We wouldn't be what we are today without the fabulous folks who make it happen.
Meet Kristen, one of our DUMBO baristas:
Two years ago, craving “the excitement of being in the world’s most influential city,” OGC DUMBO barista Kristen Gonzalez moved from the West Coast to NYC. She’s been with One Girl Cookies since the DUMBO shop opened in February.
Where are you from originally, Kristen?
I'm originally from a small beach town in Orange County California called Ladera Ranch.
What made you apply for a job here?
I enjoy the restaurant business much more than retail. Being a barista for an upscale bakery in Brooklyn seemed much more appealing to me, and I made the right choice.
What are some of your past jobs?
In New York, I worked in retail for one year, and then made crepes after that. During school in California, I worked at random retail jobs and also produced some music/art/fashion festivals in Los Angeles.
Where did you go to school? What did you study?
I first went to Cal Poly Pomona in California for Music Recording Technology; then, I transferred to Pace University in downtown Manhattan to graduate with a degree in Marketing this past May.
What do you do when you are not at OGC?
When I'm off work, I'm working at my internship for a fashion designer or I'm working on my own clothing line called Hummingbirds Design.
Tell me about your clothing line!
Hummingbirds Design is a clothing line constructed for independent women who emanate curiosity and passion for life itself. The HbD woman is eager to learn everything she can about the world in its purest form. Our goal is to enhance these real qualities in women by providing simple yet vivacious apparel for them to proudly exhibit in the public.
What kind of music do you like to play when you are working behind the counter?
I usually tend to lean towards dance music since I love to dance while I'm working. When I'm at work, you'll hear bands such as Toro Y Moi, Wild Nothing, Hercules and Love Affair, and Whitest Boy Alive. When I'm at home I listen to a range of musical artists that can go from pop rock such as St. Vincent to crazy electronic such as Purity Ring and then to more main stream such as Frank Ocean.
What’s the last movie you saw?
Batman the Dark Knight Rises. It was INSANE good. I'm in love with Joseph Gordon-Levitt so I may be a bit biased.
Read anything good lately?
Yes! I just finished a book by Tom Robbins called “Jitterbug Perfume”. I'm obsessed and I plan on reading the rest of his books.
When it comes to snacks, do you prefer sweet or savory?
I prefer savory snacks. Honey mustard pretzels will be the death of me.
Any good sweets memories you’d like to share?
I remember when my grandma would bring back sweet pan from the Mexican bakery that she would let us scarf down in mass quantities. I have yet to find this sweet bread in NYC.
