Today we’d like to introduce you to Carrie Diaz.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Like many of us, I’ve spent a lot of life trying to figure out what my purpose is and definitely fit into a box career-wise. Luckily, I’ve always worked for myself or supported other female entrepreneurs making their dreams happen. So recently, I used the downtime to reconnect and accept that my purpose is to teach others they can heal from the outside in! I’m excited to be building this hub I can use to spotlight all the people and women in Los Angeles doing incredible things.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Pursuing anything that matters is never easy. Right now specifically, social distancing and the impacts of COVID are big challenges for small businesses. A lot of people said it was too risky, but I still decided to launch during this time because we need positive role models in Los Angeles now more than ever. The community needs places they can go to feel seen and get encouragement and acceptance to be themselves and to keep moving forward.
Outside of that, the biggest challenge is translating an industry that’s often seen as being shallow or unimportant, into a tool and resource for healing, friendship, and community. I’m not sure I even relate to the word “fashion” because the way I see it, what we choose to wear every morning is a way to choose confidence in ourselves.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Best Friend Central – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
We’re definitely different for a few reasons. Our buyer has over 25 years experience buying vintage and slow fashion, specifically for someone to feel fun, positive, and invested in themselves. Best Friend Central is actually a relaunch of my 2005 boutique; which was celebrity stylists best kept secret and known for supplying vintage for all seven seasons of Mad Men. But I’m most proud that I have an unconventional approach to the retail experience that goes FAR beyond fashion. I’m very inspired by the positive impact of in real-life women’s circles and the importance of women of all ages. So we have healing events and an IG series called Confidence Conversations. Every visit to my shop is like having your own personal cheerleader and literally like a pep talk with the little Latina version of Jonathan Van Ness from Queer Eye.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Moving forward I’m planning to have a healing sounds workshop with a local DJ, getting my sign painted on the building would be good (lol) or a wall mural with a local artist, and I’m definitely looking forward to sharing the Confidence Conversations lined up with Los Angeles based women.
Other than that, I’ll always have big plans to spotlight LA people every day – I’m the fourth generation of Angelino in my family, including a great grandmother that forged her own path as a female business owner in the 1940’s. So I feel very lucky to celebrate this city through everything I do.
Contact Info:
- Address: 3427 Magnolia Blvd, Burbank CA 91505
- Website: www.BestFriendCentral.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @best.friend.central
Image Credit:
Clyde Jordan , Kosta Potamianos
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