Ally Ferguson

Ally (@hoppielongstockingz), the founder of the uniquely conceptualized brand @seeker_us, embodies the perfect fusion of East meets West. She's not just a visionary in fashion; she's also an avid surfer and has played ice hockey professionally. I feel incredibly fortunate to have crossed paths with such a wonderful and inspiring individual.

1. You started a clothing brand called Seeker. Could you tell me a bit about that?

Seeker started as a passion project after trekking through India and the east. I realized there's a better way to dress from day to night, prayer to play, eating and onto sleeping. Through out my travels I found elegantly worn daily garb can be found in abundance. After seeing the people move comfortably and look so lovely I set out to offer comfortable conscious clothing with upon my return to the US. I like to call it clothing for the Modern Monk.

2. What is your advise to woman who are thinking about starting their own company? DO IT! Start something, anything you are passionate about. Manifest, give yourself goals and time. Be patient and stay in the game. The next thing you know you'll become what you imagined.

3. Tell me one Ally fun fact...

I don't have any cavities...

4. When do you fell most confident?

When I am about to embark on a journey and haven't made any particular plans. 

5. Who are your mentors and idols?

My mom and Dad, The Dalai Lama, Pema Chodron, Ram Dass, Michele Lamy & Rick Owens, Friends.

6.  Is love all we need?

I think it just might be!

7. What is one word that describes you?

Optimistic 

8. What are the values and principles you believe are important to live by?

I have a few mantra's but the first that comes to mind is "how can I be of service" as well as "be love and tell the truth"

9. What is the best advise you have ever received?

"When the student is ready the teacher appears"

10. What does success mean to you?

Has that definition changed over the years? Success to me means freedom to explore your interests whatever those maybe. It has most definitely changed over the years. I used to have this master plan full of goals and timelines which equaled success to me. Now as time has passed - success to me is having time to do what you want because we are all on a clock.

11. Who has had the biggest impact on your life and perspective?

My mom. She's introduced me to all levels of elevated thought and as well as challenged and supported what I have learned along the way. 

12. Are birthdays a big deal?

They Absolutely ARE! 100% celebrate each trip around the sun. You never know how many opportunities you will have to celebrate. celebrate yours and everyone you love big and small!

𝕮𝖍𝖗𝖎𝖘𝖙𝖎𝖓𝖆 𝕻𝖑𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖘

@tattoosbytina isn't just about tattoos. She also loves riding motorcycles, skating, and hanging out with her cat Cheezeburger.

Posted May 31st 2017

1. Could you please tell the story of how you became a tattooer?

In 2011, six months after I graduated from art school, I decided that I was going to pursue tattooing. I was given the invitation to hang out at the tattoo shop on the weekends. It wasn't anything official, but eventually turned into an apprenticeship. I finally found something I was passionate about, so I had to just dive in and I haven't looked back since.

2. What are some of the obstacles you have had to overcome working in a male-dominated industry?

A lot of people I've worked with have this idea that all women are overly dramatic and change the atmosphere of the tattoo shop. Some men won't even hire women for that reason. I can see how that may have been an issue back in the day when it was only sailors and bikers getting tattooed, but nowadays there are people of all ages and sexes in the tattoo shop. I believe women will always have to prove that we got to where we are at because of our work, and not for other assumed reasons.

3. What are some of the core principles and values you believe are important to live by?

I've learned that being respectful and open-minded get you far in life. So many people, especially artists, are naturally selfish when it comes to creating their work. If you look to what is being created around you, you tend to grow much more as an individual.

4. What is the best thing your grandmother's cook?

My favorite thing they would make were their Greek pastries. We would get them during the holidays. Luckily, my mom still makes all of that and has passed the traditions down to my generation.

5. What do you like most about riding your motorcycle?

There's a thrill that comes with it. Riding in LA is garbage, but once you get to those open roads your world changes. Nothing else really matters at that point.

6. Tell me one Tina fun fact....

I'm a crazy cat lady and my cat's name is Cheezeburger.

7. You used to work at a skate shop; could you tell me a bit about that?

I worked at a bicycle/skate shop when I was in college. I was hired because of my experience with skating, but it's actually where my love for cycling was born. I worked mainly in the skate shop, ordering parts and building boards for people. It was a fun job and I met quite a few friends through cycling at that time.

8. What do you want for your next birthday?

My next birthday I would like to travel. Whether it's to a foreign country or camping somewhere local. I would just like to be away from home and see something new.

9. What does it mean to have courage?

To have courage, you must face your fears. The goal is to overcome those fears, but sometimes just facing them is the hardest part. Doubt is a very real thing that we all experience at times, but without doubt, we would never feel the joy of accomplishment.

10. Describe empowered....

Feeling like you have everything you need to accomplish your goals. I feel empowered every time I'm around my super talented and successful girlfriends.

11. What is the best advice you have ever received?

You learn from your mistakes. Every time I create a piece of work it is a stepping stone to mastering that craft.

12. When learning to tattoo what tools did you use to practice?

Before I was able to tattoo I would paint flash. It's the groundwork for traditional tattooing. Trying to get a grasp on the design is the first step. Once I started tattooing, I was lucky enough to have friends that let me practice on them. I used my legs as practice when I didn't have anybody else to work on. I feel grateful for all the people who trusted me enough to lend me their skin.

13. What advice would you give to a woman who is thinking of entering a male-dominated industry and what are some tricks you think are worth passing on?

Keep your head up and stay focused on your craft. If you work hard, everything else will fall into place.

Jaime Dempsey

Today, we are thrilled to introduce the incredible @jme_demps. Not only is she the co-founder of the women's motorcycle brand @atwyld, but she also hosts the super cool travel show "Ride and Seek," filmed in Southeast Asia. In the show, she embarks on thrilling journeys, riding her bike to discover and explore the beauty of the world. Jaime, we celebrate you and your adventurous spirit!

This shoot was originally published May 10th, 2017

You are the host of a motorcycle/ travel show filmed in south east asia called Ride N Seek. Could you tell me a bit about it? 

I got really lucky landing this gig where I travel on 2 wheels around different countries in SE Asia, and I try different adventures and cultural activities along the way. I have a small film crew that follows me and I meet and interview different people in each area that I visit. I learn so much about the culture of each country by being so immersed in it and spending a month on the road filming and riding. Its hard work but so rewarding! So far we have filmed Malaysia, Borneo, and 2 seasons in the Philippines (Luzon and Visayas). I'm about to leave to film my 5th season and I'll be traveling around Mindanao, Philippines

Have you always been one to hop in front of the camera?

I'm actually more used to being behind the camera. I graduated college with a BFA in photography and also spent a few years as a wardrobe stylist. I was so awkward when I first started filming the show, but now that I have 5 seasons under my belt I've learned to be much more relaxed and myself. Its funny to look back at season 1 and see the difference!

What does success mean to you and has you definition changed over the years?

Success to me used to mean finding a career that I was good at that paid me well. As I've gotten older I realize that there's more to it than that. Having a well paid job does not guarantee happiness, and finding happiness and fulfillment doing something I love has become much more important to me that how much I make while doing it. I may not have a steady income now, but I've traveled the world and started my own business all on my own terms. That makes me feel pretty darn successful.

What does it mean to be courageous?

To me being courageous means to have the strength and the guts to take chances in life. It takes courage to be independent, to put yourself in circumstances outside of your comfort zone, and to risk failure to follow your dreams.

Describe empowered….

Someone that is empowered has strength, and anything that can be described as empowering can give you that strength. For me one of those things is my motorcycle. When I'm riding I feel free, independent and strong. I feel like I can accomplish anything I set my mind to, and that is empowerment. 

What advice would you give to a women who is thinking of getting on a motorcycle for the first time?

I took a motorcycle safety course which not only helped me learn to ride a bike but also how to ride it as safely as possible on the street. It teaches you things that friends and family may not think to tell you. I've also been dirt biking a few times and I think now that mastering a dirt bike could really help hone your skills on a street bike too. Plus it's so much fun!

Could you tell me a bit about the women's motorcycle scene and why you are drawn to it?

Women motorcyclists are such nice girls! Our common love of 2 wheels makes us fast friends, and you don't find that really in any other scene. Women have a reputation of being caddy or judgmental towards each other but in the motorcycle scene we have nothing but love and support for one another. It's that kind of positivity and love for adventure that draws me in. I never had so many girlfriends until I got involved in this community.

Tell me a jaime fun fact.

My dad's nickname for me is snookumpopper. I have no clue what that means haha.

You are a production designer for the women's motorcycle apparel brand ATWYLD. How did you get involved and what is the best thing about starting your own company?

I was on a ride with 2 girlfriends through Angeles Crest in Los Angeles and when we stopped for lunch we talked about how non of us were wearing anything protective because there was nothing out there that we wanted to wear. We wanted to wear clothes that looked like our regular fashion street clothes but had protective properties, and no one was doing this yet. We realized we each had the background in apparel to help get it done, and so we decided to go for it! Starting your own company is scary and stressful, but I am so happy that we took the chance and we've come this far. The response has been amazing. The best part is the pride you feel when you work hard to create something of your own.

What was the last awesome thing that happened to you?

The last awesome thing was hearing that I'll be doing another season of Ride N Seek and I get to go back to the Philippines and ride. This also means that I can continue to work on Atwyld without worrying too much about finances for a little while, and oh yeah, I'm going to buy a dirt bike. I really want to get better at riding in the dirt!

What is the best part of being a female motorcyclist? 

The best part of being a female motorcyclist is the community of female riders that you join and all the fun rides and camp outs that you do together. Also the surprised face that you see on some people when they find out you ride is pretty cool too haha

What is the worst part of being a female motorcyclist? 

The worst part can be when you are underestimated, Like you aren't tough enough to ride in the rain, or you are too small to handle that bike, or you can't possibly know how to change your own oil. Fortunately these misconceptions are dying out as we keep proving them wrong.

What’s the next step you’re going to take to get you where you want to be?

We just launched our first collection for Atwyld last fall, and we are working hard to release some more great stuff this spring. I plan on spending the next couple of years working as hard as I can to help Atwyld be the #1 moto apparel line for women, and of course squeezing in some travel and adventure in between ; ).

Sara Lyons

@saramlyons holds the honor of being the first woman featured in the Unstuck Women project. Her beauty, grace, and independent spirit shine brightly. Sara owns her own business and creates products and art full-time. We admire her honesty and courage in sharing her vulnerabilities. Sara, we celebrate you.

This shoot took place on February 13, 2017….