| OWL Venice

Amazing Women We Work With

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 2021

In celebration of International Women's Day, and as a proud woman-owned business, we asked some of the amazing women we work with to share their insights on empowerment, support and success.


Lindsey Wilson

Our fearless leader, building OWL Venice from the ground up since her days selling broth in the Whole Foods parking lot. 5 years later, she's the proud parent of a growing company, and soon-to-be parent of a baby boy.

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF
I'm Lindsey and I'm the founder and CEO of OWL Venice. I started making bone broth in 2015 and what started out as an act of self care, grew into more than I could have ever imagined.


WHAT EMPOWERS YOU AS A WOMAN?
Building my business has been an incredible and empowering experience for me as a woman. Holding a vision and bringing that to life, despite the obstacles and challenges that have presented themselves along the way, has taught me so much about business of course, but also myself. I've witnessed so much inner growth and expansion that has translated into how we've been able to grow as a company. Holding true to my core values and mission has been my guiding light, and I'm so proud of what I've accomplished with the help of my team!


WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR TEENAGE SELF?
Every challenge only builds character. Trust yourself and never doubt your intuition.


HOW CAN WOMEN BETTER ENABLE EACH OTHER INSTEAD OF COMPETING?
Always celebrate other women and their successes. Don't compare, everyone is on their own journey.


WHICH POWERFUL WOMAN DO YOU ADMIRE MOST?
Such a hard question. There are so many amazing women that I look up to, but I'm going to have to say my mom! She raised 3 kids, beat cancer, and is always looking for ways to be of service to her friends and family.

For more on Lindsey, follow her on Instagram and check out this blog post.


Shelby Torrese

We met Shelby after she won one of our Instagram giveaways, and knew we had to work with her. Since then she's been featured in one of our photoshoots and has recently started to contribute to the OWL Blog.

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF
My name is Shelby Torrese, and I'm a full-time matcha queen and copywriter. You can find me brewing up cold brew and whisking matcha for Palm Shade Provisions (owned by myself and my other half, Caden Kreuter), and writing for a variety of different businesses and brands!


WHAT EMPOWERS YOU AS A WOMAN?
Being the best, happiest version of myself. I've always been outwardly confident, but as I've gotten older I've learned that it's how I feel inside that will produce the most happiness. So, the most empowering thing I can do for myself as a woman is just be proud of who I am, and be my own biggest cheerleader. That ultimately serves everyone around me, too.


WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR TEENAGE SELF?
Don't try and control anyone's judgement of you. And tell your grandparents you love them more!


HOW CAN WOMEN BETTER ENABLE EACH OTHER INSTEAD OF COMPETING?
I think that's just a mindset thing. If your idea of success is being better than someone else rather than your own self, you'll never encourage anyone–women or men!


WHICH POWERFUL WOMAN DO YOU ADMIRE MOST?
That's such a tough question, there's so many! Any woman reading this, any woman hustling, any woman down in the dumps looking for a light, any woman wanting to be their best, you're admirable! At the end of the day, I admire anyone with work ethic. So if you keep going despite the obstacles, I admire YOU!

For more on Shelby, follow her on Instagram and check out Palm Shade Provisions.


Sophia Jaffe

Sophie Jaffe is an OG OWL customer, sipping our broth and frequently OWL Reset-ing for a little over 3 years (as well as starring in a couple OWL photoshoots).

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF
Hi, I’m Sophie Jaffe. I’m a Los Angeles-based health and wellness expert, superfood entrepreneur, co-host of the IGNTD podcast, yoga teacher, influencer but most importantly, I’m a mother to three beautiful children, wife, daughter sister and friend. I founded my company and wellness brand, Philosophie, with the goal of making it easier, more inspiring, and more delicious to attain optimal health and radiant wellness. I’m always looking for a way to give back to the community and frequently lead international women's empowerment workshops, moon circles, retreats, and yoga and HIIT classes.


WHAT EMPOWERS YOU AS A WOMAN?
As a mama to a baby girl, the founder and owner of a superfood company, and constantly surrounded by women who continue to love and support me - women empowerment is so important for me. Being a female entrepreneur is being proud of my femininity and also embracing my masculinity. Being a female entrepreneur is simply being an entrepreneur. I read that while there are just as many if not more female entrepreneurs but only about 80% more male-owned businesses are being funded. As a female entrepreneur, I want to create change. I’ll continue to be radically transparent and authentically me in my business. I’ll continue to speak up for women’s rights and I want to live in a world that supports other women so my own little girl can grow up feeling loved, beautiful and confident in the person she is turning out to be.


WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR TEENAGE SELF?
Embrace being a woman! Never stop being ambitious, strong, and compassionate. Ask questions, seek guidance, and don’t see this as a weakness. Build a community of women and be there to support other women—success and happiness is not a finite resource, there’s more than enough for everyone.


HOW CAN WOMEN BETTER ENABLE EACH OTHER INSTEAD OF COMPETING?
My superfood business, Philosophie is primarily run by women and my manager is a woman and runs her own female-run company. I am inspired, motivated and supported by women. Another girl's win is my win and her success is mine too. We rise by lifting each other up. Many of the women in my community are AMAZING at what they do and instead of competing with them I celebrate them. I celebrate their beauty and their success.

Women continue to set the path, refuse to accept the status quo, and fight for what they believe in. Strong, inspiring, and powerful women make us more strong, inspired and powerful. We’ll continue to break limitations, change the rules, and redefine standards. I’ll continue to use my platform to speak up, support other women doing incredible things, and be radically me.

The world needs more women. Life for us, as women, as not always been fair and we’re told to apologize for being a woman. We’re undervalued and misrepresented. Women can rise by being vulnerable - it’s intimating, yet powerful. Vulnerability is our strength.


WHICH POWERFUL WOMAN DO YOU ADMIRE MOST?
I want to share the love with my best friend and soul sister, Rachelle Tratt of The Neshama Project. She is one of the most soul-driven and resilient women I know. She is constantly inspiring me to find the deeper meaning in things and inspires me to keep going in any challenge I face.

For more on Sophie, follow her on Instagram and check out Philosophie.


Cheryl Kunitake

Cheryl is our rockstar Kitchen Manager, cooking up our delicious Broth Elixirs and leading a team at our kitchen space in downtown Los Angeles.

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF
I am a certified Chef de Cuisine by trade and have been a plant manager for the last 6 years. Currently with OWL Venice here in Lincoln Heights, I take care of running all aspects of the kitchen from ordering, scheduling, HR issues, rules and regulations, maintaining a safe and clean work environment, keeping up with current codes and record keeping. I am also a full time single mom of 3 girls who volunteers whatever extra time there is to help with their activities and just enjoy them! I am trying to raise them to be strong and independent. To follow what makes their heart and mind happy.


WHAT EMPOWERS YOU AS A WOMAN?
Always walk into a room like you know where you are going and why you are there! Being strong and confident in what I do is a couple of the most empowering things anyone could have. I have always listened and rarely impulsively reacted. I do not take much at face value and will not tolerate bull as I don't often dish out any! Knowing which battles to pick and live without regret.


WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR TEENAGE SELF?
You will go older one day...it's true, I am living proof.


HOW CAN WOMEN BETTER ENABLE EACH OTHER INSTEAD OF COMPETING?
I work in a male dominated world and never really had to compete with other women for anything so this is a difficult question to answer as I don't have much experience on the subject. As a woman in a male dominated space I have always had to struggle on my own to prove that I am more than capable of my position and worked my way up through this.


WHICH POWERFUL WOMAN DO YOU ADMIRE MOST?
I don't have ONE powerful woman that I had ever admired most. I have come across many strong and brilliant women that have offered me some insight that has always come back to me at some point. They were not well known nor did they solve world peace. They were ordinary women, doing ordinary jobs that had amazing life stories and lived with mantras that I often reflect upon. I smile as I remember what I had learned from them with a silent thank you in the back of my mind of my gratitude for that wisdom that has carried me throughout life/career.


Claire Sporck

Claire is a regular contributor to the OWL Blog, creating delicious recipes that range from savory soups to gluten-free cookies, all accompanied by by her gorgeous photography.

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF
My name is Claire Sporck and I am a full-time food stylist and photographer here in Los Angeles. I run my own blog and company called Sporckly where I share healthy and vibrant whole food recipes. My last name is a utensil, so hey, my job and passion could not be a better fit! ;)


WHAT EMPOWERS YOU AS A WOMAN?
I am the most empowered by knowledge I gain and my body's strength. Everyday I make sure I am challenging myself to learn something new. Whether that be working on a new skill or gaining knowledge by reading or conversations with others. Always asking questions gives me the power to grow. I am also empowered by my physical strength and the amazing things my body can do. When I go on my morning run or push myself during a hard workout, it makes me feel like I can accomplish anything the day throws at me!


WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR TEENAGE SELF?
That you are not defined by your thoughts. I used to be so in my head as a teenager. Overthinking everything was the usual for me. This led me to be very introverted and constantly concerned about what others thought of me. I wish I could go back and tell myself that none of this mattered and that these feelings and thoughts were totally normal. I think it is so easy to feel alone and misunderstood as a teenager but I feel so proud of myself that I was able to grow from this.


HOW CAN WOMEN BETTER ENABLE EACH OTHER INSTEAD OF COMPETING?
I think in the world we live in nowadays it is SO easy to compare yourself to others. I catch myself doing so when I am scrolling through my Instagram feed. Comparing my photography to other food photographers or wondering how certain people on social media seem to have it all. We all do this from time to time, but I believe it is important that we change our perspective. Instead of competing or comparing, we should learn from each other and be inspired and proud of the talents, creativity, power, and beauty each of us embodies.


WHICH POWERFUL WOMAN DO YOU ADMIRE MOST?
My grandma, Jeanine, was such a powerful woman and I admire her with all my heart. She passed away a few years ago but she was such an influential person in my life. My creativity, my love for cooking and my big sweet tooth all come from her. Growing up I remember going over to my grandparent's house and my grandma would always have a variety of homemade cookies out on display. I remember baking together her favorite cookie recipe which was loaded with toasted coconut, chocolate, macadamia nuts and pecans. She was talented in so many ways. An exceptional pianist, chef, and the most loving mother and grandmother. She was also never afraid to express her feelings or opinion. I have always looked up to her with such love and respect and I strive to be the strong woman that she was

For more on Claire, follow her on Instagram and check out Sporckly.


Talia Dinwiddie

Talia is our go-to photography extraordinaire, filling our Instagram feed and website with stunning lifestyle and product imagery. She and OWL creative director Brennan Woo worked together back in the day, and he now jumps at any opportunity he can get to work with her again!

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF
I’m Talia Dinwiddie, I’m a lifestyle and commercial photographer in LA (Maryvine Street)! I get to shoot for makers, brands, and chefs all over town. I love working together with these brilliant creatives to snap beautiful images for their websites and social.


WHAT EMPOWERS YOU AS A WOMAN?
This might sound crazy but we get to play with and live in more color! Studies show that some cis men are less sensitive to variations of color, compared to most women, which I think is a bit of a bummer for them. I love the ability to surround myself and my work in the most pleasing palettes. Things made for self identifying women are so beautiful and vibrant, and not all things aimed at men are designed that way.

In earlier years I used to feel that feminine self-expression (perfect makeup, hair, nails, wardrobe) was an expectation, or a requirement to receive societal respect. No clue where I got that silly idea from…. I rejected that early on, to some social discomfort. But as I get older and love myself more, I now think of those expressions as something I GET to do! Something I can lean into as much as I want, for myself, and not for anyone else’s gaze. Everyone is empowered to present themselves as they prefer, regardless of at-birth gender assignment, and I love seeing that be normalized at large.


WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR TEENAGE SELF?
On a practical level I wish I had shot more photos- I would love to have the ability to look back through my teenage eyes, like a visual journal of sorts. Pre- iPhone nights out with friends would be cool to have caught on (digital) film. On a personal level- I’d say to listen to my intuition more! It’s always right, as I’m learning more and more! I often ignored it in favor of a good time or a friend’s idea and, no regrets, but I wish that I had started to strengthen this muscle earlier.


HOW CAN WOMEN BETTER ENABLE EACH OTHER INSTEAD OF COMPETING?
Offering to share your knowledge! I often have other women asking me quick questions about lighting, editing, etc, and I am so happy to openly share that info. These are women in the same industry, so in theory they are ‘competition,’ but I don’t see it that way. We share inspiration, previous mistakes, and new ideas openly, and it feels so good to share and receive that support! That’s how we all succeed.


WHICH POWERFUL WOMAN DO YOU ADMIRE MOST?
Definitely my grandmother Vivian- she’s 96 and has lived through many a ‘unprecedented' time. In addition to being a matriarch, she is a master maker. Sewing, cooking, crafting, painting, upholstering - you name it and she has done it, sold it, won a contest for it. She planted the seed for art and craft in me and I’m so grateful for her example and how it lead to me to do the work I love today!

For more on Talia, follow her on Instagram and check out Maryvine Street.


Betsey Carter

Betsey Carter is the artist behind our favorite mug for sipping our Broth Elixirs, and a few other ceramic homegoods we offer.

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF
I’m Betsey Carter, and the artist behind Betsey Carter Ceramics, a one-woman business creating useful and beautiful ceramics for the home and table.


WHAT EMPOWERS YOU AS A WOMAN?
Working at what I love every day.


WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR TEENAGE SELF?

  • Don’t pass up an opportunity. Everything you do is a learning experience, plus you never know where it will lead.
  • Always show up.
  • Prepare. You’d be surprised how many people don’t. Being prepared sets you apart.

HOW CAN WOMEN BETTER ENABLE EACH OTHER INSTEAD OF COMPETING?
Women benefit from collaboration over competition, so raising up and supporting each other empowers all. There is power in the group.


WHICH POWERFUL WOMAN DO YOU ADMIRE MOST?
This is a tough one, there are so many. But I’ll limit my answer to three women you wouldn’t have heard of but were instrumental in my becoming the person I am.

  1. My department head from my days as an academic, from whom I learned the importance of setting clear goals with your team, providing the need tools, and then letting them do their jobs. When people know the boss has their backs, they feel secure enough to do their best.
  2. A terrific ceramic artist who taught me how to be an artist and run a studio.
  3. My mother, who encouraged her 5 children to strive for the best educations and careers they could achieve.

For more on Betsey, follow her on Instagram and check out Betsey Carter Ceramics.

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