HBT: When did you first become interested in wine?

HJ: I worked at a restaurant called L’Etoile in Madison, WI while finishing college and the cellar there was heavily curated by Thierry Thiesse. I thought the concept of wine maker as farmer and the introduction to the idea of terroir were fascinating. When I moved to Los Angeles I worked at Craft, which exposed me to a vast array of wines not only regionally but also lots of older wines. Each producer tells a story with their vines and choices in production.

HBT: Do you have a favorite region?

HJ: If I had to choose I would say Burgundy. But recently the hill of Breze in Saumur has really struck a chord.

HBT: How does Helen’s stand out from other wine shops in LA?

HJ: Every wine shop is, or should be, a subjective experience and curation of that buyer’s palate. So essentially what makes my store different is that it is inherently me. It is wines that I have tasted, that I believe in and that all have balance and quality. It is also a very tight curation so instead of flooding the consumer with an excess of choice or trying to cram in every label possible to make me look cool or flushed out, I practice a less is more approach that I think people are really enjoying.

HBT: I love the intimate vibe in Helen’s. For those who haven’t had the pleasure of visiting, please describe the atmosphere.

HJ: Its a gem box. Its a beautifully designed room that is warm with white oak, cozy with rugs and surrounds visitors with bottles of hand selected wine.

HBT: How does Helen’s interact with Jon and Vinny’s?

HJ: The two are intrinsically connected and yet in some ways separate. Helen’s is a business within Jon & Vinny’s but it is also a part of the restaurant. The retail store acts as a cellar for the restaurant, so essentially there are two prices for every bottle. The wine list that diners peruse has everything on it that’s in the physical store. And everything in the store is also priced retail. Guests can order bottles off the list and if they like it they can take a bottle home at retail cost. The other night a guy bought a whole case of the Toscana rosso we were pouring by the glass because he liked it so much. We also have lots of people who cruise by and park in the back and just shop retail.

HBT: Every single wine you have ever served me has been delicious. How do you pick your wines?

HJ: I choose from a catalog of wine and producers that I have tasted, followed, read about and loved. Helen’s is a celebration of these old favorites and new producers that I find exciting. I do a lot of reading, researching and meeting with different importers who carry producers that I am into. The process is also thinking about making sure the selection is well rounded and balanced.

HBT: Rumor has it that you deliver wine all around LA. What! Tell me this is true!

HJ: The wine delivery component is incredibly exciting. We will feature different bottles of wine on the website that will change monthly and be curated based on a theme. You can go online, shop and add to your cart and we can deliver it to your door! People can also peruse the entire store’s selections upon request or work on-on-one with me to get something specific and we will delivery that as well.

HBT: What can one expect when they join Helen’s Wine Club?

HJ: I am still hammering out the name of this club but the program is launching soon. You can sign up for $88 per month and I will send you three bottles per month that are exciting and allocated. Its a cool way to try new things and also get something exclusive.

HBT: Show me three awesome wines under twenty-five bucks.
HJ: 1. 2014 Corbieres, Gris de Gris, Domaine Fonsainte, 2. 2013 Muscadet, Clos des Alees, Luneau Papin
3. NV Crémant de Loire Rose, Chateau de Brézé

HBT: What’s your favorite thing to drink after a long day of work?

HJ: I drink a lot of Gerolsteiner!! It’s sparkling mineral water…I know, LAME! I like to drink wine with friends and with dinner but probably if I was unwinding after a long day with my girls I would opt for some gorgeous rose, like the Sancerre Rose from Francois Crochet or a buoyant and soft Gamay like my absolutely favorite Morgan from Foillard in the Cotes du Py.

HBT: Who are your mentors?

HJ: I wish I had more mentors! I have to acknowledge my partners Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo for always encouraging me to be true to myself and we have always followed our own path. It’s something that is so important not only in business but in life. I really admire Caroline Styne and everything that she has accomplished in this city, it is truly inspiring. Jay Z has always been my mentor since day one. And Diane Keaton but neither of them are in this field but they both love wine.

HBT: How does LA inspire you business and your vision?

HJ: I have met some of the most interesting and inspiring people since moving to Los Angeles. People who have helped me believe in myself and follow my dreams. I think that Los Angeles fosters the promise of creativity and a certain level of freedom that I never felt growing up in New York. It has definitely allowed me the confidence to do things a little bit differently and break from convention.

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Heather Taylor: What is the concept behind Paper Chase Press and how did it begin?

Nicole Katz: When my parents started Paper Chase almost 40 years ago they set out to be a resource for high quality printing. They developed a business that catered to creative industries and worked with exciting clients in the worlds of art, fashion, and film. Now that my husband and I run the company we’ve sought to carry on this tradition and to also bring this same level of craftsmanship and service to the general public.

HT: How can an average person work with PCP?

NK: I can’t think of a single type of business that wouldn’t benefit from having access to beautifully printed media and the same goes for our own personal projects. Who wouldn’t want their wedding invitations or photo books to be exquisitely printed and bound by hand? If you don’t have access to a graphic designer or to professional design software, that doesn’t mean you have to settle for mediocre materials. You can make any of our signature products by building them directly on the Paper Chase website with our new design platform.

HT: What are some LA-based brands that you work with?

NK: Citizens of Humanity, MOCA, LACMA, The Hammer, Commune, Kelly Wearstler, Smashbox, J Brand, Focus Features

HT: What are some of your favorite projects you have worked on?

NK: Sometimes it’s not just about the project itself, but the people you get to work with. We did a suite of retail goods for Bookmarc last year that were really fun because of the great folks involved.Another fun project we do is MOCA’s annual gala invitations. Each year the design and format is really different from the year prior, so it’s always exciting and new. And for this year’s invites we debuted our new colored-edge finishing, so they ended up being a great showcase for this new service we’re offering.

HT: Let’s talk about Paper Cuts. How did you come up with the idea and how did you decide who to collaborate with?

NK: Over the years we’ve been really lucky to work with some remarkable clients and organizations. We wanted to find a way to create fun collaborations with them that would showcase the best of their brand alongside the work that we do.

HT: Do you have a dream fantasy project for PCP?

NK: Yes, stash books! I’ve been thinking a lot about making books with their centers cutout for secret storage of your unmentionables.

HT: Favorites of the moment…

Magazine? Alla Carta
Book? Diary of a Sea Captain’s Wife by Margaret Holden Eaton
Movie? Since my son was born last year I think I’ve gone to one movie and I cant even remember what it was!
City to visit? Mexico City
Local restaurant? Izaka-ya by Katsu-ya, the best Japanese junk food in town.
Piece of business advice? Always be the best at what you do.

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Heather Taylor: What was your idea behind opening the Kneeland Co Research library?

Joanna Williams: It’s actually something I have been thinking about for the past few years. I’ve amassed an incredible collection of magazine tear sheets and books on design, fashion, art, textiles, and objects over the years and I always wanted to catalog them and figure out a way to share them with the rest of the world. Fashion magazines played a big role in my life growing up and allowed me to daydream and escape from the small town I grew up in.  They really gave me a fresh, creative perspective on the world and I just knew that I had to dream big and live an inspiring life.  I was exposed to a lot of culture at a very young age through traveling and hanging out with my older brother whom I looked up to, and I started reading a lot of music magazines and lifestyle magazines like Hobo, Index, Bikini, etc. It allowed me to tie everything together and really develop my own personal aesthetic. Many of those magazines closed a long time ago so I feel fortunate to still have some of them.  I always joke that magazines saved my life, but I think it’s kind of true!  I started my blog, Keep Feeling Fascination, in 2007 with the idea of posting inspiring images from some of my favorite magazines and it felt so gratifying.  Since then I’ve started my own Textile and Consulting Studio as well as an online store and have developed a really solid network of clients, and during that time my library of research material has grown even more. I thought it seemed like the right time to offer this creative service.

HT: How can someone use it?

JW: Clients can either visit and comb through curated images that are organized by fashion editorials, fashion ads, interiors, travel, and shopping, or search through books and magazines focused on photography, musicians, graphics, textiles, decorating, and much more. In other words, it’s a more organic and exploratory way of doing research.  In addition, consulting is offered on various topics.  For example, a client can get in touch with a specific interest such as “1970’s California surf culture” or “Post-War Modernism in Interiors” and based on those topics a variety of images and research will be edited, organized and presented.  The Research Library is open by appointment.

HT: What are your five favorite items in the KCRL?

JW: My collection of Index Magazines, early 2000’s fashion ads, a vintage book on Nigerian nomads, old Mark Borthwick tear sheets, and books by David Hicks

HT: Where do YOU go for inspiration?

JW: Everywhere!  I’m inspired by many things and many aesthetics.  I love traveling for inspiration and I also like being around and meeting interesting, inspiring people.  And of course I have my favorite top secret places that I frequent for inspiration.  ; )

HT: What’s on your inspiration board?

JW: Photos of textile designer and Russian socialite Olya Thompson, Art Deco embroidery swatches, the forever boss Kate Moss, photos of Dries Van Noten’s garden in Antwerp, 1940’s floral prints, a photo of Carolina Herrera-Baez wearing a blue and white dress sitting on an armchair with her son against a blue and white toile rooster curtain, a sequined embroidered ballerina I found in Mexico, one of my custom embellishment designs, and a photo of Guinevere Van Seenus lounging in a pile of flowers.

HT: What’s new and exciting in Kneeland Mercado?

JW: For the online store, Kneeland Mercado, I’m focusing more on collaborations with artists who work in many different mediums to create exclusive products.  There will be more one-of-a-kind products that you won’t be able to find anywhere else.

HT: Favorites of the moment…

Magazine? Apartamento, World of Interiors, Porter (for the editorials), L’Officiel
Album? Electrelane – The Power Out (oldie but goodie)
Movie? Obvious Child
City to visit? Always Paris and Mexico City
Nail polish color? YSL Safran
Piece of business advice? Take risks and don’t be afraid to fail, for failure is a mask for a better opportunity. 
Place to get a chai tea latte? Random Tea Room in Philadelphia

The post Seeking a Creative Jolt? Welcome to the Kneeland Co. Research Library appeared first on LA in Bloom.

Heather Taylor: What is the philosophy behind Good Eggs? 

Meg Glasser: Good Eggs mission is to grow and sustain local food systems worldwide. We make shopping for healthy, local, sustainably grown and produced food easy and accessible.

HT: Please describe your role at the company and tell us about a typical day at the office.

MG: I am the City Lead, which means I have my eye on just about everything that the Los Angeles team is doing. I work closely with the hub in San Francisco to see that the work we’re doing in LA aligns with the big picture goals of Good Eggs. In a typical work day I may be meeting with our management team, reviewing our budget, brainstorming where our next Pickup Spots will be stationed, having a one on one meeting with one of our staff, or discussing partnership ideas with a Community Stakeholder. 

HT: Please list five things about Good Eggs are you most excited about right now.

MG: 1. Free Delivery! We are offering free delivery throughout LA, four days a week.

2. Mobile shopping. Type “goodeggs.com” into your browser on your smart phone and you can shop while you’re on the go. It has a beautiful interface and is super easy to use.

3. Our incredible assortment of local groceries. We have 125 local producers selling on Good Eggs, including Cook Pigs, Red Bread, Little Flower, Grist & Toll, Straus Creamery, SQIRL, Bread Lounge and so many more.

4. Our Passover and Easter marketplace. On Monday we launched our Passover and Easter marketplace so people can shop for their favorite holiday eats and have them delivered in time for their holiday celebrations. 

5. Our Opening! On April 7th we officially opened and we are now operating at full capacity. On Saturday, April 12 from 2 -6 we have a big foodhub Opening party. This is a family-friendly event with live latin music and dancing, plenty of food and drink, face painting, a mini-farm and other delicious activities. We’re expecting around 500 people at our beautiful new ware-home in Frogtown, one block from the LA River bike path. You can look forward to beer from Angel City, tamales from Mama’s Hot Tamales, Handsome coffee, bread from Bread Lounge and Homeboy Bakery + SO much more. You can buy tickets here.

HT: In part, Good Eggs is about supporting local farms and small companies while encouraging people to eat responsibly. What are easy and affordable steps that anyone can take to eat in a more socially conscious way? 

MG: Good Eggs is on a mission to grow the local food economy. We know that supporting small and medium sized food businesses located in and around our foodsheds makes for more healthy communities, economies and citizens. One of the best things people can do to eat in a more socially conscious way is to eat in season. Its cheaper and way more delicious and nutritious. In addition, buy more whole food and less processed food. Also cook! Eating out is fun and easy, but when you buy your own ingredients and put your own meals together, you have control over where your food comes from and it’s more affordable. Plus who doesn’t love a home cooked meal with friends and family?! And lastly, try growing some of your own food. Herbs are an easy place to start.

HT: What’s next for Good Eggs?

MG: We will be offering delivery 5 days a week by May! And by the end of the summer all of our groceries will be delivered in reusable packaging making our operation even more sustainable and green. And finally, we will be offering local beer and wine in our marketplace this year! 

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In the past several years both women have had become mothers and there is no doubt that this lifestyle change has informed the launch of their now coveted collection of quilts, Hopewell. Jeana Sohn and I dropped by their new studio to see what the designers were up to. And they agreed to answer a few questions about building their business, where they seek design inspiration and what makes working creatively in LA so damn great right now. AND they are offering LA in Bloom readers a 15% discount on all quilts purchased on their website though March, 7, 2014 (enter coupon code LAINBLOOM at checkout).

HBT: What led you to start a quilting company?

Eliza: I’ve been quilting for 12 years and Claire has been painting for at least that long. We had wanted to collaborate for a long time and loved the idea of seeing what would happen when we intersected my architectural background with her intuitive color palette. We both have small children and saw quilts as a beautiful and functional product that could add color and warmth to a space.

HBT: What are your design influences or inspirations?

Eliza: My friends and the landscapes around me. I love being surrounded by people that make things: filmmakers, animators, clothing designers, the quilters in the LA Modern Quilt Guild, and my 5 year old daughter. Los Angeles is full of amazing artists and designers, to list names would take hours. My art history influences are easier to list; Agnes Martin, Louise Bourgeois, Anni Albers, Gunta Stolzl, Sheila Hicks, Charlotte Perriand, Eileen Gray, Isadora Duncan.

HBT: What are your five favorite things about having a small business in LA?

Claire: 1. COMMUNITY
The creative community in LA is a growing network of artists and friends that is ever inspiring one another, collaborating with one another, and supporting one another. It’s a special scene of which we are grateful to be a part.

2. WEATHER
It may be a running joke, but the 75 degree weather is truly unbeatable. Some work days are spent in our backyards painting or cutting fabric. It changes our moods, thus changing the way we work.

3. NATURE
Eliza and I live in the canyons, on the edge of Griffith Park. Coyotes, hawks, and rabbits are part of our daily landscape. It’s rare to have such natural beauty right on the outskirts of urban sprawl, and after a day stuck in traffic or with your head buried in your computer, it’s nice to be reminded that we are a part of something larger.

4. RESOURCES
Downtown LA is a cornucopia of all things imaginable. Neighboring the garment district makes it that much easier to keep our products not only made in the USA, but made right here in LA!

5. WEATHER
Let’s be honest, it’s worth listing twice.

HBT: What advice would you give for people who want to start a small business?

Claire: Don’t assess the difficulty of what lay before you, just jump in with both feet and learn as you go. You will surprise yourself at what you can achieve.

HBT: What’s next for Hopewell?

Claire: Not only do we have a new collection of quilts soon to come out, but we are working diligently to expand our product line. We’re really excited about introducing a few children’s garments, as well as throws, floor pillows, and paper goods. To get notified when these products become available, as well as information on sales, please email us at info@hopewellworkshop and ask us to add you to our mailing list.

Photography by Jeana Sohn

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