One rainy Sunday afternoon, few weeks ago my motivation seemed to have failed me. I was laying in bed, staring at the TV and found myself exhausted from working like a complete manic. Ocassionaly I get hit by these moments, like I guess many of us do, so don’t judge. Like many times before, I found myself stuck in a moment where I do nothing and feel useless and guilty about it. Only this time, it was different as I was determined to cure my Sunday blues and opened the New York Times to find something inspirational to read. I’ve opened the opinion section and there it was the article that brought back the drive I was lacking, written in unapologetic bold words.
“Ever since I was a little girl, my fairy tale ending involved a pantsuit, not a wedding dress. Success meant doing something well enough to secure independence. My something was my writing.
If she can see it, she can be it. I want to be it for little girls whose parents aren’t saving for their educations, whose friends make fun of them for wanting too much from their lives. I want to make the kind of money that allows me to jet to Mexico on a Tuesday, to meaningfully contribute to nasty politicians, to afford a shark of a lawyer if any man ever lays a finger on me again.” — Jessica Knoll for the NY Times
Rewind couple of weeks later, I set down to write this article for our latest cool face of Bastet Noir and there, within the answers to the interview questions I’ve sent, I found that this little piece written by Ms. Jessica Knoll has been an inspiration to someone else besides me. And not just anyone else, but the impressive Molly Graizzaro. For those of you who are emerging designers, this name should ring a bell, as she was the one responsible for Tictail’s PR strategy and a guest stylist for Keep. Today, she’s the communication manager of the amazing coliving company Common, a woman who will always choose NYC to Paris (my kind of gal), considers heels as enemies and someone who has managed to gain my respect, strangely, but honestly because of being a beer kind of woman. She is a WOMAN, hear her roar in the latest edition of Cool Faces of Bastet Noir.
Who is Molly Graizzaro?
I’m a marketing and communications professional for growing startups, and currently the Communications Manager for the incredible company Common. Although I work in Manhattan, I live in my favorite neighborhood Williamsburg, Brooklyn with my boyfriend. I love throwing dinner parties for my friends, drinking sake, reading the New Yorker, and talking about articles I read in the New Yorker.
What’s a working day like in Molly Graizzaro’s life?
Everyday is so different, but I make sure to make myself a quality breakfast every morning. It’s my favorite meal of the day, and there’s nothing quite like the smell of toast and bacon when you wake up. After that, I’m usually meeting editors for coffee, heading to the office for meetings, scarfing down lunch over a strategy call, and prepping for a media interview. I love ending the day with a Hill Farmstead beer in the backyard of my favorite bar Spuyten Duyvil.
Best part about your job…
Convincing someone to love a company that I love too. At Common, we’re reshaping the way people are living in cities. How cool is that.
Worst part about your job…
Watching as magazines fold before my eyes. RIP Interview.
Name three things that inspire you daily and help boost your creativity
First, Scrolling through Instagram on a daily basis is definitely part of my job, but it can sometimes drain both creativity and productivity. I find myself reignited and inspired when stumbling upon some of my favorite illustrators like Kristin Texeira, Eleonora Arosio, and Estee Preda in my feed. Not only are they talented artists but truly influential women I’ve gotten the chance to know. You need to follow them too!
Second, as corny as it may sound, there isn’t a day that goes by where I’m not inspired by the NYC skyline. If I’m out for dinner, sitting in a meeting, or going for a walk, I always seek it out like it’s hidden treasure. Whenever I’m unsure about a path I’ve taken, I find a good view and feel smacked in the face with the beauty of my city. And then I know I’m exactly where I need to be.
Last, a cookie. A cookie can change your whole day for the better. For me, it’s the Milk Bar corn cookie always.
What fashion, art or PR book would you say has shaken your core beliefs?
I am a huge 30 Rock fan, so I was super excited to read Tina Fey Bossypants in 2011 and laugh my pants off. What I got was so much more. Beyond the laughs was a story of staying true to yourself during your career, and taking pride in being a powerful woman in the workplace. Plus, it was the first book I ever read that made be believe not being the picture perfect success story is okay. Finding our own quirky path is great too.
Favorite female empowerment speech
A female figure who has had a tremendous impact on your style
New York or Paris?
New York. Always New York. Did I say New York?
What’s in your Bastet Noir cart?
Molly is the type of woman whose appearance demands attention. She has that cunning charm and wits of an Italian woman. Perhaps it’s just her surname or her beautiful face features. Who knows really? I do know one thing though, she’s a force to be reckoned with and will surely one day take the PR world by storm, if she hasn’t already. So thank you Molly for being a part of our story. Your support means the world to us.
We love strong, confident and self reliant women, so if you think you got what it takes, send us an email with your Instagram account and the story you’d like to share and you might just become Bastet Noir’s next cool face.
If you liked Molly’s story, there’s plenty more to come, just hit that sign up button to get in our inner circle of coolness and never ever miss a thang.