Our Friend of the Week - Erin Euser
Your City: San Francisco + Napa will always be homeErin’s What –“I am all about tracking down unique cards to send to my loved ones, whether it’s to celebrate big moments in life or, even better, to send ‘just because’. Often on the hunt for the best selection in San Francisco, I continue to be impressed by the cards at Lavish in Hayes Valley, Lola in North Beach, and Rare Device in NOPA. I was lucky enough to be on the receiving end of a ‘just because’ card a few weeks ago from one of my best friends, Claire, and it has lived on my dresser ever since. The card has an illustration of two corgi puppies on the front and says “I woof being friends.” As Amy knows, corgis are much more than just dogs to our family and cards are much more than just words – they are simple gestures of kindness. Creating moments that make people feel loved and considered only takes a little extra time and a little extra thought. I highly recommend it."
FRIEND OF THE WEEK: 11 QUESTIONSFACEBOOK: @ERIN.EUSERINSTAGRAM: @ERINEUSER
- Nickname ErBear is the only one that really stuck. I give nicknames out like it’s my J.O.B. but don’t prefer them for myself. My mom would say Bubbers but that only comes out on my birthday when she can’t believe I’m not eight any more.
- What’s your short story? Born and raised in the beautiful Napa Valley. Graduated from UCSB with a degree in Communications, a minor in Global Peace & Security, and a gaggle of amazing friends. After a few years back in the Napa Valley working for the Yountville Chamber of Commerce, I moved to San Francisco to start a career in marketing for restaurants and chefs in the Bay Area. I had the pleasure of cutting my teeth with the best in the business, Andrew Freeman & Co. (AFCo), where I learned that I work harder for people I respect and for people who genuinely care about me as much as I do them. Two years ago I transitioned to freelance, continuing to work closely with a select group of AFCo clients and taking on additional projects that I truly believe in.
- What’s your jam? “Candyman" by Zedd + Aloe Blacc. This song is the perfect start to a long run, a long workday, or a long night out. Give it a listen and try not to smile and dance. Impossible.
- What motivates you? Beyond attempting to match my parents’ impressive work ethic, I am motivated by the restaurateurs and chefs I work with who have become so precious to me. There is nothing more motivating than collaborating to achieve goals for/with businesses I care for and especially for those who reciprocate that same consideration back to me. I have now worked with most of my clients for three to four years and have established relationships I so deeply value. I talk to my dear client Umberto Gibin (restaurateur who operates Perbacco, barbacco, and the recently opened Volta) more than I talk to my own parents and do so happily. Umberto has taught me what true hospitality entails, as well as shown me how to lead business in moments of stress while still treating everyone involved with dignity and respect. If you can’t already tell, I adore him. I have learned similar business ethics from Stacy & Adam Jed of Bluestem Brasserie. The mission they have created for Bluestem is motivating in itself – to source from ranchers and farmers that work in harmony with nature. So simple, yet still so rare. As partners in business and in life, they encourage each other to tackle the hard questions most of us would rather avoid. Moral of the story – working with good, kind, and thoughtful people makes me want to HUG + HUSTLE like nothing else in life.
- Who do you think you’d have great friend chemistry with? Besides Channing Tatum? Kidding but not kidding. I would love a good laugh with Amy Schumer or Robin Williams. Or a lunch date with President Obama to take notes on his boundless swagger and approachable leadership.
- What qualities do your favorite friends have in common? They all love food. Whether it swapping recipes with Taryn, eating around town with Allie, cooking for An-Nhien, or fantasizing about meatballs with Julia – my girls can keep up. I have my parents to thank for my understanding and appreciation of food. My father is a non-commercial organic farmer and my mom is the most incredible cook. Nothing tastes better than when it’s grown, harvested, and made with love. #EuserFarms
- What’s the smartest, most inspiring, awesome thing you’ve read, watching or listened to? One of the most hilarious (and pretty crude, so caution!) things I recently watched was the Netflix standup performance by comedian Ali Wong: Baby Cobra. On the smart side, I usually listen to my favorite NPR podcasts while making breakfast and continue to be entertained/educated by Planet Money, TED Radio Hour, and Invisibilia.
- What whets your appetite? Besides a banging bottle of bubbly (currently on the Roederer train), I am also obsessed with mezcal. My favorite cocktail in San Francisco is the Don Agrio at Hog & Rocks – mezcal, lemon, apricot, chili & salt. I’d like one right now actually. On the food side, although I am known to love vegetables, I often dream of maple bars (Bob’s Donuts in SF or Buttercream Bakery in Napa) or a simple PB&J on sliced wheat. Preferably a bit smushed from being in a backpack on a long hike and paired with an epic coastal view.
- What’s next on your To Do List? A trip to Cuba, hopefully this December! If anyone has already made the trip, I would love tips and recommendations.
- How are you friends with Gina + Amy? Amy is a dear family friend and former neighbor of my parents in Napa. Her baby boy Hudson literally dug his way into our hearts during his regular garden visits to work with my dad in the dirt and it’s all history from there. The Parkers simply make life more vibrant (mostly due to Amy’s contagious smile) and we always have the best time together. Feels like we’ve known them my whole life and love having them part of our Napa family.
- Who would you nominate for our next Friend of the Week? An-Nhien Le is an amazing human. Along with being a charge nurse at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital at only 28, she is also a talented musician, attentive friend/sister/ daughter, and a badass athlete – she often coaches boot camp and will soon be swimming from Alcatraz on September 10 (casual). And she’s a total babe.