September 11, 2020 Meet the team
Meet the Team - Sam Tannenbaum
2 years ago, Sam joined the MINNA team as an intern. After graduating from FIT with a degree in textile/surface design, they came back to join the team in Hudson working in both the shop and studio.
Between design projects, organizing the studio, shipping packages, and the occasional dance break, Sam wears a lot of hats at MINNA.
By Sam Tannenbaum
Sam Tannenbaum
they / them
Where are you from?
Oneonta, NY
What do you do at MINNA?
I am a Studio/Retail Associate & Design Assistant. I spend a portion of my time in the studio shipping orders, have some days in the shop helping out customers, and fit in some design and styling projects in there too - whether that’s designing new products or recoloring some of our favorites for an upcoming collection, creating technical specs of our products to be sent to the artisans we work with, or doing some soft goods styling to make sure our textiles look their best in photos!
How did you get started with MINNA?
Being a long-time fan of MINNA, I excitedly joined the team as an intern in the summer of 2018! Upon completing my final year of textile studies at FIT, I returned to Hudson and started back up in my current position.
What does working ethically mean to you?
Working ethically to me means prioiritizing how to better our local and wide-reaching community that we belong to. Looking into every step of the process and thinking through how it will impact the artisans, the customers, and the rest of the people we work with in a postive manner while also thinking how we can impact our environment in the least harmful way possible is always at the forefront of what we do on a day-to-day basis.
An unexpected day off looks like…
I would probably spend most of the day visiting an art museum or going on a hike before grabbing a baguette on my way home where I would set up my loom for a new weaving adventure or work on one of the many textile projects I have already started but have yet to finish...
Secret/hidden talents?
I know how to tap dance! I grew up dancing at my eldest sister’s dance studio, various styles for many years, but the only one that really stuck for me was her and my favorite of tap. I’m currently trying to learn a bit of Sean Nós dancing, so hopefully that becomes a hidden talent too down the line.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve gotten? The best piece of advice you give?
My friend once gave me a ceramic piece they made that said “On your way, you’ll be okay” and although that isn’t advice per ce, maybe more of a mantra, I think about these words often. Even if you aren’t fully confident in where you are in life, things will pass and all will be better again. I feel like this is also the advice I try to pass along to others.
