an interview

Alquista Ryans of local gorgeous lifestyle blog Boulevard no. 32 let me guide her through my beloved Berkeley for a day. Catch a snippet of the interview below...

by: Alquista Ryans of Boulevard no. 32

“…STOP.  Don’t be afraid.  Punch fear in the throat”.”

a pretty valid way to look at life and the goals you have set in place for yourself and also a great motto to have as we head into the the New Year!  Outgoing and sweet spirited, Shauntee Joseph of Starfish And Coffee Kids guided me around her beloved Berkeley; showing me some great hidden gems (and even the best place to go grocery shopping!)  When you have the best of the best right outside your door, you often wonder, why look any further!

Where are your favorite places to go in Berkeley (or outside) and why, if any reason?

They are all food places! LOL My constant, obsession is La Noisette Sweets.  It’s a French style sweet and savory pastry shop that uses seasonal and local ingredients.  Gahhhhh to die for! My dear friends own a bacon business called The Baconer, La Noisette Sweets has a pastry made with one of their cuts of meaty bits of bacon called lardon and I swear, it makes you close your eyes while you eat it!

Another Berkeley gem and neighborhood fave, 900 Grayson for the Demon Lover (chicken and waffles) but ALSO I love the T.V. dinner.  It’s a new take on the everyday fish, potatoes and a veggie.  I’ve never been disappointed.  Oh and the Pot de Creme is a MUST for dessert made in house by co-owner Chris.

Your recipe for style?

Fit is the key to happiness! You can wear a paper bag with a shoestring around the waist but if the fit is good, you'll look like a million bucks!

Don’t buy it if you don’t love it, otherwise it will sit in your closet collecting dust. Plus wearing what you love makes you feel good.

Save your special gems for your daughter (or your son, because...you never know) I loved playing in my mom’s closet as a kid! I have a box of goodies I'm saving for Olivia, sequins dresses, and a crazy heavy studded top with metal beading and mesh cutouts. I'll probably never wear them again but I still love them and she may want to have them some day.

Your favorite place to travel outside of the Bay Area?

My husband and I honeymooned in Spain.  We spent four days in Madrid then took the train to Barcelona for eight more days.  I didn’t want to come home!  Madrid was gorgeous everywhere you looked.  The vibe in Barcelona is amazing, so bohemian and free spirited.  Not to mention I ate to my hearts content, some of the most amazing food.  If you’re ever in Barcelona, El Vaso de Oro was heavenly and an authentic Spanish experience. The restaurant is 50 years old and TINY, but worth the wait.  Also, The Box in the Gothic Quarter…the best gourmet hot dogs in the world…well, maybe not the world, but damn good. They also have a rum bar with house infused rum in about 50 flavors!  I also have a cousin who lives in Seville and I can not wait to visit her soon!

What has been the most insightful advice given to you when starting your business and can you offer any tips to those who want to start their own business?

Don’t be afraid!  Fear paralyzed me for a long time.  I over analyzed EVERYTHING!  Can I leave a steady paycheck to jump into the unknown?  What if I fail?  What if I succeed?  Am I capable?  Look at that business, it’s so much further along than I am.  STOP.  Don’t be afraid.  Punch fear in the throat.

Check out the full interview at https://boulevardno32.com/2017/12/20/berkeley-guided-by-shauntee-joseph/

All photos, unless otherwise noted, are by Alquista Ryans.  Please do not use photos without permission