Piercing gaze
ALYSA TEICHMAN • Wildlike
WORK • Tuesday Routine
ALYSA TEICHMAN • founder • Wildlike
Neighborhood you work in: Noho
Neighborhood you live in: Greenwich Village
It’s Tuesday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
I start every day with movement, either a walk with my spirited westie Mac (short for Sir Paul McCartney) or a workout at Equinox. My dog knows every stop in the neighborhood with treats, and he particularly loves the Jack’s Coffee on West 10th, where he’s likely to run into his favorite regular, Isabel.
From there, I typically spend a chunk of my day at my piercing studio Wildlike on Bond Street. Its immersive coral and cool vibe is the perfect pick me up, and I love alternating between my regular computer work and visiting with customers and our team. I have an office downstairs that I still haven’t set up since we opened our store two years ago because I love being on the sales floor.
What’s on the agenda for today?
Not to sound totally cliché, but every day is different for me! As an owner/operator of a small business, I wear all the hats, and do all the things. My happiest place is dreaming of new locations and thinking through strategic growth for our small-but-mighty company, as well as being closest to the customers. The reality of my job is that I’m doing literally everything. Over the last year, we’ve built out our events program, from pop-ups, birthdays, corporate events, and more.
I’m also a partner in my family’s business Ylang 23, a designer jewelry company my parents started in 1985. Owning two businesses in two locations (NYC and Dallas) means that I’m busy and constantly using both sides of my brain.
Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
My “Cheers” spot is Il Buco, where the team treats me and the entire Wildlike team like family. I love a work lunch at Gjelina — its menu is so vast that I could eat there daily. On cold days, I crave a big bowl of pho from Nón Lá, a tiny spot in the East Village. My favorite easy spots near home are Village Taverna and Il Cantinori, which I can see from my apartment, as well as Penny and Claude, which are a few blocks away from me and effortlessly cool. Lastly, I’m half French so I have to plug my favorite downtown French eats: nothing tops a late lunch at Pastis or a decadent dinner at La Mercerie.
What’s a recent big-ticket purchase you love?
I spent over a year delaying the purchase of a Jura coffee machine after building out two new stores in two years (both over-budget of course), but I finally caved. My mornings just got a huge upgrade.
What NYC store or service do you love to recommend?
I continue to pinch myself that I live just a couple of blocks away from Strand Books, and despite the fact that I’ve transitioned to reading on my Kindle, I go there for inspiration and gifts. For home, I’m obsessed with Nickey Kehoe (where I would go if I could replace everything in my home). I love C.O. Bigelow, the most epic Village pharmacy. And lastly, Doggystyle on University is the sweetest place in my neighborhood (with the best name) for pet accessories.
Where are you donating your time or money?
I’m on the board of the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum. I grew up in Dallas and still spend a lot of time there. Both sides of my family survived the Holocaust, so the mission of teaching the history of the Holocaust, advancing human rights, and inspiring visitors to become “upstanders” against prejudice, hatred and injustice is deeply personal.