let's Make a Deal! Meet Craig Sakuma of Deal Décor!

Craig Sakuma and Gregory Lok at the headquarters of Deal Décor in Dogpatch, San Francisco, CA.

One of the many things we love about Dogpatch is the discoveries we find lurking behind the numerous nondescript warehouse doors that still dot the neighborhood.

One stifling hot October day we found ourselves dodging the Veritable Vegetable trucks at Tennessee and Cesar Chavez to locate a newcomer to Dogpatch -- Deal Décor.  We slipped in the door behind a young kid wearing both a San Francisco Giants hat and an Oakland Athletic jersey -- both teams had just won their divisions. 

The building directory was evidence that this particular warehouse was home to dozens of small businesses, including LightSource, Rebel8 and Acme Novelty Company but we were pretty confident that this diplomatic kid must be heading to the San Francisco Baseball Academy. 

Once inside we made our way to the offices of Deal Décor.  We were greeted by founders Craig Sakuma and Gregory Lok as well as by Billy, the resident office dog owned by a neighboring business.

The founders may have recently received $1.2 million in funding but their investors don't need to worry that it is being spent on posh office space -- their offices looked like someone had been bowling using furniture as the bowling pins -- sofas, chairs and other assorted furniture pieces were scattered throughout their office space.

Deal Décor is all about using group-buying power to offer consumers a 30-70% savings on furniture and other home goods.  The leverage of the group purchasing power allows them to cut out the expense of a middleman and ship directly to the buyer.  We wondered if perhaps the founders were fans of journalist, Thomas Friedman and his book, The World is Flat, because that is essentially at the heart of how they look at the world.  Deal Decor is using the Internet to flatten the traditional supply chain in buying furniture.  And a supply chain doesn't come much more old-school than a furniture one.

We took a few of those chairs to the less crowded and much cooler hallway to talk to Craig Sakuma about his new company.

Why do you do what you do?

Both Greg and I worked for many years in the traditional home furnishings industry.  As such we know the inner workings of the industry.  We both worked a lot in Asia and have a lot of connections there.  We saw the inefficiencies and we also knew that even though the consumer thought they were getting a unique piece of furniture, one factory in China actually makes the furniture for lots of brands.  There was really no reason to be paying such a huge mark up for the furniture.  I guess we saw an opportunity to create a whole new category in the furniture industry -- similar to how Frank & Oak is shaking up the menswear industry and how Warby Parker is offering an alternative way to buy prescription eyewear.  We are all using the power of the Internet to flatten the supply chains for traditional consumer products, which in turn creates amazing deals for consumers.

Once we have enough orders of our featured product to fill an ocean container, we have our factory build the product then we ship it direct to the consumer.  We typically have three new pieces each week and each deal last ten days.  We tested out our idea in California first.  The enthusiastic consumer response convinced us we were ready to launch nation-wide, which we just did in September.  Before we launched we actually had one consumer who lived out of state who so wanted to buy our featured product that they figured out a way to circumvent our ordering system!  Of course we had to let them know we couldn't yet sell to them but we did let them know that we are now nation-wide!

Why Dogpatch?

Until we found this space we had been working out of my apartment.  But we now have five local employees as well as three based in China.  We also needed a large space so we could photograph our samples.  So it was time to start looking for a real office.

We actually found this place on Craigslist!  It has the industrial elevators and the high ceilings we need and the location is so convenient.

Who is another fascinating person you have met in Dogpatch?

One of our neighbors here is Sam Hoffman.  He owns LightSource.  It is a large-scale digital printing studio. They do such beautiful work.  I'm so impressed with him and the work they do. 

What is an interesting story that has happened to you in Dogpatch?

I was working here late one Sunday night and all of a sudden I hear music.  I go out in the hallway and there are party streamers everywhere and kids dancing.  It looked like a middle school dance!  Turns out the SF Baseball Academy were hosting a teenager's birthday party.  Not something you see everyday in an office building!

What would you be doing if you weren't doing this?

I would be looking for another start-up to run!  I grew up on the East Coast and have lived and worked all over the U.S. and internationally.  But San Francisco is unique in how friendly and supportive they are to entrepreneurs.  I love the collaborative culture here.

Burning Man Decompression 2012

For the thirteenth year, Burning Man Decompression came to Dogpatch for its annual visit this past Sunday. The street fair closed down Indiana street between Mariposa and 22nd and took in Espirit Park as well. There was the usual food, fire dancers, rave music and art cars, but the best part in our opinion, is the people.

Burners come from all around to rekindle the magic for a day. It can all seem a bit manic, but the people-watching is undeniably fun. We took the camera out several times during the day and these are some of our favorites. If self-expression is a San Francisco trademark, then it has no better counterpart than Burning Man. 

Photos by Scott R. Kline.  

Art for Commerce: Meet Susan Eslick

Susan Eslick with collection of glazes used for her pottery.

When we ask our indogpatch subjects to name another interesting Dogpatch person, there are two or three names that come up over and over again.  Susan Eslick is on that short list.

"Great storyteller, hilarious, successful artist and Dogpatch activist" are all words used to describe Eslick.

So of course we had to meet this Dogpatch dynamo for ourselves.

We met Eslick at her studio in the Noonan Building on Pier 70 in Dogpatch -- a haven for painters, photographers and other artists -- and she soon had us alternatively laughing at her stories and shaking our heads in disbelief at all she has accomplished as a neighborhood activist.

Eslick has lived in San Francisco for more than 30 years but grew up in Buffalo, New York and studied printmaking and ceramics at Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, Rhode Island.   She fell in love with San Francisco during an art program she attended at the Art Institute her Junior year and soon moved here after a completing a graduate program in printmaking at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. 

Her creative business includes being a design consultant and creative director for a variety of clients as well as producing her own line of ceramic tableware and designing stationery items such as notebooks, journals and calendars for various clients.

Her studio is bright and airy as you would expect an artist's studio to be but turns out it is also not where Eslick spends most of her time these days.

Eslick continues to have a thriving design business but has an equally successful business helping other artists and creative types implement financial systems for their businesses.

Implementing financial systems?  Not a business typically thought of for artsy types.

Why do you do what you do?
My tax accountant was always impressed at tax time when I would bring him accurate and complete financial statements for my design business.  He joked that if I wanted to help other artists get their financial act together that he had quite a few clients he could immediately send my way.

There is the stereotype of artists not being good with money but I was always determined to make a living by being an artist.  And being an entrepreneur runs in my family -- my sister is an interior designer in SF and another sister owns a restaurant in Chicago.

I guess you might say I was an artist in search of a business when I arrived in San Francisco.  A partner and I started a commercial and residential ceramic tile business and got our big break when we were hired to create the tile for the first Apple Computer headquarters back when Apple was just getting started.

I'm proud of the successful business I've built as an artist and designer but the design business has changed a lot in the last few years and I was ready for another challenge.  I'm still an active designer and always will be but now I'm reinventing myself as someone who can help others make a living by doing their art.

I went back to my tax accountant and said I was ready.  I named my business (The Bookkeeper), designed my new cards and I was instantly busy!  I've been in this new business for about two years and have more than 30 clients. It's all word-of-mouth -- I don't even have a website!

And I love it.  Many artists are self-employed and as such are alone most of the time.  I like to think I do more than just financial systems for my clients -- I'm also a good sounding board for new ideas since I can relate to their creative process.

Why Dogpatch?
My first business was in the American Industrial Center.  I loved the hustle and bustle of the neighborhood during the day but loved how quiet it was on the weekends and evenings.  I also loved the history of the neighborhood.  So I eventually bought a house here.

But in the late 1990s the character of Dogpatch was threatened by one inappropriate building project after another.  I started the Dogpatch Neighborhood Association (DNA) to help protect the neighborhood from some of these projects such as the 300 bed homeless shelter that former Mayor Willie Brown wanted to put at 20th and Illinois. 

Just as there are today, there were a lot of creative people in Dogpatch so we all rallied to put together impressive press packets and suddenly we were all activists!

We told the city that we would consider a 50 bed facility if every other neighborhood in SF would do the same.  Willie Brown backed down.

We then took on the immense project of having Dogpatch designated as an historic neighborhood by the SF Board of Supervisors.

Thanks to the work of SF architect Christopher VerPlanck and his interest in San Francisco's nineteenth-century industrial architecture and workers' housing, Dogpatch resident John Borg and I were able to create a convincing dog-and-pony show to educate the board about Dogpatch.

We argued that Dogpatch was one of the original Live/Work neighborhoods that were just then becoming all the rage in San Francisco as evidenced by the still standing Pelton Cottages -- inexpensive housing that was built to house waterfront workers.

One of the requirements to become an historic district is to have an official survey of the neighborhood completed. It took four years but we raised more than $15,000 to get the survey completed and in 2002 the Board of Supervisors voted in favor of the historic neighborhood designation. 

A vintage sweep generator adds interest to Susan Eslick's studio.

Who is another fascinating person you have met in Dogpatch?
Dennis Herrera, the SF city attorney, has been in the neighborhood for a long, long time.  He has lots of stories about the "early" days and is a super approachable and nice guy. 

Also, boat builder Paul Zingaro and the owner of Persnickety Painters, Jared Doumani have been in Dogpatch a long time and have great stories.

I guess I enjoy good storytellers!

What is an interesting story that has happened to you in Dogpatch?
It was about nine years ago and my mom was visiting from New York.  It was early in the morning and we were getting ready to take her to the airport.  Mom kept saying how she was hearing lots of noise outside.  We downplayed it since we live in an industrial neighborhood.  We even heard a big BOOM like an explosion but we even dismissed that.  Finally, someone starts to bang on our front door.  It's my sister and behind her is a crowd of drug enforcement agents in riot gear as well as lots of news media.

Turns out the police were conducting an early morning raid on the Hells Angels who have their headquarters on our street! The big boom was the door being blown off their headquarters.  Of course my mom no longer wanted to go to the airport with all the excitement going on outside our front door.

What would you be doing if you weren't doing this?
I'm doing what I want to do.  I feel very satisfied with my work and with my role as Dogpatch booster!

Weaving Together Sustainability with Social Justice: Meet Smita Paul of Indigo Handloom

Smita Paul in her Dogpatch Headquarters

"The livery of freedom."  That's what Mahatma Gandhi called khadi.  Khadi means cotton and it is used to make hand-spun and hand-woven cloth.   At the time of India's struggle for independence, Gandhi urged the people of India to wear Khadi garments to show the unity of India and the self-reliance of its people. 

But according to a recent article in The Economic Times (of India), the number of India's handloom weavers who create this type of cloth and others are on the decline due to low remuneration, rising costs and the loss of Government subsidies.

Smita Paul founded Indigo Handloom in 2003 as a response to what she saw as not only the dwindling of India's handloom fabric industry, but also of a way of life for its artisan weavers. 

Coupled with this mission of social justice is another lofty goal for Paul:  make a difference in the fight against global warming --  handloom weavers use zero energy to create their colorful fabrics.

In addition to Khadi, Indigo Handloom also offers Muga and Mutka Silk, Batik, Jamdani and Ikat.  She markets these fabrics to small to mid-size designers and her own clothing line is in the works.  In addition, a selection of scarves made from these fabrics can be purchased from her website.

Intrigued by Paul's crusade and wondering how a former hard news journalist became obsessed with textiles, we met up with her at her small workshop located on the third floor of the American Industrial Building.  Three clocks representing the time zones where Paul spends most of her time crisscrossing -- New York, San Francisco, and India -- were featured prominently on one wall and with Paul due to leave that day for a business trip to NYC, we knew which time zone her eyes would be keeping track of.

The small space has surrendered to Paul's love of color and textiles as the brick walls of her office flow into the blue hued walls and purple window frames.  Hundreds of bolts of fabric in a riot of colors and numerous patterns were stacked neatly on shelves.  A large, ornate mirror reflected it all and made us feel we were in a much bigger space.

Why do you do what you do?

I can literally feel the presence of the weavers when I cut in to these beautiful fabrics that they have created.  And I also feel for them -- the loss that they are experiencing of how they have lived and worked for generations as their numbers and their industry dwindles.  And I guess I am humbled that they have so little in material possessions yet they create such beauty.  I want to bring recognition to them to help them survive but I also want to bring their beautiful fabrics to the awareness of an audience outside of India.

When people think of fabrics from India they think of bedspreads and perhaps of bad quality fabric.  This is the opposite of what I experienced as an Indian-American girl growing up in Tennessee.  The fabrics and garments I saw the women wear were high quality, sophisticated and beautiful.

I wanted to show that sophisticated side of these fabrics to the world. I knew I could help by taking these fabrics the weavers make and change the style to make it more modern, more fashion forward in order to create a larger market for them.

For most of my working life I was a journalist for newspapers and magazines as well as a journalism instructor at Columbia.  I worked for high profile media companies also as a freelance journalist.  I really did have the dream job as a freelancer -- I pitched stories that I wanted to cover in places that I wanted to travel to.  It was on a trip to India to cover a story that I first learned about the handloom industry. I've always enjoyed sewing and loved textiles so no matter where I was traveling to for a story I would make a point of finding local fabrics. 

I was just amazed by these beautiful fabrics that were literally made by a poor, landless weaver living in a mud hut! And when I realized that these weavers use no energy, not even a light bulb to create their fabrics, I knew I had to be a part of this story.  I realized that I could help create fabulous clothing with a very low carbon footprint.  In fact the recent wide-scale blackout in India had zero affect on our production -- zero! 

I knew nothing about design or how to run a retail or wholesale business but I'm proud of how much I have learned and accomplished -- Eileen Fisher is one of our biggest customers -- and I'm excited about a potential new clothing line that I'm working on.  

Why Dogpatch?

Dogpatch reminds me of my favorite neighborhood in New York, Dumbo, where I lived and I first started my business.  Dumbo is also near the water and it has the same great creative energy.

Who is another fascinating person you have met in Dogpatch?

Well, it feels like I work all the time but no one works harder than Gilberth and Julia Cab!  They own several restaurants in Dogpatch and I so admire what they have created.

What would you be doing if you weren't doing this?

Honestly I think I would still be a journalist but a bitter one!  One of the reasons I turned my back on journalism was because I felt that there is such a manipulation of the media these days.  I really felt like I couldn't make a difference in the world by being a journalist.  I don't feel that way now.