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Brooklyn

The Uncommon Life

Uncommon Personalities: Meet Rebekah Krikke

October 22, 2015

RebekahKrikke

Rebekah Krikke, Assistant Production Manager, Product Development

My hometown…
A hybrid of central Illinois and Kobe, Japan.

I’m inspired by…
Long walks, new perspectives, gratitude, and the color orange.

What I love about Product Development is…
Seeing a product take form as it moves from concept to reality.

When I’m not at work, I’m usually….
Exploring random neighborhoods in New York, relaxing at home with my husband, or being “productive” at a local coffee shop.

My favorite place to bring out-of-towners is…
Brooklyn Bridge Park.

I’m most looking forward to _______ this summer.
Going to my first Indian Wedding in Bangkok.

An uncommon fact about me is….
I studied Japanese tea ceremony for a few years in high school. I love green tea, so much so that my family named our Boston Terrier “Matcha.”

If I could put my desk anywhere in the world it would be…
An ocean view office where you can hear the waves from your desk and go on occasional swim breaks for inspiration.

My favorite uncommon good is…
Our Personalized New York City subway signs.

The Uncommon Life

Uncommon Personalities: Meet Reggie Philbert

September 25, 2015

ReginaldPhilbert

Reggie Philbert – UncommonGoods Security Officer

My hometown…
Brooklyn.

I’m inspired by…
Every time I play the drums, whether it’s for a concert or just practice. It’s one of the few times I actually feel free and relaxed.

When I was a kid, my favorite TV show was…
Hey Arnold! When I was growing up all the characters on the show reminded me of people in my life one way or another. I liked the morals that every episode consisted of, such as the value of friendships and hard work. It was also a way my younger brother and I would bond.

The word or phrase that best describes me is…
Loyal.

When I’m not at work I’m probably…
Reading a Stephen King novel, practicing on the bass guitar/drums or playing basketball in the park

If I could become an expert on one thing it would be…
Playing piano. I gave up on it when I was younger

One thing I’ve learned from working at UncommonGoods is…
The value of communication, teamwork, and patience.

An uncommon fact about me…
I’ve never learned how to whistle.

The Uncommon Life

Uncommon Personalities: Meet Robert Colon

August 13, 2015

RobertColon

Robert Colon – UncommonGoods Operations Associate

My hometown…
Brooklyn, NY.

If I could meet anyone, living or not, I would choose…
Al Pacino.

If I could become an expert on one thing that I’m not already, it would be…
Playing darts.

Within the next 10 years, I hope to be…
Retired.

An uncommon fact about me…
I’ve only had three jobs in my lifetime, and one of them was for 35 years.

The Uncommon Life

Uncommon Personalities: Meet Ed Morales

August 12, 2015

EdwinMorales

Ed Morales – UncommonGoods Operations Associate

My hometown…
Brooklyn, NY

I’m inspired by…
Anyone with a disability. They still get up to do what they have to do like going to work, driving, exercising, living life, etc.

My favorite process in the UncommonGoods warehouse is…
Learning everything I can about the warehouse operation.

When I’m not working, I’m probably…
Enjoying the day off with my family and friends.

I’m stubborn about…
Nothing.

The accomplishment I’m most proud of is…
Becoming a good father and a good man.

An uncommon fact about me…
I was shot in the leg when I was fifteen. Till this day I don’t know who did it. I have the scar to remind me of that day. P.s. I wasn’t a bad kid, if you’re wondering.

The Uncommon Life

Uncommon Personalities: Meet Peter Kokis

August 9, 2015

PeterKokis

Peter Kokis, Security Manager

My hometown…
Brooklyn, ahem.

I’m inspired by…
The beauty of designs found in nature; what occurs naturally is amazing, better than anything we could do.

When I was little, I dreamed of…
Dinosaurs, sharks, and robots.

When I’m not working, I’m probably…
In the gym, building robots, or looking for a place to park.

The accomplishment I’m most proud of is…
Earning my wings through the military. Also, becoming a NY State Notary Public.

In other galaxies, I believe there is/are…
Spaceships heading towards Earth, their intent in question.

An uncommon fact about me…
I took a kangaroo for a walk through midtown Manhattan once (I was on tail-holding detail…that’s how you keep them from jumping).

Would you rather have the ability to read minds, or to tell the future?
Actually, I already know that in the future I will read your mind… what was the question again?

The Uncommon Life

Uncommon Personalities: Meet Arnold McMayo

July 30, 2015

ArnoldMcMayo

Arnold McMayo – UncommonGoods Operations Team Lead

My hometown….
Port of Spain, Trinidad

I’m inspired by…
Success.

My favorite process in the UncommonGoods warehouse is…
Completing an order and getting it out the warehouse.

If any fictional character could be my best friend, I would choose….
John Wick.

Something that always relaxes me is…
Music.

My favorite place to eat in New York City is…
Grace Before Meals in Brooklyn

My style is…
All about comfort.

An uncommon fact about me…
I won the ‘Wittiest Person’ in my graduating high school class.

Maker Stories

Inside the Artists’ Studio with Seth and Maddy Lucas

June 10, 2015

Seth and Maddy Lucas | Studio Tour | UncommonGoods

Instagram photo taken by @ellothereprintco

One of my favorite meetings at the UncommonGoods headquarters is something we like to call grown up “show-and-tell,” where the marketing  team previews the products that will soon join our This Just In assortment. I was immediately intrigued by the story behind the National  Parks Sticker Map. Assistant Merchandising Coordinator Jillian described Seth and Maddy Lucas as a young married couple who had a goal  of visiting all of the national parks in their lifetime. It might have been because I was in the middle of reading Cheryl Strayed’s “Wild,” but I immediately thought “I wanna do that, too!” I started daydreaming about where I would thru-hike one day, imagining myself rolling out a sleeping bag next to a serene lake in [insert middle of America location]. But when Jillian mentioned that the designers were based in Brooklyn, I swiped the serene lake away like an email on my iPhone and thought “Oh, I wanna go there too.”

Seth and Maddy Lucas | Studio Tour | UncommonGoods

I had never been to a home studio before visiting Seth and Maddy. Upon entering their light-drenched apartment, I think the phrase  “bring your work home” took a whole new meaning. From the nostalgic American pillows on the couch, to the colorful shelves in their kitchen, it was easy to tell that their artistic aesthetic is consistent throughout every detail in their daily lives. When I stumbled  upon their copy of the “Wes Anderson Collection,” everything clicked. I realized that Seth and Maddy had the ability to create an all encompassing visual language similar to what Anderson fans feel when they are lost in any one of his famous films. The  ability to live life with such a distinct style seems to come naturally to Seth and Maddy, whether they are backpacking around another park, or just listening to a record on their couch. Meet travelers and designers Seth and Maddy Lucas, and learn more about their colorful inspirations, their collaborative process, and the delicious way they celebrate a victory.

Continue Reading…

Maker Stories

This Just In-spiration: Meet Alexandra Ferguson

June 1, 2015

Our makers never fail to motivate us, encourage our creativity, and fill us with inspiration. So, when a new design enters our assortment, we’re always excited to learn more about the person behind the product.

What gets an artist going and keeps them creating is certainly worth sharing, and every great connection starts with a simple introduction. Meet Alexandra Ferguson, the designer behind our new handmade, eco-friendly pillows.

Alexandra Ferguson | UncommonGoods

Photo by Gabi Porter

When did you know you wanted to be an artist?
My mom, who has a fashion background, was always working on crafting projects with us as kids. So I grew up in a very creative home and learned from an early age that the best way to get something really fantastic was to make it myself.

What was the most exciting thing about becoming a professional artist?
I love working out of my factory. Working with an incredibly talented team to roll up your sleeves and make something is a really satisfying way to spend your day. I also love speaking with my customers – we are so lucky to have such a passionate and dedicated cult fan base. I get so much inspiration from them!

Alexandra Ferguson | UncommonGoods

What does your typical day in the studio look like?
A lot of my day is spent managing the work flow through the room. Our factory is designed to be incredibly lean and agile, handling a large volume of custom orders with a very short lead time. Often I feel like an orchestra conductor making sure that the timing of all the moving parts is accurate. I also spend a good chunk of my day outward facing, working with customers over the phone and email, processing orders and ultimately getting boxes on the UPS truck! The best moment is watching a ton of boxes get loaded up, that’s when I can relax a little knowing that it was a job well done.

Alexandra Ferguson | UncommonGoods

Photo by Colin Miller

Is there a trinket, talisman, or other inspirational object you keep near? If so, what is it and what does it mean to you?
My own pillows! I think I have 3 of our “Breathe” pillows in my office. Those are helpful when I’m feeling overwhelmed.

Alexandra Ferguson | UncommonGoods

Imagine you just showed your work to a kindergartener for the first time. What do you think he/she would say?
They’d probably read it aloud! My 5-year-old nephew loves to practice his reading and writing with “Aunt Al’s” pillows. “Here Comes Trouble” is a favorite among the toddler set. I get lots of cheeky twinkles when they read that one.

Alexandra Ferguson | UncommonGoods

What quote or mantra keeps you motivated?
Um, do you have space for 80? “I work hard for the money” is a favorite. There’s no sitting back and relaxing in my factory, and I’m proud of the hustle!

Alexandra Ferguson | UncommonGoods