Daily Inspiration: Meet Nancy Scott

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nancy Scott.

Hi Nancy, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Z Fabrique has been a brick and mortar store in Long Beach since 1990. But, before I opened that first store in Retro Row in Long Beach, CA, I started out of my parent’s garage years before. And that came out of insights and inspirations when I was traveling around backpacking the world. I experienced people and places and cultures that I knew that so many folks could not. I saw and was able to buy beautiful things from artisans and craftspeople that were made in their villages in their part of the world – carvings, jewelry, iconography, and other things important and sacred. I wanted to bring it back home for folks to have and enjoy. It was so enjoyable to watch my customers make “finds”, things that they had never seen before with stories that connected them to the piece.
I moved to Belmont Shore, Long Beach, CA, in 1992, just after the LA Riots that tore through Retro Row. And while some of my merchandise choices have changed as times have changed, that initial spirit of inspiration continues to today. When I buy metaphysical stones, I am most often buying them from the folks who have sourced them from the earth. I learn about them and their story, the months of living under the stars in the Yucon, or Mexican desert, or Afghanistan, or wherever. I bring all of that thought and energy back to our brick-and-mortar store for our customers -so many whom I think of as friends.
I thought that Covid would be the reason I stopped “doing my thing.” I love what I do and the adage of, if you love what you do you will never work a day in your life, pertains to me. I feel blessed. Living in Southern California with the incredible diversity is beautiful. I get to see and feel the wonderful energy of So. Cal. every time I am in my store. People trying to help themselves, family members & friends. Customers becoming friends. Friends becoming family. I watch perfect strangers come together in my store, connect, and become friends. The energy and light of that brighten the world. Six-degrees-of-separation no longer exists. We are all connected.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has been a rough, rocky road, but some of the best journeys I have been on were filled with sharp turns, broken down vehicles and incredibly interesting people that I never would have met if the path had been smooth. I believe to be a great business owner you have to keep reinventing your business. Times change, people change, needs change and there is a dynamic beauty in that change. I try to embrace that change. As I learn I transform. Of course, Covid is a really good example of a challenge all businesses had to face, but for me one of the greatest challenges I have faced and still face is tech! I have been in business so long that I watched computer use and cell phones come into existence. Social Media is something I struggle with, and I have a hard time adjusting to that aspect of my business. I have been blessed to have great friends and associates to help me figure it out and just when I think I have something figured out a new platform arrives and once again I am navigating the Social Media Roller Coaster Ride.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
The store is a celebration of art from around the world. Different cultures, perspectives and religious items find space in the store. It is not about our aesthetic; it is about how we help you find yours. If we can help you create a space that you can relax and decompress in-the energy becomes more positive. When you walk out your door you feel more relaxed and at peace with the world. Your awareness of your surroundings is better. You get in a car, on a bus, or a sidewalk and you will treat the people around you with kindness.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My biggest supporters were my Mom and Dad. I have never met two better people in my life. I lost both of them in their 90’s, but credit them with my success and joy for life. My Mom helped me with the accounting (if it wasn’t for her helping with the books I would never have made it) because I HATE doing bookkeeping which comes to now. I have a two friends, Linda Alexander and Paul Brindley, that have been there for me when my parents were sick, helping with accounting, buying and cheerleading when I didn’t think I would be able to get through another day. I give thanks for them being in my life every day. I found a wonderful bookkeeper, Angela, at M.A.S. Tax Service in San Pedro. I have so many friends and customers that have helped me along the way and I always try to live in a place of gratitude for the gifts I have been given.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.zfabrique.com
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/zfabrique
• Facebook: http://facebook.com/zfabrique
• LinkedIn: https://www.linked.com/in/nancyscott
• Twitter: http://twitter.com/zfabrique
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/z-fabrique-long-beach