WORK • Tuesday Routine
GRETCHEN JONES • business advisor & founder • Weird Specialty
Neighborhood you work in: Tivoli, NY & NYC
It’s Tuesday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
I’m part board member, part strategic management consultant, and part therapeutic counselor, so my clients meet with me either in person or digitally, which gives me tremendous flexibility to work from home or from my office in Tivoli.
I’m fortunate to work in beautiful environments filled with pieces created by talented makers, craftspeople, artists, and designers, many of whom I know personally or collaborate with. I’m a bona fide aesthete who thrives in inspired spaces; they get my creative juices flowing and keep me grounded. I also prefer natural light and open spaces — being able to look out into nature soothes me and helps me stay present throughout the day.
What’s on the agenda for today?
I have a very exciting conceptual retreat coming up in January for creative women in business called Weird Retreats that will blend artist residency models with business retreats, plus a splash of vacation in Mexico.
Alongside that, I’m excited to continue building upon Weird Specialty Salon’s offerings and incentives for members. My aim is to build chapters nationally and hone in on ways to engage that go beyond networking by being an ambassador for what creative entrepreneurship means to society at large.
And, I’m also bringing my one-on-one practice back to NYC. So, basically, creating a full ecosystem for small and micro businesses owned and founded by women in creative fields who prioritize lifestyle and meaning over monetization exclusively.
Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
I’m big on ending my days in the late afternoon, just in time for happy hour. I’m also an early bird, so wrapping up between four and five gives me enough time to really enjoy the end of my day. Depending on the weather, I’ll meander my way down the street to The Corner in Tivoli to grab a cocktail where my stylish, Iris Apfel-esque mother actually hosts an evening there on Friday and Saturday night. She moved out east to live with my husband and me three years ago, which has been incredibly rewarding and heartwarming.
Other must-stops in Tivoli are Tivoli General, Club Sandwich, Bad Times Bar, and Giobatta. To have my office based in a two-block town that has so many great restaurants is really living the small town dream. If I’m not in Tivoli, or staying home for aperitif, I love going to Slow Fox Farm, which is the most bucolic, sweet gem in Clinton Corners, or C. Cassis outside Rhinebeck. Both have a lot of amazing pop-ups or foodie collabs that make it easy to stay and hang. If I want to be a bit bougie, I love seeing my friend Luciano at Market Street in Rhinebeck. We also cross the river to Kingston quite regularly and pop into Eliza or Chloe, or hit Brunette on a lazy afternoon.
Going north, I adore Feast & Floret for a beautiful meal, and Quinnies for brunch or lunch. Klocke Estate has the best views in the region, and is great for drinks. I’m super sad Gaskins closed in Germantown, but really excited about what’s opening up next, which is top secret and has everyone in the region on the edge of their seats!
How about a little leisure or culture this week?
It’s just a smorgasbord of culture and creativity up here in the HVNY. From Tubby’s, Wildminded, Unicorn Bar and Assembly in Kingston, to Spiegeltent, Clarion Concerts, Upstate Films, to all the programming and art happenings flecked about up here, I get plenty of inspiration and entertainment opportunities to engage.
What’s a recent big-ticket purchase you love?
I’m obsessed with Sarah Mitchell’s ceramic line Arc Ceramics. I have a handful of her pieces and recently invested in one of her Alma vases.
What NYC store or service do you love to recommend?
I’m a ride-or-die client of Claire Vuillemot/Laurel Tattoo and can’t recommend her enough. Little Sister Creative is a client, but in my opinion the best-in-class event designer in the triboroughs. Begin with the End is a premier end of life/after life planner serving the city and worth every penny, and Oroboro Store is THE BEST.
Where are you donating your time or money?
WNYC, NPR, Beloved Community, and by mentoring young and aspiring entrepreneurs.