Since the mid 1880s, Easter in New York City brings out the most extravagant costumes and personalities, celebrating the Annual Easter Parade. Fifth Avenue from 49th to 57th streets is closed to traffic, allowing participants and spectators to take the streets to strut their Easter best.
When I was 35 I left a career and started college for the first time. Surrounded by 18 year olds, I worked hard to find my place in the most unordinary circumstances. It wasn’t always easy, and I wasn’t always happy. Yet the more I learned, the less all that mattered. I’d loved literature and writing for such a long time, and it was surreal to be spending my days writing creative stories and essays, reading Russian Lit, performing poetry, and discussing it all with others who loved it as much as I did. It fed that part of me that had hungered for longer than I cared to admit. I left Rollins College, carrying with me a new sense of the world, a constant curiosity and of course a ton of books.
Fast forward three years later.
I walk into the New York City Department of Education offices as a concerned mother, fighting to get her child into a middle school, after being treated like I’m from another world—I leave as a disgruntled New Yorker (fitting in so soon) with a brand new career, homeschool teacher.
Pulling out logoed spiral notebooks, scribbled post-its, and dog-eared Nortons, I created a lesson plan and built a blog for housing it all. School was in session. As Jordan and I started working together in our unordinary circumstances as student and teacher in those first days, nerves and missteps were the norm. Together, though, we discovered a natural rhythm through stories.
Jordan reads Achebe. 2011
Embracing the warm sun on our rooftop terrace overlooking Manhattan, we began with the first reading assignment, Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart. It had been one of the last stories I studied before leaving college and one of the most meaningful. As she read and we discussed, the world readily opened in a special new way for her. Perhaps offering reflection on her misconceptions of homeschooling. Or maybe she glimpsed the way we were mistreated at the Department of Ed. And I even guessed she thought about her excitement over our recent move and how she would no doubt experience a fantastic transformation into a true New Yorker, adapting in ways that her parents probably never will.
Seeing the good and the ugly side of things is not a bad thing. It helps the light shine through. I hope I was able shed a little light into Jordan’s world, sparking a lifelong curiosity and a sincere compassion for others, a true lesson from Achebe.
The Rollins Motto is Fiat Lux, Let there be light, fitting words to honor the legacy of such an important writer and inspirational individual. You will be missed Achebe.
Let them come to New York, stand on the shore of the Hudson, look and kneel. When I see the city from my window – no, I don’t feel how small I am – but I feel that if a war came to threaten this, I would throw myself into space, over the city, and protect these buildings with my body.
― Ayn Rand
A bold orange sun breaks through the early morning cracks as the first planes since Hurricane Sandy begin to ease in and out of the city. The Queensboro hums again. I watch from my window as commuters walk, bike and ride (three to a vehicle for now) into Manhattan. The usual hubbub of people running to catch the subway or tram rushes past my building. I catch glimpses of small talk and kisses goodbye. All of these noises, nuances, that touch most of my days without so much as a passing glance, grab my attention. I lean back, listen to the familiar sounds and feel a sense of normalcy wash over me. It feels good.
My heart goes out to all of those who lost during this hurricane. Whether it was the loss of power, irreplaceable photos or cars and homes, I understand. Things will return to normal, although it may be a new kind of normal. Life will go on. Time will refuse to stand still. Those around you—family, friends, neighbors, and even strangers—will help. Let them. Events like this bring with them a renewed sense of community, and it’s priceless.
I’m no stranger to hurricanes or tragedy. I survived Hurricane Hugo in ’89 while living in Myrtle Beach—driving into the night because of a last minute emergency evacuation, dodging falling trees and debris. In Orlando, a succession of hurricanes with unassuming names like Charley and Frances devoured Florida. We had major leaks but no real damage, and I considered myself lucky. In Atlanta, a house fire destroyed everything. And finally a major robbery in North Carolina stole my spirit for a long time as I lost childhood memories, electronics, and everything in between. It’s hard to lose like that . . . It’s hard to lose.
But remember to pay attention to the things we gain. Just yesterday, our building provided a breakfast in the lobby for all the residents and the staff, a staff that worked tirelessly for 3 days without ever leaving the building. It was a welcomed bright way to start the day and a gesture that makes our place a home rather than just another apartment building. Our local shops, like Starbucks, Riverwalk Bar & Grill, Fuji, and Duane Reade opened early to make sure residents could stock up on supplies and grab a meal. We heard stories of staff figuring out creative ways to make it in to help. And we talked to neighbors who had lost power but not their sense of humor and gratitude.
Serge Lambert, Related
Later in the evening, tiny trick-or-treaters sputtered down the hallways, laughing and celebrating. Outside neighbors leisurely walked their dogs while dots of vibrant yellow scattered the streets as cabs resumed their major role in New York City civilization.
Yes, this morning planes are back in the air, many of the subways back on track and businesses gently reopen their doors. The sun is shining, albeit through a few clouds. The city is noisy once again. And if we look close enough we all witness New York shaking off the hurricane residue, resilient as ever. And all at once you just know, things will be okay.
Me-Shell Mijangos, SwellWomen Founder
A planned trip around the world morphed into a life-changing journey from chaotic New York City living to a humble tent in Maui. Me-Shell Mijangos reignited her passion for yoga, surf and the outdoors which ultimately led to the discovery of a reinvented life centered in bliss. Realigning her priorities in a way most of us only dream about, Mijangos left behind the corporate world to start SwellWomen, a surf camp and wellness retreat for women. Founded in 2003 SwellWomen caters to women of all ages, offering a full service luxury retreat experience, including a variety of activities such as snorkeling, windsurfing, and of course, exploring the Hawaiian Islands . And most recently, SwellWomen added SwellCo-Ed, surf and yoga retreats open to men, women, and couples.
The SwellWomen experience is as much about internal wellness as the external. Mijangos gets it . . . the rat race, the stress, the obligations, the never ending tasks. She’s been there. She’s done it. And now she can show you how to sit back, take a deep breath, and treat yourself to some swell-deserved bliss.
Life of Riley: Much of your career focused on empowering women in some way. Why has that been such an important element of your work life?
Me-Shell Mijangos: I don’t know really. It’s just something that makes me feel good–there’s a real purpose behind it. I see the strength in women and like seeing women blossom in their personal growth. We (as women) really have so much to offer to other women.
LOR: People dream of leaving behind the chaos of every day life and searching for a more peaceful existence. How were you able to do it?
Mijangos: It was easy for me, I followed my bliss and it led me to Maui. I made some sacrifices to live here, i.e. going from Soho to living in a tent for a month in Maui. Then, I upgraded to a converted garage studio. I was in alignment with my purpose, and even though I was living much more simply than I did in NYC, I was happy. I was happy to be back in nature.
LOR: While you were living in New York, you took a trip around the world, and it turned out to be the trip that changed your life. How did the idea for that trip come to life?
Mijangos: It was a dream of mine that kept on ‘nagging’ at me. I love NYC—it was a wonderful time in my life to be there and it’s a place that I will never forget. However, I knew it wasn’t me to be there. I saved up all my pennies from my corporate job and took off on a wild adventure that I never completed. That’s how I ended up in Maui.
LOR: Why Maui?
Mijangos: The surf, the sunshine, the aloha spirit, the slow paced life, why not? 
LOR: What was the inspiration behind SwellWomen? Tell us more about the company.
Mijangos: During my trip around the world, the first stop was in Costa Rica to participate in a yoga teacher training program. It was there that I started to teach fellow yogis and yoginis how to surf. I took the concepts and poses of yoga and transferred them onto the surfboard. I really enjoyed teaching and using yoga as a teaching tool. Fast forward to Maui, I ended up getting a summer job as an assistant director at a teen surf camp. While I was there, my ideas of owning a wellness retreat that incorporated two of my passions—surfing and yoga—began to take shape. I knew Maui was the place for that to happen!
LOR: Who are the women joining your retreats? Is there a specific SwellWoman?
Mijangos: Our SwellWomen come from all over the world and range from 19 (our youngest) to 68 (our oldest). They are from all walks of life from business owner, doctors, CEOs, full time moms, and everything in between. One thing in common is their sense of adventure and wellness…I think that’s what draws them to our retreats.
LOR: What do you hope these women take home with them?
Mijangos: I hope these women take home with them more ways to incorporate bliss into their lives. This can range from spending more time on themselves, taking yoga classes, eating more healthy, taking walks, or as extravagant as a career change.
LOR: Have you found your bliss?
Mijangos: …yes, and then some.
LOR: For those who can’t leave their current job or change locations, do you have any empowering tips to help them achieve a form of bliss in everyday life?
Mijangos: Yes, find out what feels good for your body and do more of it. We disconnect so much from ourselves when we get caught up in the rat race of life (I’ve experienced this personally) and we ‘forget’ what brings us bliss or makes us happy. Pay attention. Go play. See what happens. It could be sunshine on your face for a few minutes, a new brand of tea, or taking 5 minutes to be present with your child that can bring you bliss. Blissful moments…they are wonderful.
You can learn more about Me-Shell Mijangos and SwellWomen at www.SwellWomen.com. Check out the SwellWomen Promo video for a very blissful overview of this amazing adventure. And you can also connect with SwellWomen on Twitter and Facebook.
A glass of red Hungarian wine, a heated conversation on letting myself go, and an unbelievably sweet Groupon deal featuring a friend’s fitness studio led me down the road to fitness boot camp.
Standing along the East River, surrounded by a large group of twenty-somethings dressed in the latest lululemon athletic wear, I hold my head high. Decked out in my old Target jogging pants with the faded out crotch and an unraveling waistband—the same tired pants my husband and daughter christened the “uniform pants,” I try to ignore the startling contrast in age, fashion, and physique.
Five minutes in, the trainer introduces himself as G5, asks us to sign in, and then directs us to line up in rows. Before I have a chance to find a comfortable spot, G5 reaches for the whistle dangling from his toned neck in what seems like slow motion and, suddenly, a shrilling sound echoes in my ears. I sprint up the hill desperately trying to stay in front of someone, anyone, so that I will not be last. But last is where I finish each time.
Read the post in its entirety at New York Family Magazine.
Henley by Amy Richmond
Guest Blogger Amy Richmond
Ever since my parents took me on a plane to Disneyland when I was in the first grade–in the days when air travel was restricted primarily to businessmen in suits–I’ve been hooked. Our family took two big trips a year: one by air in the winter and a road trip in the summer. Once I got to high school (and French class), I couldn’t wait to see more.
I spent a month in Switzerland and France when I was 17. That’s when I discovered that I could branch out from the peanut butter sandwiches that were my meal staple–and that Mme. Sczarka hadn’t taught me as much as I thought she had. I couldn’t communicate past “Bonjour” and “Il fait beau.” If the sun wasn’t shining, I was in trouble. But that summer, I learned a lot about life–a good girl could get drunk and survive, an American in Brittany was a very popular entity, and communication isn’t always about words. In fact, it generally isn’t.
When I boarded the plane in Paris to go home, I had one goal. To go back.
I did.
Many, many times.
Then my international travel slowed with a career and then a gig as a stay at home mom. I packed the suitcase for my daughter and me to cross the border out of the States a few times, but it wasn’t enough. I missed my fix.
By the time my daughter was 7 or 8, my only New Year’s resolution was to leave the country at least once a year. And ever since then, I’ve fulfilled the goal quite well.
Last month work took me to Birmingham, England. We stayed at the famed Belfry and I was never more grateful for my job than when I walked the beautiful grounds. Contrary to my previous experiences in Britain, the food was delicious. What happened to turn the tide? The staff was solicitous and the people friendly. The work event was a success and then came some pure fun—A few days of girl time with a dear friend.
Kate and I hadn’t spent any concentrated time together since my daughter was 3. Her 4 children were young at the time so even though we were together for a week–and it was wonderful–I don’t know how much one on one time we actually got with 5 kids swarming about.
Kate has long lived in France–and I can take some credit for that. My broken leg from a skiing incident in the Swiss Alps maneuvered a meeting with her husband of almost 30 years. That first meeting–between 2 people whose communication was mostly nonverbal–took place on the night train from Geneva to Paris.
We were well familiar with train travel. Kate and I’d been traveling with Eurail pass in hand for almost 2 months. We hit somewhere between 10-15 countries, using the train as a frequent hotel. We made new friends, picked up additional vocabulary, and formed a life-long bond. Repeatedly sharing a miniscule sleeping compartment will do that to you.
Henley Countryside by Amy Richmond
Back on the train for a day trip in England brought back a flood of memories–and made some new. Once again we had an unlimited travel pass and we took advantage. Our first stop was Henley-in-Arden, a quaint town in Warwickshire. We had a lovely lunch in a cozy restaurant before venturing down the one main street to take it all in. We sped through the Heritage Centre after being told we’d want to be there for hours (it was tiny!), checked out the two main churches and tested out the goods at the famous ice cream shop.
And then we hopped back on the train to continue onto Stratford upon Avon. The countryside is lush and lovely. We saw cows, sheep, and lambs. My iPhone didn’t do the scenery justice, but the images are printed indelibly in my mind.
I’d been to Stratford before. We couldn’t see much this visit. By the time we arrived, most everything was shut down for the night, a surprise to this New Yorker, and even for Kate, because it wasn’t late–5 pm–but we took our cue and went back to Birmingham.
The next day we explored the city and as we navigated the streets by foot, we shared stories–current and past. We caught up on the details even though our friendship had never lagged behind. Our chance meeting with the American expat at the Town Hall nudged some talk about meeting husbands, and the long-time effects of that; the visit to the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery led to a discussion about our current television viewing habits. A boat ride in the canals reminded us of our shared time in Italy. The topics wove in and out, just as our feet did the same on the cobbled streets. The one constant? A friendship we can trust. One that we appreciate.
It made me realize that these days, the best travel moments include connecting with loved friends. The location is just a bonus. But who doesn’t love a good bonus?
Amy lives in NYC–the perfect city for someone who wants to feel like they’re on vacation when they’re at home. You can follow Amy’s travels and adventures on her blog Stop Whining About Your Life. Change It.
Life of Riley: Writing, wedding planning…That’s major multi-tasking. How are you able to juggle all of these hats?
Raine Thomas: This is a great question. I can’t tell you how often people say that what I do for a living sounds so “glamorous.” But the truth is, it’s a challenge balancing two careers!
I work at least 40 hours a week on the wedding planning side of things (largely Monday through Friday, unless I’m coordinating a weekend wedding). Then I spend my early evenings with my husband and daughter, up until my daughter goes to bed. After that, it’s time to work on my author tasks. Most of my writing takes place late at night and over the weekends. I haven’t had a full night’s sleep (not to mention a real day off) in quite some time. Doesn’t sound very glamorous, right? But I wouldn’t trade it for the world!
Riley: I know you started writing at a very young age. How did you nurture that love of writing to make it as a successful young adult author?
Thomas: Yes, it was my fourth-grade literacy fair when I became addicted to writing. My cousin helped nurture this, begging me each summer to create a story and write more of it every day so that she could read it. Thanks to her, I learned how to keep a story flowing and see it through to the end.
Those early efforts taught me that I could write complete novels. I then earned my bachelor’s degree in English with a focus in Creative Writing, which taught me more of the mechanics of writing effective stories as well as how to handle critiques. My master’s degree in humanities then opened my eyes to how the arts have impacted literature over the years, and how much all of the arts overlap…from book “sound tracks” to the gorgeous covers and all of the research that goes into writing, they all interconnect. I’ve used much of what I learned in school in the course of my writing career.
Riley: What does it mean to you to be an Indie Author?
Thomas: It means that I control my destiny. That’s really the bottom line when it comes to self-publishing. For good or bad, I have control over the content of my books, the designs of the covers, the price format, all sales and marketing efforts, my social media platform, connecting with reviewers…well, the list goes on and on. It’s a tremendous responsibility. If I don’t achieve success, I have no one at which to point the finger of blame besides myself. Right now, having that control has worked really well for me, so I love being an Indie Author!
Riley: How have you embraced social media as a valuable platform for your work?
Thomas: If it wasn’t for social media, the only sales of my books would probably have been to my friends and family. One of the first (and best) things I did before making the decision to go Indie was reading John Locke’s How I Sold 1 Million eBooks in 5 Months. In it, he discusses the value of Twitter. I hated the idea of joining Twitter, not really understanding how it worked. Because of that book, however, I joined Twitter…and almost instantly built a fan base. I’ve since joined a number of other social networking sites, too. Social media had the biggest hand in getting my writing career off the ground, no question.
Riley: Tell readers about your latest book, Defy.
Thomas: Defy is the first book in my upcoming Firstborn trilogy. This trilogy is a follow-up to my Daughters of Saraqael trilogy, though it contains a glossary intended to bring new readers up to speed. The story follows Tate, the firstborn daughter of Skye and Caleb from my book, Foretold. Here’s a summary:
Seventeen-year-old Tate is about to make her parents’ dreams come true. Unfortunately for her, their dreams foretell her death.
Eager to explore more of the Estilorian plane and prove her abilities, Tate goes against her parents’ wishes and leaves the area of protection surrounding her home. Her choice puts her on a deadly path…one that leaves her alone, severely injured and battling for her life.
Her possible savior arrives in the form of Zachariah, a male who has removed himself from Estilorian society for more than fifty years. Fighting an unexpected connection to Tate, he must decide whether saving her life is worth destroying his.
As Tate struggles to find a way home, she ends up drawn into a dark Mercesti plot involving multiple murders and a powerful ancient artifact. With the unpredictable Zachariah as her only source for aid, she’ll soon find out if her abilities are strong enough to help her defy her Fate.
Riley: Best advice for writers?
Thomas: Never, ever give up! There are so many stories out there of authors who struggled for years to make their dreams come true, and then they finally did it. Whether you intend to go the traditional route or publish independently, research like crazy, hone your craft, and produce the best work possible. It will all pay off in the end.
Riley: Who’s your favorite author? Favorite book of all time?
Thomas: My favorite author is Nora Roberts. She has the ability to make me laugh out loud and cry like an infant, something no other writer does quite as well for me. I don’t have one favorite book, but Nora’s “In Death” series written as J.D. Robb is definitely my favorite. I’ll re-read the entire series every other year or so.
Riley: The art work for your books is quite beautiful. Could you tell us about the artist and how you connected?
Thomas: Thanks! My cover artist is the brilliant Devan Edwards of Nimbi Design. I met Devan through a mutual friend. That friend has some graphic design knowledge, so I approached her about designing my Daughters of Saraqael covers. She wasn’t very comfortable with the idea of doing book covers, though, and connected me with Devan. The rest, as they say, is history!
Raine Thomas
Bio: Raine Thomas is the author of a bestselling series of YA fantasy romance novels about the Estilorian plane, including the Daughters of Saraqael trilogy and the upcoming Firstborn trilogy. She is a proud member of Romance Writers of America and is a contributing blogger to The Writer’s Voice. When she isn’t planning weddings, writing or glued to social networking sites, she can usually be found on one of Florida’s beautiful beaches with her husband and daughter or crossing the border to visit with her Canadian friends and relatives.
Ways readers can connect with Raine Thomas:
Twitter (http://twitter/Raine_Thomas)
Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/rainethomas)
Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/raine_thomas/)
Website (http://rainethomas.com)
Blog (http://RaineThomas.com/blog/)
Florence and son Alex
Photo: EGPAF
1981. Reagan became President. Lady Diana married Prince Charles. MTV launched. Ali retired. Titanic found. The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) issued the first “official” report of what would later be called the AIDS epidemic. And Elizabeth Glaser contracted HIV from a blood transfusion during childbirth.
Seven years later, Glaser lost her daughter, Ariel, to AIDS. At that time little was known about Pediatric AIDS or mother-to-child transmission and research was very limited. Out of a mother’s grief for her daughter and fear for her son’s life, Glaser co-founded The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and rallied the world for change. Losing her own battle with AIDS in ‘94, Glaser’s legacy lives on in many forms including the EGPAF Ambassadors—a special group of individuals, touched by HIV or AIDS, who work hard to educate, support and inspire, striving for a generation free of HIV. Today, Glaser’s son, Jake, now a healthy HIV-positive young adult, serves as an EGPAF ambassador.
Recently I had the honor of speaking via Skype with EGPAF Ambassador Florence Ngobeni-Allen who lives in Johnanessburg, South Africa. The striking similarities between Glaser and Allen were hard to miss, two HIV-positive mothers fighting, relentlessly, for global change. And just as Glaser had lost Ariel, Allen also lost her daughter, Nomthunzi, in 1997. From counseling other HIV positive mothers to advocacy work to standing alongside President Obama at the 2011 World AIDS Day, honoring Nomthunzi’s memory has become Allen’s passion and work–a mother’s fight.
Life of Riley: Did you ever imagine this is where you’d be, what you’d be doing today? Giving interviews? Traveling the world? Supporting other mothers?
Florence Allen: No, not at all. It’s amazing and when it happens, I pinch myself, and say, ‘Oh, I’m going back to America again! What is it about these guys that they keep inviting me!’ So many women have gone through what I’ve gone through. You ask yourself, how is it that it’s you who is required and privileged to come and talk to other people.
I am passionate about mother-to-child transmission, because I’ve lost Nomthunzi, and in her honor I’ll do anything to save a child’s life and to comfort mother’s all over the world and say you know what, you can still make a difference.
I used to think when I have other kids—I have 2 beautiful boys now who are HIV negative—and I used to think that the interest would be less and I would have an excuse, because I’m a mother now I can’t do it. The truth is there is still so much to be done regardless of funding and new policies that have been written and programs that have been introduced.
Riley: What other type of work and advocacy do you want to concentrate on?
Allen: Our voices as women, especially women who have gone through some of these systems, are important, and it’s important to hold another woman’s hand and say you can still fight, and I’m here with you. Those things keep me going.
The other thing is as an Ambassador of The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and as a person who’s done much advocacy I see the passion in what other mothers are doing. We have a blog called A Mother’s Fight. And that blog for me is just telling the story in different ways. I’d like to encourage more and more women to get into the blog and talk about their stories and share with other mothers.
You know about Elizabeth Glaser how she lost Ariel and how she fought for her kids? I see her as a very good role model. If we can be here for the next generation for whoever needs us to fight the mother’s fight then I’ll do that anytime.
Riley: I do remember Elizabeth and her story. She and Ryan White were the two people who educated me about HIV and AIDS . . . After losing Ariel, Elizabeth’s grief became the catalyst for creating The Pediatric AIDS Foundation and her advocacy work. Your story is very similar. Do you feel this empowering connection with her?
Allen: I do. Strange enough when you walk into the office her smiling face is in one of the pictures right at the door, greeting you. In a way mine is a similar story, similar to hers. And the fact that she’s not here now but she fought this fight of a mother encourages people like me. Her organization funded a place I used to work, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, and I saw how much people’s lives were transformed. Not only was sharing my story as an HIV-positive person giving hope to the women, but suddenly there also was medication they could take to have HIV-negative children. Elizabeth will always be my hero. And I know one day we will meet in heaven. She is an inspiration to all of us. And I look at her in the pictures, read about her, and mention the name every day and it’s encouragement for me to fight even harder.
Riley: Can you explain antiretroviral treatment and PMTCT and how they helped you have 2 sons who are HIV-negative?
Allen: PMTCT is Prevention of mother-to-child transmission.
If a mother is HIV-positive she can pass the virus to her baby through conception, through utero, through delivery, or through breast milk. Transmission of HIV from a mother to her child can be prevented during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding through the use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and antiretroviral (ARV) drugs.
We are fighting for PMTCT in Africa and the PMTCT transmission rate has been cut in half. There are 1,000 children born with HIV in Africa versus here in America where you have 100 to 200 children born with HIV a year. We have made good strides to prevent mother to child transmission and we’re hoping in 2015 that there will be an elimination of Pediatric AIDS transmission.
Riley: Florence, you’ve mentioned several times about an HIV free generation. Do you really see that in the near future?
Allen: We have hope. I have hope. I never thought today I’d be as healthy as I am. In our country, in South Africa, we hosted the World Cup in 2010 and I remember we won and everyone was so excited. I wasn’t. Because I never thought I was going to be there in 2010. Funny enough, in 2010 I was expecting my youngest child, and I was healthy. And I was moving forward.
So this year regardless I’m trying to study and try other things that I’ve never tried before. If a cure comes, it will come, and hopefully I’ll still be there. If it doesn’t come, I will fight as much as I can. The most important thing for me now is using every minute of my day to make a difference at this. It is important for me to continue doing this job. And I see how I can become a grandmother one day and see my grandchildren. And if not, I’d rather have gone down having fought this fight. It’s important for me.
The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation is a global leader in the fight against pediatric HIV and AIDS. They’re working in 15 countries around the world to provide HIV prevention, care, and treatment services for children, women, and families—with a mission to eliminate pediatric AIDS.
Visit their website at www.PEDAIDS.org to learn more about Pediatric AIDS and how you can support the organization. Be sure to check out their blog, A Mother’s Fight. You can also connect with EGPAF on Facebook and Twitter.
The Holstee Manifesto
To be honest, I don’t remember where or how I discovered The Holstee Manifesto. What I do remember is the way it opened my eyes, awakening me from a mid-life slumber. A simple declaration scattered with life altering statements: Do what you love. Travel Often. Share your passion. Stop overanalyzing. Life is short.
Crafted on the steps of Union Square, brothers Mike and Dave Radparvar along with friend Fabian Pfortmüller wrote their definition of success. The three partners express it wasn’t a business plan, more so a life plan, but it’s metamorphosed into all of those things and more. Its organic success mirrors the principles that makeup Holstee’s environment and community. It’s obvious the moment you step through their doors. From employee bike credits to staff prepared healthy lunches, Holstee practices what it preaches—Lifestyle design with a conscience. I sat down with co-founder Mike Radparvar at the Holstee office in Dumbo, and we chatted about all things Holstee, the message, the growth, and the future.
Life of Riley: Shared more than 500,000 times, and viewed online 60 million times, and counting, The Holstee Manifesto resonates with so many. Why do you think people connect with it?
Mike Radparvar: We were really surprised to see how well it resonated. When we wrote the Manifesto it was for ourselves. We said let’s write down something that can be a definition of a successful life. Let’s write our own definition. There are so many different ways that everyone is telling you what you need to be successful or you’re not successful until you have this.
We thought, we’re starting a new company and a kind of lifestyle and a framework to play in. And so we needed our own definition of success. So we sat down in Union Square, and we all decided to write down different elements that were important to us. The things that came out of that mini brainstorm were reminders that we’re not financially driven: Be open to new ideas, travel, share what’s important, always being open about what your passionate about and pursuing that.
We recently had quit our jobs, and I think that because it came from a deep place inside of us, it was very human emotions we were thinking about. It was not specific to a certain organization or a demographic. This was just like in life, what things are important. And those things hold true no matter where you come from in life, no matter what language you speak, no matter what age you are.
Riley: Was The Manifesto’s success unexpected?
Radparvar: If anyone would have told us when we wrote it what would happen, we could never have guessed it. It’s taken on a life of its own. We’ve been totally blown away by that.
Dave Radparvar, Fabian Pfortmüller, and Mike Radparvar
Riley: That was 2009. Do the founders still live by those original words?
Radparvar: That is something we’re trying to make a point of every day. It is the basis of how we are building our company. It’s the basis of what we’re doing, the products we’re designing, and it’s the common thread between our products and the lifestyle they encourage.
Riley: Explain more about that idea of products encouraging a lifestyle.
Radparvar: If you were to look at our shop, there are no specific product categories on our site. It looks like a mash up of a lot of different products—we have a water bottle, a bag, a belt, a tee shirt, a poster. After someone relates to those products a little more you begin to see the thread of not so much what those products are but the type of lifestyle they encourage.
Anytime you buy anything you’re voting with your dollar and you’re sending a signal to someone somewhere all the way up the supply chain saying do more. I totally approve of this, and this is how I’m showing it. That is a very powerful way to drive change—people understanding what is the impact of how they’re spending money.
Riley: Holstee has been experiencing amazing growth. As you bring new people on board, can you tell readers how you select the ideal employee?
Radparvar: Every new hire is a big deal to us. We take it very seriously. It’s like bringing someone into your family. We want to build something long term with our employees. Every single person on the team can change the dynamic. We look for someone who is not afraid to do anything. Open-minded. Interested in creating positive impact through good design.
Riley: Speaking of family. I noticed your mom’s comment on a recent blog post, which I thought was pretty cool. Has your family been supportive in this venture?
Radparvar: At first our parents were a little cautious of our quitting our jobs.
The recession was getting worse. The company I worked for was laying off people. My mom was really happy I didn’t get laid off and the next week I was telling her I was planning on going in and quitting. But I think we flew under the radar because my sister was getting married in a couple of weeks. So all the attention was on her.
There was a little bit of ‘are you sure this is a good idea?’ We just explained how this was important to us. We had been setting aside money. And we told her this is what we’re going to do now for the next few months. When you really think about it and say what’s the worst thing that can happen to me in the next 2 to 3 months, all of a sudden you’re free to take some risks. When you’re in a position to take a calculated risk like that, a smart risk, you almost have a responsibility to do so.
Now our parents are our biggest supporters. Anytime we post anything on Facebook our mom’s the first one to like it. Her Facebook profile has been the Manifesto for the past two years.
Riley: Your site is uniquely diverse. Do you keep that in mind when you create or promote products? Or does it organically happen?
Radparvar: It kind of organically happens, now that there are so many great companies with a kick ass purpose.
Riley: I know from our last interview that you’ve been working on the product story. What exactly does that mean? And how will it impact the end user?
Radparvar: Looking forward we want to do something that helps build the story of the products you buy. The yarn came from this place and the button came from this place . . . Building a platform.
A lot of the products we have probably traveled more than most people have traveled in their lives. And they come from more places and have been touched by more hands. There’s such an incredible story of how they got to where they are. If we really knew the story, from raw material to its current state we’d have more respect for that plastic bottle.
Riley: What can we expect in the near future for Holstee?
Radparvar: We’re looking into milling our own paper. We are letter pressing a lot of posters and cards. We’re cautious about the types of paper we’re using. We’ve built a very strong relationship with those we’re sourcing them from. If we do our own milling, then the options really open up—Paper made from tee shirt scraps, jeans. People could send in their jeans, or we could work with a large company that makes jeans and take their dead stock.
Riley: Okay, I’m just gonna ask: How does it feel to be so cool?
Radparvar: It’s kind of surreal. So many people know the Manifesto.
People come over to our place for dinner, and we have the manifesto in a frame when you first walk in. And they say, oh the Manifesto, you’ve got that too.
And we say actually wrote it. And they’re amazed. If we’d ever tried to create something with the intention of it going crazy it never would have. It’s because we wrote it for ourselves, and it came from a very real place—people connect with it. You have to just do it and do what feels right.
Fabian, Mary, Dave, and Mike
To learn more about Holstee and their eco-friendly products, visit www.Holstee.com. You can also connect with Holstee on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
by Guest Blogger Tracy Kaler
Tracy Kaler is a columnist/freelancer for Metro.us, a contributing editor for The West Side Rag, and writes for small businesses. She lives in Manhattan with her husband, Mike, a neurotic Chocolate Lab, Bogey, and a food-obsessed cat, Mimi. Tracy’s also working on her first book. You can read more about Tracy’s New York adventures on her blog Tracy’s New York Life.
Life of Riley