Who's That Girl? Women You Need to Know: Sofi Madison of Olives & Grace
Welcome to 'Who's That Girl? Women You Need to Know'. A semi regular series profiling women doing fantastically cool things, sharing cool ideas, inspiration, and looking pretty damn cool, doing it all.
You know these women. They are not mythical creatures, they are real people, running life like a boss. The pal who has a retail site, a day job, travels to exotic locales, writes a blog, and plans parties on the side. Or the lawyer, who is designing a house, attending fashion shows, and launching a second career as a stylist......with twins riding shotgun. I swear, they exist. Here. In this very city, no less.
Maybe we just glean a few pearls of wisdom on how they manage the juggling act....career, family, and day to day life. Perhaps one of them will be the catalyst, inspiring you to try that {insert your lifelong goal, new passion, or latest obsession here} you've always wanted to do. Or maybe you come away with a new trend to try for spring, simple as that.
Time for fall my friends (yes, I said it!). And a new installment of Who's That Girl, Women You Need to Know, after a bit of a summer hiatus.
This month, we usher in crisp weather and the changing leaves with Sofi Madison, the proprietress behind the hipper than hip South End shop, Olives & Grace. She is a triple threat, well actually more like a quintuple threat- brains, beauty, heart of gold, style off the charts, all with a modesty that is beguiling. I thank my lucky stars I wandered into her shop before a hair appointment a little over a year ago. Strolled in pre-chop and walked out with a new friend and a bunch of new treats to try. Isn't that just kismet?
Olives & Grace features wares from emerging artists, small batch production food makers, and all of those little things (with a back story made up of people trying to do-good and change the world one tea box at a time) you never knew you needed. Walk into Olives & Grace without a plan and you will walk out again with gifts for friends, mixers for cocktails, and gourmet snacks for the drive home, when you never even realized you were feeling peckish. Sofi's retail space has heart, her products have soul, and she is the glue that brings it all together with charm and an artfully assembled gift box or two.
I'm not the only one who has noticed this gem of a destination and Sofi's infectious, positive vibe. Olives & Grace was recently awarded Boston Magazine's best of Boston for small gifts. Ask her about the award and you'll quickly receive a humble answer- that she had no idea she was even being considered and thought someone waaaay cooler would have received it. I'd expect nothing less from this lovely lady.
The first thing I had to ask this curator of cool? What her favorite product is (in the shop), of course. Kind of like asking who a favorite child is........all but impossible. What did come immediately to mind for Sofi are the jars of nut butter from Big Spoon Roasters, think flavors like Chai Spice Almond Butter (which I own and obsess over daily- like what can I slather this on now?), which she eats by the spoonful when she needs a quick lunch break. Another fave, especially as wedding gifts, are the plantable pencils from Cambridge based company, Sprout. When you are done taking notes and making wedding to-do lists, plant the pencil and start an herb garden. How amazing is that?
Sofi has gone from having to search out these up and coming brands and producers to now having them seek her out, a nice change of pace for the shop keep. Be it good food, tasty cocktail mixers, one of a kind jewelry or a divine confection, Sofi is always on the look out for the latest brands to produce quality product with conscious.
Like another fave of hers, Ajiri tea. Unassuming on the shelf, the tea leaves take on a whole new form once Sofi weaves her tale about the production and founder. Ajiri was launched by Beacon Hill resident Sara Holby, and her mother Ann, as a way to employ tribes in Kenya. The tribes create the packaging (each features different original art), farm the tea, and 100% of the proceeds then return to Kenya to help support schools. Gifting is made all the better when you have something positive to share with the recipient, aside from the present itself. This is the kind of product that Sofi wants to show to others, the type of item that could easily be looked over if you didn't know the back story. She sees her role as a connector between the customer and products like this, products that you want to invest in once you know more about them. Don't you wish all shopping could be so easy?
Ms. Madison currently calls JP home, though she is MA born and bred (via San Francisco, where she was living when she first conceived the idea for Olives and Grace). When asked about favorite spots she is quick to rattle off a laundry list of her latest dining destinations- La Brassa, Sarma, and Alden and Harlow, along with South End neighbors Whisk, Coppa and Pico. You're likely to find her kicking back, enjoying a cocktail and relaxing at Wally's, taking in some jazz post work. And where, oh where, does this shop keep turn when she needs fabulous goods herself? Hudson (dubbed 'so solid'), Follain ('perfect'), and Niche (where she pops in to surround herself with living things and feel 'nourished').
What's next for Olives & Grace? Now that the store inhabits a larger space, Sofi plans on hosting more events in the shop. Prepare for her meet the maker series, bringing the producers into the space to connect directly with customers. Or stop in tonight, Wednesday 9/10, for her Vintage Design Party, from 4-8:00, featuring gently used pieces and Olives & Grace bites. She'll also soon feature workshops and classes, allowing her customer base to learn from the best, in a fun environment where they can meet others, mingle, and create at the same time.
At the end of the day and visit, Sofi dwelled on just how lucky she is. It's hard work by her own admission, but fulfilling work. She delights in the little things- being able to control the music, the temp, wear what she wants every day, adjust the lighting when necessary, change displays on a whim....things she wouldn't change for the world. Her passion for the makers and space is contagious, flowing into everything she does. Another reason this space is going to continue to receive accolades for many years to come.
Want to find out more about Sofi and her space? Check out the Olives & Grace site and her recent foray into e-commerce! Have a maker you think she should carry? A neighbor who is crafting jewelry out of her basement that Sofi needs to know about? Take advantage of her 'share the maker' connection.
One of the strangest things in your handbag…
I've become attached to using my passport as my ID. I guess it's a bit odd, but you never know when you'll want to catch flight.
The last movie you watched?
These days I can't sit still for a 2 hour movie.. but the last thing I watched was Orange Is The New Black. "taking steps is eeeasy, standing still is hard" ;)
The song that always gets you pumped?
The best is coming into the shop extra early with some coffee, put on Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, and just get into it. "Better Things" in particular.
Favorite vacation spot?I think my favorite vacation spot is still ahead of me.. and my guess is it's somewhere in Japan.
Favorite Christmas present you've ever received?
Last year my boyfriend handed me a folder with two detailed profiles of elephants that he fostered in my name, from the The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. I just saw there and smile-cried while I read their bio's, and how his donation would be used to help get them safely back into the wild.
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