I am an entrepreneur, a creative, a business woman, a mentor, a mother , an outdoor enthusiast and so many other things that are hard to define. I see myself as someone who doesn’t necessarily fit into any specific box but more of a life long learner and trier-of-new-things. I see life as a great adventure and want to make sure I have given it my all before my time on earth comes to an end.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I am the mother of two young men. I raised my boys here in Saratoga Springs where I was born and raised. I am married to Robert West who also owns his own business, Old Saratoga Restorations. I’m excited because my youngest son is now working for me and learning the business inside and out like I learned from my Mother. My oldest son lives and attends college in Philly. When we get together we love to cook and create meals as a family-both of my sons learned to cook when they were young out of necessity! When you’re born into a family of entrepreneurs you learn young that business often comes first.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
Currently I own three separate brands/retail shops in downtown Saratoga Springs. Lifestyles of Saratoga which I started with my mother 39 years ago, Caroline + Main and Union Hall Supply Company. I was interested in fashion and apparel at a young age and pursued that career at FIT in New York City. Earned Degree’s from FIT and SUNY Albany. I lived and worked in the fashion industry circa mid 80’s in NYC, buying for Macy’s, merchandising at Saks and styling for Fashion Week. Right now I am actively opening a second location of Union Hall Supply Company in Stuyvesant Plaza with a target date of summer 2024. I love the people I get to meet and the ever-changing environment of owning my own business.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
So many amazing choices but at the moment I am frequenting Hamlet & Ghost, Seneca, Sweet Mimi’s, Danny’s O’s.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I was born and raised in Saratoga. I grew up at Bittersweet Farm, a 200 year old farmhouse on Daniels Road that my father and grandfather renovated while we lived in it. We had a small barn full of pets including a rescue pony named patches, my pony Sparticus but he was more of a “Sparky” and his best friend Bonnie the cow, hand delivered in the back of a station wagon from my uncles Dairy Farm in Vermont. I’m a 1984 SSHS graduate, I have lived in NYC, LA, West Virginia, Boston, St. John, USVI but I moved back to start Lifestyles in the 90’s and raise my children here in Saratoga Springs. I love this city and this community.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
That’s a tough one -so many interesting people doing interesting things. Currently top of the list? Ray O’conor -as an English Major writers intrigue me.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Fair Isle in Scotland-I have a dear friend that lives over there, he runs an Inn and it’s been on my bucket list for quite sometime. The wind swept island full of wild life and sheep raised by the people who live there, famous for their Fair Isle knitting and to stay in the Auld Haa Guesthouse built in 1882. That is right up my alley!
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Currently binging on The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, the book and the Netflix series.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Say yes to life. Do everything, with everyone , all the time.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Climbing all 46 High Peaks in the Adirondacks
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
Van Morrison
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
I have to say Nostalgia. That was the business my mother started in the 80’s. She was fearless, she quit her job with NY State to open a gift and home furnishing store in a pretty run-down Saratoga Springs, which she operated for over two decades, on the corner of Caroline and Broadway. People still come in to tell me their stories about “Nostalgia” and the pieces that purchased form my mother that they still cherish to this day. I can’t get enough of those stories.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Jon Batiste and we’d meet for lunch at The Coat Room -Putting this out into the world in case it could ever happen!
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
The people are my favorite thing about this community and then our Unique Downtown and business community.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I’m not great at sitting still so I expect to still be running my businesses in 5-10 years or possibly something new but with a little more free time to travel and spend time in the places I love particularly my home away from Home-Cape Neddick, Maine. I am great lover of the ocean.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
Hmmmm Does anyone know I was a Master Rower and won Nationals? or that I lived and worked on the New River Gorge in WV for a White Water Rafting Company? I think i’m a lot more outdoorsy than people would guess. In fact I lived off the grid in a tent with my dog after college.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
As a lover of the ocean it has to be St. John, particularly Water lemon Cay or Privateer Beach. Bob and I were married on Trunk Bay in St. John simply because it’s one of our favorite places on earth. I’m enthralled by the great wild places where the earth meets the sea.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
October: Cool crisp air, crackling leaves and bonfires. My Fav Holiday is Halloween-I love the idea that you can be something completely different and magical on that day. Best single day is Christmas Eve because I am always with my favorite people.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Humpty Dumpty Dip Cone in July
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Other small business owners. I mentor through SCORE and volunteer my services to help other small business owners and I know first hand the struggles that we all go through. I watch people give everything to chase their dream of business ownership, of creating something entirely their own and unique to this world and that inspires me to be better, do better and to help others.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
fresh cut grass, fresh ground coffee
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Saratoga Springs, family, love
