Meet some of the incredibly inspiring and gutsy women we have the pleasure of having in our Thistle community.
Gutsy Women #3 Sarafina N., Thistle Customer
Tell us about yourself!
I'm an astrophysicist, analog astronaut, author, science communicator, and women's health advocate. I'm wrapping up my PhD in astrophysics at UC Berkeley, where I research exploding stars called supernovae. I recently completed a Mars simulation, where I lived as though I were an astronaut on Mars conducting research and surviving in isolated, harsh conditions. I just published a children's book on astronomy, and am working on my memoir STARSTRUCK. I was recently selected for Forbes 30 Under 30- Science! I use social media to communicate my favorite aspects of the universe and advocate for underrepresented groups in STEM. My goal is to share the magic of the cosmos with everyone, and for everyone to feel that they're capable of pursuing their dreams.
What is something you're most proud of?
I'm most proud of pursuing my dreams despite being told over and over again that I'm not cut out for astrophysics. As a woman of color in STEM, I've been told explicitly and implicitly that I don't belong in STEM. Thankfully, I've had extraordinary mentors who have supported my dreams, but it's been a difficult journey. My goal is to be the woman that young Sarafina would have wanted to see.
Share a time when you were faced with a difficult situation, and how you overcame it.
While I was in college, my dad was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer, and we were both diagnosed with the BRCA2 genetic mutation. This mutation gives me an 87% lifetime risk of breast cancer and 30% lifetime risk of ovarian cancer. When I was 26, just two years ago, I chose to take my health into my own hands and get a preventative double mastectomy to reduce my risk of breast cancer down to <5%. I feel so empowered and proud of my decision, and use my platforms to advocate for women's health, equity in healthcare, and genetic testing.
What’s your experience been like as a woman of color in a field dominated by white men?
To be candid, it's been really difficult. There were many times that I was told I don't belong in STEM. I've experienced outright sexism and sexual harassment tainted with racism. I've had to work extremely hard to prove my worth and take up space in a field in which I never felt like I belonged. I work really hard now to be a source of representation for young women of color who are interested in STEM. Mentorship is hugely important to me.
What song inspires you and helps you push forward?
My favorite song is A Moment Apart by ODESZA. I listened to it before flying weightless in zero-gravity and it was a totally transcendental experience!
What advice would you give your 18 year old self?
I'd tell myself that I'm good enough. To keep pursuing my passion, despite what others might say. To listen to my heart, stand up for myself, and rely on myself. To find my community and mentors who will advocate for me and lift me up.
Looking ahead, what is something you’d like to do in the next 10 years?
Become an astronaut! I'm working towards that goal through research dedication and analog astronaut missions, as well as getting scuba certified and flying in zero gravity. I plan to continue to work towards my dream and push the envelope on what is possible.
Keep up with Sarafina on Instagram: @starstrickensf.
Gutsy Women #2 Christy & Marirose, Founders of Muffin Revolution
If you’ve tried the snacks on our Thistle menu, chances are you’ve enjoyed Muffin Revolution’s delicious 24 Carrot Gold Muffin - it’s so good that we offer it every week!
Tell us about yourself!
As an anthropology major in college and an artist, I never imagined myself to be running a grain-free muffin company. My favorite classes in college were studying the diets of indigenous cultures as well as food politics in America, and as an artist, food is the ultimate work of art; a beautiful creation that people can consume physically, bringing them both pleasure and good health.
My business partner, Marirose, was previously an immigration lawyer and, similarly, never imagined herself running a food business. However, her Italian heritage gave her a passion for food, and her devotion to justice gave her a drive for bringing good food to “the people” when most major brands, at the time, were feeding us junk food.
When you keep yourself open to new paths, life can take wild turns.
What is something you're most proud of?
Getting our muffins into 3 regions of Whole Foods is the thing I am most proud of today. Rewind 12 years and I never would have dreamed such a thing to be possible.
Share a time when you were faced with a difficult situation, and how you overcame it.
2020 was perhaps the hardest year of my life. My business partner had moved to Portland so I was manning the ship myself, which seemed doable until I found out I was pregnant. I was panicked about how the business would run smoothly when I was giving birth and taking a little time off for my maternity leave. Then, a week later, COVID-19 hit the Bay Area and my whole world was turned upside down into complete chaos. Once the shut-down began, we instantly lost half our revenue from catering accounts and cafes, although luckily our grocery store accounts and food delivery accounts (thank you Thistle!) were still going strong. Still, losing half your revenue instantly is terrifying. I felt completely paralyzed. How could I navigate this time of uncertainty alone and pregnant?
Honestly, the only thing that helped me get through that dark time was meditation and putting my trust in divine intelligence to guide me. The deeper I got in my meditation and the more I focused my attention toward surrendering to a higher power, the guidance that I was seeking appeared miraculously from all directions—it was a magical experience. As the grant money and PPP loans came available, things started to look brighter and the right employees showed up at the right time to help the business run.
I also have to mention the importance of community in that difficult time. We share a facility with two other companies, and it was so vital to be able to share with the other owners the feelings of fear and to exchange information regarding the new funding that was becoming available.
As a business founder, what is something that kept you motivated in the early days and when things get overwhelming?
At the beginning, Marirose and I were reading lots of books about people starting companies. We read “Wild Company” about the founding of Banana Republic, “Do The Kind Thing” about the founding of KIND, and “The Republic of Tea”. The common thread of the success stories was that the founders put everything on the line, they risked everything. Failure was not an option because they had put everything in. We kept trusting that if we kept giving it our all, while infusing our decisions with integrity and kindness, that eventually it would work out.
Having mentors that can give you advice is also really key when you are trying to navigate new and overwhelming problems. I don’t think we would have come as far as we have if it wasn’t for the relationships we built with other business owners that were farther ahead than us, as well as the various contacts at Whole Foods who we could reach out to for help. In the end, it’s all about people and forming relationships.
Lastly, having a business partner that you get along with and can lean on in hard times is so incredibly helpful. If I was feeling defeated, Marirose would pull me up and if she felt defeated, I would pull her up. If we both felt defeated, we would sit down and mix ourselves a drink (or two!) and hash out the things we were grateful for, to get a positive perspective, and do some big picture thinking/strategizing. You gotta keep things fun, because if it’s not fun, why are you doing it?
What advice would you give your 18 year old self?
Don’t think about what other people expect or want from you. Follow your heart and your passion even if the road ahead looks difficult or even impossible. Focus on what you want to do, not what you should do. Whatever you are passionate about, that is where you will find success. I listened more to the “should voice” as a young person and wish I had followed my passion more. Another phrase that I love is: “Feel the fear, and move through it.” Often, when you are pushed beyond your comfort zone you feel fear, but that is where the growth is. So, embrace that fear, turn towards it, view it as a growth opportunity, and plod through it bravely.
Looking ahead, what is something you’d like to do in the next 10 years?
I would like to create new packaging for our muffins that’s more eco-friendly. I would also like to have more time to focus on my fine art.
Keep up with Christy & Marirose on Instagram: @muffinrevolution.
Gutsy Women #1 Aisha S., Thistle Employee
Tell us about yourself!
I am a mom of two grown daughters. I am a stalwart vegetarian and love animals. I am multi-racial (Black, Scottish and European, and Native American) and love every aspect of who I am. My name is Swahili, and it means "Life."
What is something you're most proud of?
I am most proud of being a mother. Even though I was a young mom, I always provided space for my daughters to figure out who they were as people and what they wanted to do in life. There is a lot of advice out there about how to raise one's kids, making it easy to follow convention without considering what children may really need and want as individuals.
Share a time that you were faced with a difficult situation and how you overcame it.
When I went from a government HR job into the private sector, I got laid off within the first 6 months. I was living paycheck-to-paycheck at the time, and I was terrified. How would I pay for food and clothes for my daughters? How would I support my family? It was then that I first realized my amazing strength and perseverance, and I approached this like I do everything else: one step at a time. This situation was uncomfortable (life still is sometimes), but I faced my fears, acknowledged that I didn’t have a crystal ball to tell me what path to follow, and continued to put one foot in front of the other. Now my HR career has spanned over 16 years and is continuing to grow.
What song inspires you and helps to push you forward?
"This is Me" by Keala Settle from The Greatest Showman soundtrack. This song encourages you to embrace who you are while loving, fighting, and living for your fullest self.
What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
You are the creator of your dreams, and I can't wait to see what life brings to you. There will be trials, and you will make mistakes, but it's okay because I got you!
Looking ahead, what is something you'd like to do in the next 10 years?
Get back into competitive barrel racing. I rode horses before I could even walk and started competing when I was about 8 years old. Becoming a young mom became my path and I stopped riding, but never forgot how much I loved it.
Meet some of the incredibly inspiring and gutsy women we have the pleasure of having in our Thistle community.
Gutsy Women #3 Sarafina N., Thistle Customer
Tell us about yourself!
I'm an astrophysicist, analog astronaut, author, science communicator, and women's health advocate. I'm wrapping up my PhD in astrophysics at UC Berkeley, where I research exploding stars called supernovae. I recently completed a Mars simulation, where I lived as though I were an astronaut on Mars conducting research and surviving in isolated, harsh conditions. I just published a children's book on astronomy, and am working on my memoir STARSTRUCK. I was recently selected for Forbes 30 Under 30- Science! I use social media to communicate my favorite aspects of the universe and advocate for underrepresented groups in STEM. My goal is to share the magic of the cosmos with everyone, and for everyone to feel that they're capable of pursuing their dreams.
What is something you're most proud of?
I'm most proud of pursuing my dreams despite being told over and over again that I'm not cut out for astrophysics. As a woman of color in STEM, I've been told explicitly and implicitly that I don't belong in STEM. Thankfully, I've had extraordinary mentors who have supported my dreams, but it's been a difficult journey. My goal is to be the woman that young Sarafina would have wanted to see.
Share a time when you were faced with a difficult situation, and how you overcame it.
While I was in college, my dad was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer, and we were both diagnosed with the BRCA2 genetic mutation. This mutation gives me an 87% lifetime risk of breast cancer and 30% lifetime risk of ovarian cancer. When I was 26, just two years ago, I chose to take my health into my own hands and get a preventative double mastectomy to reduce my risk of breast cancer down to <5%. I feel so empowered and proud of my decision, and use my platforms to advocate for women's health, equity in healthcare, and genetic testing.
What’s your experience been like as a woman of color in a field dominated by white men?
To be candid, it's been really difficult. There were many times that I was told I don't belong in STEM. I've experienced outright sexism and sexual harassment tainted with racism. I've had to work extremely hard to prove my worth and take up space in a field in which I never felt like I belonged. I work really hard now to be a source of representation for young women of color who are interested in STEM. Mentorship is hugely important to me.
What song inspires you and helps you push forward?
My favorite song is A Moment Apart by ODESZA. I listened to it before flying weightless in zero-gravity and it was a totally transcendental experience!
What advice would you give your 18 year old self?
I'd tell myself that I'm good enough. To keep pursuing my passion, despite what others might say. To listen to my heart, stand up for myself, and rely on myself. To find my community and mentors who will advocate for me and lift me up.
Looking ahead, what is something you’d like to do in the next 10 years?
Become an astronaut! I'm working towards that goal through research dedication and analog astronaut missions, as well as getting scuba certified and flying in zero gravity. I plan to continue to work towards my dream and push the envelope on what is possible.
Keep up with Sarafina on Instagram: @starstrickensf.
Gutsy Women #2 Christy & Marirose, Founders of Muffin Revolution
If you’ve tried the snacks on our Thistle menu, chances are you’ve enjoyed Muffin Revolution’s delicious 24 Carrot Gold Muffin - it’s so good that we offer it every week!
Tell us about yourself!
As an anthropology major in college and an artist, I never imagined myself to be running a grain-free muffin company. My favorite classes in college were studying the diets of indigenous cultures as well as food politics in America, and as an artist, food is the ultimate work of art; a beautiful creation that people can consume physically, bringing them both pleasure and good health.
My business partner, Marirose, was previously an immigration lawyer and, similarly, never imagined herself running a food business. However, her Italian heritage gave her a passion for food, and her devotion to justice gave her a drive for bringing good food to “the people” when most major brands, at the time, were feeding us junk food.
When you keep yourself open to new paths, life can take wild turns.
What is something you're most proud of?
Getting our muffins into 3 regions of Whole Foods is the thing I am most proud of today. Rewind 12 years and I never would have dreamed such a thing to be possible.
Share a time when you were faced with a difficult situation, and how you overcame it.
2020 was perhaps the hardest year of my life. My business partner had moved to Portland so I was manning the ship myself, which seemed doable until I found out I was pregnant. I was panicked about how the business would run smoothly when I was giving birth and taking a little time off for my maternity leave. Then, a week later, COVID-19 hit the Bay Area and my whole world was turned upside down into complete chaos. Once the shut-down began, we instantly lost half our revenue from catering accounts and cafes, although luckily our grocery store accounts and food delivery accounts (thank you Thistle!) were still going strong. Still, losing half your revenue instantly is terrifying. I felt completely paralyzed. How could I navigate this time of uncertainty alone and pregnant?
Honestly, the only thing that helped me get through that dark time was meditation and putting my trust in divine intelligence to guide me. The deeper I got in my meditation and the more I focused my attention toward surrendering to a higher power, the guidance that I was seeking appeared miraculously from all directions—it was a magical experience. As the grant money and PPP loans came available, things started to look brighter and the right employees showed up at the right time to help the business run.
I also have to mention the importance of community in that difficult time. We share a facility with two other companies, and it was so vital to be able to share with the other owners the feelings of fear and to exchange information regarding the new funding that was becoming available.
As a business founder, what is something that kept you motivated in the early days and when things get overwhelming?
At the beginning, Marirose and I were reading lots of books about people starting companies. We read “Wild Company” about the founding of Banana Republic, “Do The Kind Thing” about the founding of KIND, and “The Republic of Tea”. The common thread of the success stories was that the founders put everything on the line, they risked everything. Failure was not an option because they had put everything in. We kept trusting that if we kept giving it our all, while infusing our decisions with integrity and kindness, that eventually it would work out.
Having mentors that can give you advice is also really key when you are trying to navigate new and overwhelming problems. I don’t think we would have come as far as we have if it wasn’t for the relationships we built with other business owners that were farther ahead than us, as well as the various contacts at Whole Foods who we could reach out to for help. In the end, it’s all about people and forming relationships.
Lastly, having a business partner that you get along with and can lean on in hard times is so incredibly helpful. If I was feeling defeated, Marirose would pull me up and if she felt defeated, I would pull her up. If we both felt defeated, we would sit down and mix ourselves a drink (or two!) and hash out the things we were grateful for, to get a positive perspective, and do some big picture thinking/strategizing. You gotta keep things fun, because if it’s not fun, why are you doing it?
What advice would you give your 18 year old self?
Don’t think about what other people expect or want from you. Follow your heart and your passion even if the road ahead looks difficult or even impossible. Focus on what you want to do, not what you should do. Whatever you are passionate about, that is where you will find success. I listened more to the “should voice” as a young person and wish I had followed my passion more. Another phrase that I love is: “Feel the fear, and move through it.” Often, when you are pushed beyond your comfort zone you feel fear, but that is where the growth is. So, embrace that fear, turn towards it, view it as a growth opportunity, and plod through it bravely.
Looking ahead, what is something you’d like to do in the next 10 years?
I would like to create new packaging for our muffins that’s more eco-friendly. I would also like to have more time to focus on my fine art.
Keep up with Christy & Marirose on Instagram: @muffinrevolution.
Gutsy Women #1 Aisha S., Thistle Employee
Tell us about yourself!
I am a mom of two grown daughters. I am a stalwart vegetarian and love animals. I am multi-racial (Black, Scottish and European, and Native American) and love every aspect of who I am. My name is Swahili, and it means "Life."
What is something you're most proud of?
I am most proud of being a mother. Even though I was a young mom, I always provided space for my daughters to figure out who they were as people and what they wanted to do in life. There is a lot of advice out there about how to raise one's kids, making it easy to follow convention without considering what children may really need and want as individuals.
Share a time that you were faced with a difficult situation and how you overcame it.
When I went from a government HR job into the private sector, I got laid off within the first 6 months. I was living paycheck-to-paycheck at the time, and I was terrified. How would I pay for food and clothes for my daughters? How would I support my family? It was then that I first realized my amazing strength and perseverance, and I approached this like I do everything else: one step at a time. This situation was uncomfortable (life still is sometimes), but I faced my fears, acknowledged that I didn’t have a crystal ball to tell me what path to follow, and continued to put one foot in front of the other. Now my HR career has spanned over 16 years and is continuing to grow.
What song inspires you and helps to push you forward?
"This is Me" by Keala Settle from The Greatest Showman soundtrack. This song encourages you to embrace who you are while loving, fighting, and living for your fullest self.
What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
You are the creator of your dreams, and I can't wait to see what life brings to you. There will be trials, and you will make mistakes, but it's okay because I got you!
Looking ahead, what is something you'd like to do in the next 10 years?
Get back into competitive barrel racing. I rode horses before I could even walk and started competing when I was about 8 years old. Becoming a young mom became my path and I stopped riding, but never forgot how much I loved it.
