North Bay Woman

32 NORTH BAY WOMAN | F A L L 2 0 1 5 for the popular clothing brand, Esprit, and designed several lines. Bolinas resident Susie Buell, who co-founded Esprit with her husband, Doug Tompkins years earlier, would become one of Griffin- Black's most important mentors. "Susie was the first woman I saw who had a tremendous amount of poise, creative ability, her own money and her own business," Griffin-Black remembers. "I saw how human she was and how it was possible to have kids and a life and a business." Earnest endeavors Today, Buell, a social activist, is part of Griffin-Black's core group of friends who meet regularly to laugh and catch up on each other's lives. Buell recalls that when she traveled to the Congo a few years ago, she asked Griffin-Black for a few donations to take with her. "She was so generous," says Buell, who uses EO products herself. "She sent a pallet full of great, current products to load on the plane." Buell adds that what consistently speaks to her about her accomplished friend is how true she remains to her brand and her mission. "There wasn't much awareness about social responsibility or making pure products 20 years ago," Buell points out. "It was harder in every way to be a purist but Susan has so much conviction in what she believes. She's not a dreamer; she understands what it takes to get it done." That clarity aids Griffin-Black as she maneuvers EO Products along new paths. "There are roadblocks all the time because of the fits and starts of small business manufacturing in Marin; it's part of the territory," she explains. "We've never taken any private equity or institutional money so we're thinly financed but we're very purposeful about that. We're always reinvesting in the company." EO's current challenge, she says, is managed growth. "How do we grow in a way that doesn't stress anyone out too much, uses our resources wisely, and be selective about our opportunities?" That's when her 25 years of studying Zen Buddhism come to the fore. "It informs everything I do," she says. "My guiding philosophy is to treat people the way you want to be treated with kindness and respect, transparency and a sense of humor. Those are the most important qualities." Of course, the ultimate challenge, she admits, "is how do I be kind in the most difficult situation, but, like everything else, with practice you get better at it." That mindful heart is what endears her to her >> con't on pg. 34 Photo by Stuart Lirette. Our Commitment: To develop a comprehensive, customized financial plans to help our clients pursue their lifelong financial goals. Our goal is to enable our clients to relax, enjoy their lives, and feel more confident about their future. Services Guided by Your Values and Insight Your future is our business. Your confidence our goal. Specializing in the unique financial investment needs of life transitions for women such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, empty-nesting, retirement and career "re-inventions". Knowledge is power and leveraging money to make money is something women have not been taught. Education, as much or a little as you need, combined with our planning process is key to our successful relationship. We help you gain the knowledge and insight needed to make empowered, well-informed financial decisions. 350 Ignacio Blvd, Suite 105 • Novato, CA 94949 Andrei Jigalin, CFP ® • 415-506-4569 • alphawmp.com Andrei Jigalin is a Registered Representative with and Securities offered through LPL Financial. Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Alpha Wealth Management and Planning, a registered investment advisor and separate entity from LPL Financial.

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