We had the good fortune of connecting with Eunice Vashti and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Eunice, what habits do you feel helped you succeed?
My sobriety has been a place of strength in all areas, but especially in my professional life. I’ve replaced drinking with mindful practices to become focused and centered – it’s the best time spent with myself. While I love a cocktail/fashion moment, I’ve come to learn that different seasons call for different practices. And in this season and at this time, my sobriety was the unlock to get to the next level. I wanted to spend my mornings investing in myself, in my marriage, in my passion.

I’ve become a better manager of ME. I’m learning how to protect my time, indulge in pleasure, and work smarter. Resting by a certain time, scheduling ‘unplugged’ hours, scheduling a date with my husband – including the things that fill me up with equal measure. In stillness and managing ME, I am grounded and aware. It’s easy to hit the ground running, especially at the kick off of the campaign! A new project shouldn’t shift the boat, but instead it’s an opportunity to sharpen all of my tools and become more organized. The time invested has always paid me back.

 

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I love retail – all facets of the business. From the front-of-house to the back-of-house. I have this dream. To create a company culture that invests in their people (teams) as they do their product. An emotionally intelligent company with wellness practices and transparency in the feedback we give our teams. I have worked in tense and unproductive environments where the internal culture was completely opposite of the beautiful and luxurious items they sold. As a young leader, I just wanted to know how I was doing and what I had to do to get better. The criticism can sometimes be non constructive and the ‘chase’ is real. And then there were periods in my career where I was fed and encouraged to make bold business decisions. Those were the times in my career that I have done really well and understood clearly my development path.

My Style? Well, I’ve always been able to find the sweet spot with my personal style. Very young I was exposed to great style and craftsmanship. I come from three (3) generations of tailors and seamstresses that specialized in men’s tailoring and suiting. My father wore custom suits every day. My mom had a European flare during the week, and was full on glamor with coordinated accessories on Sunday’s. I remember sitting at the top of the stairs and watching them get dressed – it was a beautiful dance. My dad would say, “..the way you look and how you are dressed proceeds before you say hello.” It’s stuck with me and shaped how I express myself through clothes.

How did I get here?
Whew, a lot of hard work and adapting. It’s been a very personal journey of sharp pivots and deep reflections of what I really want. I’ve remained curious in all my roles. Networking within company departments is very powerful– and it’s opened many doors for me. Sometimes it just requires you to take inventory of who and what is around you.

Advice:
In my 17+ years of leading I’ve learned what’s for me won;t pass me by. I ALREADY have EVERYTHING I need. This journey is equipped with tools and the people to help carry out the mission of GOOD.

Challenge?
I have a very hard time speaking in front of large groups of people– I’m a one on one engagement kind of girl. So I’ve had to learn to breathe, think about what I am saying before I say it. Focus on the person directly in front of you and cease all other conversations that may be happening internally. Another challenge has been to show up in vulnerable moments and say “I don’t know” or asking for help. My husband says, “Amor remember, El que no llora, no mama.” Which basically says, “the baby that doesn’t cry, doesn’t get any milk.” You have to ask for what you need and hire what you don’t know.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love this question! I’ve been living here for 7 years and Florida has been a place of healing for me. I’ve discovered a lot of South Florida the same way I would advise someone to discover Chicago, “Eat your way through the city and find the little gems.”

Friday: First stop (a little calm before the storm), my favorite beach town called Delray Beach – filled with restaurants, live music, and great sidewalk sales. Check into Pineapple Grove’s newly built hotel called, ‘The Ray’. This little boutique hotel takes your breath away from the moment you lay eyes on it- an immediate reset. Eat fresh chicharron and sip margarita’s at El Camino on Atlantic Blvd! From there, walk down Atlantic Ave and enjoy all the shops and galleries on the way to the beach for sunset– but first, grab a slice of pizza from Pizza Rustica. Dinner at Lionfish, a coastal cuisine is a must try! They have a tuna pizza (yes, I know) to die for. And finally a nightcap with locals at OG Delray, a cool artisan bar.

Saturday: Take A1A south and enjoy the ocean views down to Spanish River Park filled with trees and little private beaches. My husband, then boyfriend, found this little hidden gem with views of the intercoastal and a small sand bar- absolutely breathtaking! Perfect for lunch on the sand and little sunbathing.
Brickell City Center is a must! Have a late lunch at Casa Tuia and take a selfie on the 3rd floor, because the views are just so good! You could walk to Moxies for a quick drink – there’s great people watching or head over to have dinner at the one and only Osaka. Enjoy an amazing dinner & cocktails while the DJ plays all the feel good music.

Sunday! You must try Red Rooster in Overtown, for some amazing soul food and soul singing. After dinner, the ‘Sunday Funday’ party is just above the restaurant and going until 10p.

I also love the ESME hotel in Miami beach! I mean there are so many little places to discover in South Florida. A little something for every vibe.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Right away, God. He is Great! I smile when I reflect on our unconventional relationship. He is the creator, the lead designer, and my inspiration everyday. My family, who’s been my rock. I’m really grateful to have some phenomenal people in my immediate family. My husband has been a pillar and great support along this journey. My parents are amazing designers and stylists in their own right. Amazing examples of what it means to be a successful entrepreneur; how important it is to take care of your community and impact those around you; and what it means to have a relationship with God. I’m the youngest of 4, so I’ve always had amazing bragging rights! My sister and two brothers have excelled in all they have put their hands to and have guided me along this journey. I have a small group of ‘sistars’ that cover me in prayers and love. We are a reflection of each other and I am so grateful to have this beautiful tribe. I’ve had four (4) mentors to guide me in retail management. They’ve believed in me and opened so many doors so that I could have a platform. Last but not least, I work with an amazing team of women at Sitka Semsch, who push and inspire me to become better every single day.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eunievashtiblogs/

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/euniceeaddy

Other: Email: Eunicevashti@icloud.com

Image Credits
Photographer: Sissi_photography

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