From advertising to sustainability, Liz is an entrepreneur who co-founded a diapering system that has become a go-to resource for parents looking for reusable alternatives called Esembly.
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on her morning routine
My son generally makes his way into my bed around 5:30am which wakes me up. He falls back asleep and I lay next to him catching up on work emails and reading the NY Times Morning briefing. Then I get up around 7am and go rollerblading along the waterfront. I used to be a runner but recently developed runners knee so I swallowed my pride and got myself a pair of rollerblades to scratch that itch.
on her first job out of college
I went to art school to study photography. My first job out of college was working as a studio manager/assistant for a romance novel photographer. I found the job listing on Craigslist, interviewed, and accepted all within a span of a few days. I mainly took the job because the 2 girls that interviewed me were my age and seemed like people I’d want to hang with. They are still, MANY years later, 2 of my closest friends. The funny part is that I had no idea what a romance novel was! I thought he shot pretty landscapes or something. I had no idea I’d be helping stage bed scenes for Harlequin. Needless to say, it was a fun first gig.
From advertising to founding a sustainable diapering system
I left the world of romance novels and got a job as an art producer working for Wieden + Kennedy. I absolutely loved it. I had the privilege of working with some truly amazing art directors, photographers and illustrators. I got to travel to fun places, and learned a TON about budgeting for and managing large productions. Skills I lean on often as a business owner. But after giving birth to my daughter in 2009, I had a hard time motivating to go back. The late nights and travel that I once loved were suddenly problematic. And I was feeling a strong call to spend my time away from the baby doing something I felt was truly meaningful. When one of my colleagues at Wieden asked me to help her with a start-up that combined environmentalism and community, I couldn’t resist. That start-up is our cloth diaper service Diaperkind, which continues to grow and thrive 11 years later. Diaperkind went on to serve as the inspiration and foundation for Esembly, our newly launched brand of sustainable diapers, skincare, storage and laundry.
““I’m born and raised in Brooklyn by parents who were also born and raised in the city. I’m the oldest of 3 and very much embody every stereotype of “oldest sibling”.”
On her introduction to sustainability
My friend Colleen, whom I met while working for the romance novel photographer, had a big influence on me in that department. Through her I became interested in sustainability. Bicycling, growing organic food, composting, reducing, reusing, recycling, the works. I developed some great habits and interests back then that I continue to carry on today.
on what motivates her
I’m most motivated by curiosity and my innate desire to solve problems. Big ones and little ones. I am passionate and somewhat impulsive and have a hard time staying idle. NYC motivates me. The energy, the movement, the fact that it’s ever changing. I just love it. And it’s cheesy but my kids inspire me to be a better version of myself. Because they are always watching and taking it all in.
on the effects of COVID on self and her business
Gosh I can’t think of a single way in which COVID has not affected me and the businesses. My family is used to being busy. Work, school, piano lessons, swim, more work, pottery throwing, dinners out, friend meet-ups, weekends away, etc. We never stopped moving and were rarely all home together unless we were sleeping. And then come March, that all changed. Our jam-packed, color-coded calendar was wiped clean. On one hand it was kind of amazing. There was an air of calm and ease that I had only ever felt while on maternity leave. It was similar to that hat foggy postpartum haze when time stands still. But there was also the sharp reality of what we were living through. I was scared of the virus and exhausted. My husband and I literally both working from home round the clock and trying to figure out how to also school our kids. All under one roof with one bathroom. The past 5 months have been messy to say the least, but we are figuring it out. Every day is a new adventure!
““I have none. Zero. I need some rituals though because most days I feel like a live wire! I’m open to any/all advice.””
Jumper, Beacon’s Closet
Jumper, Beacon’s Closet ; Clogs, Bryr
on her style
My style is easy and comfortable. I chase kids and ride my bicycle daily so my outfits have to accommodate that. I like my clothing to have some flow and movement, but it also needs to have structure cause I’m petite and can easily get swallowed up in what I wear. I’m a sucker for a beautiful print and I love the feel of woven textiles. Not surprisingly, I’m a bit obsessed with Ace & Jig and Matter Prints.
on her beauty routine
About a decade ago I met the founder of the Brooklyn Herborium through Diaperkind. She was having a baby and asked if we would barter facials and skincare for diaper service. It was the single best business decision I ever made! Emma changed the way I thought about, and cared for my skin. From the inside out. To this day I religiously use her oils and hydrosols for cleansing and moisturizing. As for makeup, I mainly go au natural but when I do want to fancy things up I wear Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint, Beautycounter Sheer lipstick in Currant, Clinique Naturally Glossy Mascara in jet black and my all time favorite fragrance, Maison Louis Marie No. 04. For haircare, I love R+Co Badlands Dry Shampoo Paste.
on what she’s reading and listening to
I made a commitment to myself in January of 2019 to only read books by female authors for the year. It was so fun that I’ve kept it going. Some of my favorites have been Euphoria by Lily King, White Teeth by Zadie Smith, The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin, and Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. Podcasts are my thing. My main go-tos are Revisionist History, Pod Save America, Hysteria, and Well Made. I recently finished Wind of Change, Catch and Kill, This Land, and 1619 (all 4 of which I HIGHLY recommend).
liz’s favorite places in nyc
I love biking across the Manhattan Bridge at dusk, ride the ferry anywhere, kill time in Books are Magic, and eat arepas at Caracas on Rockaway beach.
Images taken by Liz Turrigiano