WORK • Friday Routine
SHIZU OKUSA • founder & CEO • Apothékary
Neighborhood you work & live in: Williamsburg
It’s Friday afternoon, how are you rolling into the weekend?
I’m a morning person, so even on a Friday, I’m waking up at 5a to tackle my inbox before I head out for a Solidcore class at 7 or 8. My day-to-day is incredibly variable, but lately, it’s been back-to-back calls with investors, VCs, my leadership team (who I like to call my A-team), press calls and interviews, and key partners (retailers, brokers, agencies, advisors). I love having random one-on-one walk-and-talks with my team. Creativity often comes at the most unplanned time.
We just landed five of our hero SKUs, herbal drops, into Ulta stores nationwide, and also launched a brand-new product via DTC called Rescue Bloat, so it’s been busy, but that’s how I like it. So in short — my afternoon starts around 10a!
Where are you drinking or dining this weekend?
This weekend, I’ll be keeping it low-key, my favorite kind of weekend. I’ll be grabbing takeout from Mr. Moto, my go-to spot in the city. Their sushi is unmatched, and it has essentially become my version of comfort food. I love their ochazuke, a tea rice congee-type of dish. It’s comfort food for me.
What was your last great vacation?
I just got back from a retreat at Six Senses in Ibiza, and it was everything. The setting was magical, with cliffs, ocean, and sunrises that made you pause, and the energy of the place was so aligned with the kind of restoration I had been craving. Mornings were filled with movement and meditation, while evenings were devoted to nourishing food and deep conversations. I left feeling so grounded, creatively recharged, and ready for whatever’s next.
What’s a recent big-ticket purchase you love?
My custom artwork from Nicole Corbett Studio (now Nicole Ryder). The piece is called ‘To Gather Paradise’ and serves as a reminder that the blue sky always exists, no matter how cloudy or foggy a moment can be. For me, this art symbolizes beauty in nature and what abundance and space can do for our creativity, minds, and our ‘togetherness’.
What store or service do you always recommend?
Consignment stores are my favorite — I love old treasures that remind me of the past and where we as humans have come from. If new, I love a good shopping moment at Alice & Olivia, Zimmermann, Fleur du Mal, or Cult Gaia, a mix of NYC and LA. I sometimes like to splurge on a nice facial and blowout before a press or media event. Korean salt scrubs are the best. I feel like a dolphin after, haha.