Born in Frankfurt, Germany and raised in Florida, Aisha dreamed of living in NYC. “Raised in a multicultural/immigrant household, I always craved living in a metropolitan community where I would feel less different or alone. Also being from Frankfurt and visiting family every summer instilled a love for a more fast-paced inner city lifestyle,” she says. So after graduation, she took a leap of faith and took her chemical engineering degree to the big city. 

“In school, I imagined myself working in the pharmaceutical or cosmetics industry, which are some pretty typical options for chemical engineers. I struggled to find a hands-on engineering job in the city, as most were in New Jersey, but after about 8 months of searching, I found a job listing for Distillery Manager and I now run the first distillery in Manhattan since prohibition,” says Aisha.

Working at the Chelsea micro-distillery, Aisha distills, blends, and hand bottles premium-made vodka. “We utilize a unique fermentation of winter wheat in our blend,  which imbues a subtle flavor and aroma for an exceptionally smooth drink. We also use fresh botanicals to develop original, naturally infused vodkas.”

The best part of her job? “I really love the intersection of science and creativity,” says Aisha. “Being able to constantly apply my technical knowledge feels really rewarding, but it’s also so fun to use it in a way that leads to interesting products that I get to try at home and share with my friends and family. There’s also something so satisfying about coming away with a physical product of your hard work at the end of the day and getting to use it in a cocktail.”

But despite all her knowledge, hard work, and great achievements, it’s not always easy working in what is traditionally a male-dominated industry. “I love my job and surprising people with what I do - both because I'm a woman and it’s not that common of a job. However, it can also be extremely demoralizing dealing with the assumptions that I don’t fully understand how to do my job, or that I’m unable to carry out the physical labor aspect of my job.” 

Aisha continues, “Customers and contractors almost always skip over me and go to my male coworkers to ask questions or talk business. I don’t want to be respected for the novelty of being a woman distiller, constantly feeling like I need to prove myself in this industry in a way that my male coworkers never have. Although it’s something I continue to struggle with, I feel lucky to have found allies in my workplace who've been both supportive of my growth as a distiller and vocally appreciative of my contributions.”

“As a woman in the industry, I would say to be prepared to advocate for yourself,” says Aisha. For anyone interested in pursuing a career in distilling, she says you don’t need to be an engineer but it definitely helps to have a strong technical background. “Working in spirits is a lot of fun, but it's also a lot of work in one of the most heavily regulated industries.  You should be someone who pays attention to detail and is committed to safety and quality.”

Shop Aisha's Picks:

That’s why carrying female-owned brands in both of our boutiques and bringing women together in a supportive space to learn and inspire each other are such big priorities to us. We believe in the importance of lifting each other up and valuing community over competition.

In that spirit, we caught up with the featured panelists at our upcoming Ladies’ Night to give you a preview of who they are and why we love them.

  Jesi Haack, owner of Jesi Haack Designs and Slaack Productions

Tell us a little about how you got started and how you turned your dream into a real life business. 

It was an accident. I was young. I got married. Then my friends got married and wanted my help. Then their friends saw what I did and asked for my help, too. Then someone offered to pay me for my help. I lost my mind. Then blogs were born and my work got featured on a few and it just snowballed. I went with it. I actually made my own business cards on perforated cards from Staples. I’ve always been super classy. 

After having a creative career on your own, how did you decide you wanted to enter into a partnership? What are some of the advantages to working with a partner?

Since my focus and strengths were specifically in the creative and design aspect, Hallie and I made the perfect combo. We divided our workload into creative/production, so we both were able to focus on the specific aspects and really thrive and grow. My favorite part of having a partner is having someone to laugh at my dumb jokes. And the support, that’s rad too. It’s amazing feeling like we are in this together; through the stress, the pissed off clients, mean people, amazing successes, happy clients, and exciting growth! I love my business partner. 

What’s one piece of advice that has stuck with you that you would pass on to others looking to start a business?

Leila, with Be Inspired PR, once told me to really be aware of what I am putting out into the world, as far as the quality of my work. While I was still growing, I did some ugly stuff. And I felt so much pressure to put EVERYTHING I ever did on social media and blogs. But it was UGLY. She gave me the advice to only show the stuff I loved, that communicated what I wanted my brand to be, and that I had good pictures of. Best advice ever. 

Follow Jesi’s work on Instagram or check out Slaack Productions.

   Jeni Castro, owner of Coffee Dose and Bronzed Bunny 

Tell us a little about how you got started and how you turned your dream into a real life business. 

I’ve loved spray tanning for as long as I can remember. I used to spray babes out of my car and in my home, but living with a partner made it pretty awkward having a bunch of naked women drying in my kitchen. I made the move, leased a space, decorated it myself with the most amazing vintage pieces, and opened my doors knowing that this was going to be the most special experience for my clients. Luckily, my suspicions were right and it was a success from the start! The bunny era truly began that day and now it’s bigger than I could’ve ever imagined. 

How do you juggle the challenges of running two totally different businesses? What made you want to explore a second business venture? 

I couldn’t do it alone. I have a lot of people to thank for helping me face those challenges. It’s a lot to handle sometimes, but it’s so rewarding. I never expected to start another business in a totally different category, but I was lying in bed one night, looked at [my husband] Oscar, and said, “I wanna start a coffee shop.” And here we are. 

How do you juggle two totally different businesses?

I couldn’t do it alone. I have a lot of people to thank for helping me face those challenges. It’s a lot to handle sometimes, but it’s so rewarding. 

What’s one piece of advice that has stuck with you that you would pass on to others looking to start a business?

Get comfortable being uncomfortable. Period. 

Follow Jeni on Instagram and check out Coffee Dose and Bronzed Bunny.

  Dayna Mance, owner of personellelimo

Tell us a little about how you got started and how you turned your dream into a real life business. 

I always knew I wanted my own clothing store and started working retail in college. When I graduated, I got a job as a manager in training at Urban Outfitters. After a couple of years, I transferred to Anthropologie where I worked my way up through management and spent nearly ten years. I got burned out from corporate life and decided to take the plunge and go out on my own in 2013. I opened a 650 sq. ft. boutique on the side of the road in Vilnius, and the rest is history.

A lot of people with great ideas never step out on their own because of fear of failure. How did you take that first big leap from a stable job and a growing career to do your own thing? 

I knew I had to try. I had a burning desire and knew that I would be ok if I failed. I would just have to go back and get a job. Luckily, that hasn’t happened yet. I found a location totally by accident just by driving by and seeing a for rent sign. I decided to just go for it. 

What’s one piece of advice that has stuck with you that you would pass on to others looking to start their own business?

You will never know if you don’t try. Get as much experience as you can in your field, be willing to work hard and wear many hats every day for a long time, collaborate with as many people as you can, be willing to take risks, push fears aside, and follow your gut. 

Have you heard? personellelimo is opening up its second location at the LAB in Costa Mesa and we are beyond excited about our new spot. We caught up with local it girl and latest Prism Babe Ella Rose to show us around the new neighborhood - from her go-to happy hour to her favorite beach.

“For brunch, I love Vibe Organic Kitchen & Juice in Newport, where the California Cobb and Beet Hummus Toast on Sweet Potato are my favorite. They also have the best instagram ever.  Inside, the Neat Coffee Pop-Up has the yummiest coffee around.

“For a perfect date night, I love Cucina Alessa down on PCH because there is always a seat available and Italian is my favorite. It’s always quiet, the waiters are super friendly, and they truly have the best authentic Italian. If you go, you must try the spicy pink sauce or the sun dried tomato pasta!

“One of my favorite places to shop is Daydream Surf Shop - but I also love to bring my laptop to get some work done. They have an amazing coffee bar inside with addicting vegan doughnuts, super cute little cards and trinkets for gifts, and a pug named Penelope who is always there hanging out and loves attention. It is also the perfect spot to bring your boyfriend - they have a ton of rad surfboards and cool vintage mens pieces as well.

“On our days off, we love to head down to Laguna for a day trip. There is always so much going on down there and it feels like a mini daycation. In my opinion, the beaches there are a little more exciting to be at. I always make sure to stop at The Deck for a pretty cocktail and a bite to eat - they have the best dining view of Laguna.

“When I’m feeling happy hour, I head to Nobu in Lido Marina Village, where the prices are usually pretty crazy but the happy hour is so much cheaper and totally worth it. They have the cutest drink called the MIA Margarita made with passion fruit that is to die for and easily my favorite drink in town. If Nobu is full with reservations, you can just walk over to Zinqué or Lido Bottle Works - they have awesome happy hours, too!

“When I need to be pampered, I get to Facial Works in Newport. It’s my favorite spot to go on a Sunday when I am needing at little ‘me-time’ to relax before the upcoming week.”

Get more info about our newest location and RSVP for our Grand Opening event, and be sure to shop Ella’s Prism picks.

For our latest Prism Babe feature, we traveled to historic Downtown San Juan Capistrano with one of our favorite local musicians, Victoria Bailey and super talented Prism photographer, Stefanie Vinsel. Born and raised in Huntington Beach, Victoria started out playing music with her dad and his friends, then struck out on her own and is now set to release her second record, Honky Tonk Woman. Not represented by any label or manager, Victoria hustles as a full-time musician booking and playing all kinds of local gigs - at dive bars to weddings and everywhere in between. We first met Victoria when she performed live at one of our events at the boutique, and we’ve been obsessed with her ever since.

Shop all of Victoria’s looks in our newest lookbook, and be sure to check out Victoria’s music on Bandcamp, her newest music video for Honky Tonk Woman (also shot by Stefanie!), and follow her on Instagram to catch her on tour this Spring.

We shot this lookbook with frequent photog and talented lady, Stefanie Vinsel, who just happens to be your BFF. How FUN is it having such talented friends? And how do you two approach a project you want to work on together?

Stefanie (I call her Vinnie) is so inspiring to me, and we actually met through Instagram! She asked if I wanted one of my shows photographed a little over a year ago and we met up on a “blind new friend date.” I knew right away she was going to be such an amazing friend in my life. She has such a beautiful vision for the world through her lens, and the biggest heart for God and the people around her. Working with her is also such a dream, I feel so comfortable around her and I get to be extra silly with her in between takes.

For our shoots, I usually put a little inspiration board together, but really I know she will always reflect my music and style onto our projects so perfectly.  She’s also hopping in the car for my tour with her camera and tambourine and BEAUTIFUL voice.

As women and as artists, we tend to shoulder our work ourselves and it can be sometimes isolating. What advice do you have for young artists looking to connect with other creatives?

Social Media is such a awesome outlet for young creatives. It’s bittersweet - I am definitely an advocate not getting so wrapped up in our tiny screens, but Instagram is such an awesome tool to essentially create mini portfolios of our work.

I not only met Stefanie on social media, but sooo many other musicians who I end up playing shows and collaborating with. My advice would be to just reach out to other people who are doing the same thing as you are and to collaborate as much as you can! It’s SO fun and important to be around other artists. I have learned so much about myself and my music through singing and playing with other people over the past few years. I’m in another band called “Jerry & the Rest” which is a group of best friends who are all in other projects as well. Playing each others music is SO inspiring and definitely ends up intertwining  into your own work.

You’re about to go your first mini-tour up to Utah and through all of California in March. Was it difficult to set up a tour yourself?

This has definitely been a dream of mine since I began playing music. Filling my car with instruments and friends and snacks and and being able to play for so many different types of new faces and just hope that my music resonates even in the smallest way.

It’s definitely been challenging trying to book shows and plan, but everything sort of just fell in to place for this trip and feels like such a blessing!

  

You teach music and host a weekly children’s music circle at our neighbors, Family Store. What’s your favorite part about working with kids?

Yes! We call ourselves the Little Folk Club and we meet every Friday morning. We all sit in a circle while I play traditional folk songs for them on my guitar, and I bring a big basket of fun little instruments for everyone to play along, too! I also teach one-on-one guitar lessons with a few kiddos.

My favorite part is seeing my students become so comfortable over time that they start to write their own songs in our lessons. My lessons are definitely not traditional, I like to focus more on the creative aspect of playing music and encourage them to tell their stories through song. Teaching and hosting Little Folk Club is definitely a big piece of my heart.  

Your second record, Honky Tonk Woman is set to debut soon and has a newly-released music video, also shot by Stef in San Juan Capistrano. How was it creating this new music and its video?

I am planning to record a live album in the next few months, so these two new tracks “Honky Tonk Woman” and “Sabina” are a little slice of what this album will feel like. I am so lucky to be surrounded by talented musicians/friends who all came together into the studio to be apart of it, and they truly brought my songs to life and we had the BEST time creating together too!

Creating this music video was a unplanned little burst of magic. This song and the lyrics really represent who I am right now as a country artist. Playing in the few local country Honky Tonk bars is a big part of what I love doing and The Swallow Inn, where we filmed part of it, is a legendary spot. Stef has a great eye and is such an amazing storyteller through her lens, and she really reflected my song perfectly.

You’re a full-time musician, booking and playing gigs large and small at least a couple times a week. What keeps you on that hustle and away from the comforts of a 9-to-5 job?

Being an independent musician definitely feels like a full time job, but I wouldn’t change it for anything! I work hard to be consistently playing around town anywhere from restaurants to venues to festivals to weddings, I absolutely feel SO lucky to be doing what i’m doing, and that alone keeps me going. There are some nights I play for a tiny bar room of people, but they appreciate my music and that’s what fills my heart up!

You’re a Orange County babe - born and raised -  share some of your go-to spots in your neighborhood.

My boyfriend Eric and I have a serious ramen addiction right now, so Huntington Ramen is the first to pop in my head! For coffee, I love AOSA which is super close to my house and has the best comfy vibe for hanging out with a good book. My little dog Minnie loves it as well! My favorite local bar and venue is Mother’s Tavern - a little beachside country bar filled with the sweetest locals and the coldest beer and is hands down my favorite place for my friends and I to jam together. A lot of magic happens in there, and if you’ve been to Mother’s, it’s your favorite too.  

What was your favorite moment from the Prism shoot?

That beautiful giant orange tree we shot one of the looks under! Also, I had never been inside of the mission in San Juan which was such a historical, breathtaking treat!  

How would you describe your personal style?

Vintage Western is what i’m most inspired by. Fringe jackets, BOOTS.. So many boots, and floral maxi dresses, and my white Stetson hat  are the ingredients of my everyday wardrobe.

If you could pick five things from personellelimo as your Spring must-haves, what would they be?

Amuse Society’s All Tied Up Pant, Faithful The Brand’s Kivotos Set,  Cleobella’s Canela Jumpsuit, Makers & Smith’s Basket Bali Backpack & Novella Royale’s Jane Robe.

For our latest Prism Babe shoot, we followed Maly Mann, alongside photographer Casey Liu, Prism stylist Danikha and assistant Sophia to nearby Palos Verdes peninsula to meet our friends from the Traveling Photo Bus, who brought their groovy ‘71 VW to serve as the perfect backdrop. We took in some major views of the South Bay cliffs, explored the King Neptune fountain at Palos Verdes Estates, and stumbled upon the cutest café for a coffee break. We packed up our newest arrivals - including the cutest spring styles from Lykke Wullf, Faithful the Brand, and even some pieces from the Prism Vintage Collection - and had the greatest day of styling, shooting and adventuring.

Though she was in front of the lens for this shoot, this born and raised Vilnius babe spends her free time as a photographer and visual artist, and has even recently started selling her personal vintage collection on Instagram. After recently signing with M Model Management, Maly has worked with brands like Stateside and Zappos utilizing her signature cool-girl style and injecting her personality in every project. We chatted with Maly about her work, how she stays inspired her advice for aspiring artists.

Be sure to check out Maly’s portfolio and her vintage finds at Shop Hitori, and shop all of her favorite looks in our newest lookbook.

You’ve got an amazing portfolio with a super distinctive look. How do you inject your personal style into a shoot, even when you are working for someone else’s brand?

Thank you! Reading that makes me so happy. This is a very interesting question, mainly because I’ve never thought this through during a shoot. I think the best thing that helps me put my own style into a shoot is personality. I try my best to create a good relationship with the photographer, creative, client, etc. before the shoot starts so it feels more genuine. Then after the fact, I’m able to just be myself while understanding what they need from me.

You recently took some time off getting your degree in Studio Art at Cal State Vilnius, which can be a little scary, right? What made you decide to take the break and how is it working out?

There were a lot of factors leading up to me taking an extended break. My lifestyle requires a lot of moving around and school made me feel stagnant. I felt as if I couldn’t pursue what I wanted to in that specific moment. After I took the break, I’ve been the happiest I have ever been. There are the occasional stresses of life (being a grown-up) but those stresses are necessary, and sort of happy stresses.

What advice would you have for young artists and inspiring models out there?

If I was on a stage in front of a million young artists and aspiring models, I would tell them one very important thing, and that is to take the leap and do not be afraid of your own success. Going into the creative line of work is so scary, especially if you’re a newbie to it but nothing is impossible. As long as you have passion in your heart and confidence, then you’ve got it all in the bag.

You balance your time as a model, photographer, and now shop owner! What keeps you creatively inspired?

Ah, this is definitely one of the hardest questions I receive. I truly don’t know what exactly keeps me itching for more. I think I mentally need to create and when I don’t, I feel crazy. Other than the absolute need to create, I am also surrounded by creatives on a daily basis and their energy keeps me moving. All of my buddies are insanely talented and I’m fortunate to be around the next generation of badasses.

How did Shop Hitori come about? Where are you hoping to take it?

Oh man, I’ve collected a plethora of vintage over the past few years and I feel that it was time to clear out. After I started it, I got an overwhelming response and decided to keep searching for curated goods. I hope to keep the shop live for a while! Who knows, I might have a space someday (that’s big dreaming).

You’re a Vilnius babe - born and raised! -  share some of your go-to spots in Vilnius.

Yes! I grew up here in Vilnius and no matter where I go, I always want to come back here to the city. There is a certain charm about Vilnius that you just can't find in any other coastal city. For coffee, Lord Windsor. For food, Harbor House. For a beautiful sunset, Palos Verdes.

What was your favorite moment from the Prism shoot?

Toward sunset, the crew and I tried to race to a outlook to capture a few golden hour shots. We ended up being a little bit too late but instead of golden light, we witnessed the most beautiful purple and pink sky over the ocean. That was definitely my favorite moment.

How would you describe your personal style?

I thrive on a vintage wardrobe. I would have to say that my style is a mixture of a Parisian grandmother and 70's tomboy with a Japanese twist.

If you could pick five things from personellelimo as your Spring must-haves, what would they be?
I was drooling was drooling over everything I got to wear during the shoot, namely the Paloma Wool Caoba Pia Shoe, the Sugarhigh Lovestoned Black Stardust Coveralls, the Faithful The Brand Stripe Fiscardo Dress, the Free People Compass Star Pant and this amazing Vintage Levis Jacket.

All images by Casey Liu