Today we’d like to introduce you to Janine and William Bissic.
Janine and William, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
It was a forever dream for us both to be able to build together full time. We’d master-planned so many variations of this over the years as we stepped away from being small concert venue owners, starting our careers and our family, but we realized the timing would never be “perfect”, we just needed to stop dreaming and do it. Our story together began in Pomona, and it was the most obvious place to re-imagine our next venture. Vital Pomona was born from our love for our community. We’ve been abundantly gifted with supportive family, friends, and opportunity. Those gifts allowed us to create Vital Pomona, a space that celebrates the exchange of gifts in all their many forms.
At the center of the Downtown Pomona Arts Colony, we’ve aspired to create a place that is inclusive, welcoming, and like home. It’s a place to hang out, a place to find a gift for someone, and a place you’ll come to share your gifts of talent with others. We are fiercely proud to be in Pomona and for Pomona. We feature a thoughtfully curated blend of goods from local Pomona Valley artisans and makers, and you can catch workshops and events in the space almost every week. While our doors have only been open since October, our energy has been here in this neighborhood continuously for more than a decade. Vital Pomona has felt like a natural extension of who we are, and we feel incredibly grateful to have been embraced by the community.
Has it been a smooth road?
Entrepreneurship is not easy, it’s not a clear path, there aren’t exact directions. It’s an art and science, and we’ve relied on each other’s strengths to take on different parts of the process. It helps to have the right teammate! Some people ask what it’s like to be married, raise kids, AND work together…not every couple can/should work together, but for us, it’s been the easiest part of the journey!
One of the toughest parts of the journey so far was just deciding to do it in the first place. Janine: I had been working in higher education for a decade and leaving that career for this was a scary. There was a lot of self-reflection, endless late-night talks, and tears. Ultimately I decided there was no way I’d regret taking a risk, I’d probably only regret not doing it. Once that realization happened, and with tons of support from William and our families, I gave notice and prepared to step into the unknown. I thought it would feel stressful (and there was/is a little of that sometimes), but it’s really felt incredibly freeing. I’m filled with endless gratitude daily. This journey and the place we’ve built brings me so much joy and I think (I hope) people feel that when they are in the space.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Vital Pomona – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Vital Pomona is a general/gift store and community space located in the heart of the Downtown Pomona Arts Colony. We feature a curated blend of goods, highlighting local Pomona Valley makers/artists. Vital Pomona is a space that celebrates the exchange of gifts in all their many forms, whether it’s the gift of an inclusive space to hang out, a place to find the perfect gift for someone, or a place you’ll come to share your gifts of talent with others. It’s more than a retail store, it doubles as a community space where you’ll find workshops, events, meeting space, and good people. On the daily people visit to hang out, study, grab a snack or a cold brew coffee, grab a birthday gift, take meetings…etc. On the weekends you might catch an art show, a music showcase, or a cool workshop.
This past month we hosted a completely free clothing swap and a barter-based embroidery class. We’re flexible and the space reflects that. It can be transformed from day to day, and yet it always feels comfortable and welcoming. Right now, we’re most proud of our “mom lunches”. We noticed a need for quick/healthy/affordable food for all the students in the Downtown (shout out to The School of Arts and Enterprise). We dreamed up a fun brown sack lunch idea with handwritten notes from “mom”. Janine writes them all every single day, each bag is unique, and the students love them. What sets Pomona apart from other places is our deep love and commitment to each other. We love our whole neighborhood and we look for as many ways as we can to partner and provide a space for everyone in everything we do.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Pomona is a place to be proud of, and we are! We specifically love the diversity of Pomona Arts Colony. There are murals, amazing lofts, entrepreneurs, artists, students, live music, a tattoo shop, skateboarders, great food, book stores, antiques, clothing, record stores, yoga, a boxing gym…we have it all!
“Pomona is too far”. If you grew up here, you’ve heard this before. People who live west (we’re looking at you LA and OC) feel like Pomona is too far away to visit regularly. It’s not. They’re missing out.
Contact Info:
- Address: 266 W. 2nd St
Pomona, CA 91766 - Website: www.vitalpomona.com
- Phone: 9097668448
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @vitalpomona
- Facebook: @vitalpomona
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