Minted is one of those creative companies we're so proud is based in the Bay Area. Their paper stationary, invites, and art is not only chic, but it champions independent artists and designers around the world, an initiative that's been part of the strategy, and ultimately the success, for CEO and founder Mariam Naficy.
But beyond the brilliant business mind, Naficy has incorporated giving back into the fundamental values of Minted, most recently partnering with model Christy Turlington Burns' charity Every Mother Counts—dedicated to maternal wellness around the world—to give a portion of proceeds from their gold foil print (see below) to the cause. She went so far as to fly across the world on a recent trip to Tanzania to run the Kilimanjaro half marathon with Turlington Burns to raise awareness for the non-profit, which is awesome in anybody's book. So, we found out what makes her tick.
- What neighborhood do you currently call home? Would you ever move or are you happy in your 'hood?
I live in Pacific Heights, and I like how walkable it is. I love walking around the neighborhood with the kids on the weekends, visiting the public library, stopping for coffee at Wrecking Ball, and walking down to the water. I would also consider living in Jackson Square, where the Minted office is located. It's an artistic neighborhood with some of the coolest old buildings in the city, and I think there are going to be a lot of exciting things happening there soon. We've just renovated our office and let the character really emerge from the bones of the building.
2. What's your hands-down, absolute favorite thing to eat in SF?
I can't pick just one thing! The raviolo di ricotta with egg yolk at Cotogna [on our Big Eat list]; the chicken liver mousse served at brunch at Farmshop in Larkspur; the coconut sticky rice with Vietnamese coffee for breakfast at Out the Door; and the toro tartare at Morimoto Napa would all have to make the list.
3. What's your perfect night on the town?
My husband and I would start with a massage at SenSpa in the Presidio, grab a drink at 15 Romolo, then enjoy dinner with friends at Cotogna.
4. When you need a low-key afternoon, where do you go for down time?
I really relax when I'm running, and I particularly love to run from my house to the Golden Gate Bridge and back. I recently got up at 5:15 a.m. and ran this route. It was transformative seeing the city through a different lens—running in the dark, passing a few other runners with headlamps on, seeing the bridge still lit in the morning, and watching the sun rise over San Francisco gave the city a much smaller and more intimate feel.
With the kids, one of my favorite activities is to take sketchbooks and pencils to SFMOMA. We sit in front of art and really take it in—we don't try to cover everything, but we absorb the art more deeply. SFMOMA is renovating and will be reopening in 2016, so in the meantime it's a great activity to do at the de Young Museum as well.
5. What's your favorite place to go on a day trip from the city?
On a sunny day, I love to bike to Sam's in Tiburon, have lunch and a drink on their outdoor deck by the water, and take the ferry back to the city.
Quick-fire round
Burrito or Burger: Burrito
Presidio or Golden Gate Park? Presidio
BiRite or Mitchell's? BiRite
Bike or MUNI? MUNI
Fort Mason or Dolores Park? Fort Mason
The Independent or the Fillmore? The Fillmore
Baker Beach or Ocean Beach? Baker Beach
Three words that describe your life in SF? Creative, Independent, Dynamic.
The purchase of each “Every Mother Counts” gold foil art print makes a $5 donation towards Every Mother Counts’ mission of addressing the barriers to maternal health around the world and at home. Pricing begins at $34 unframed and $62 framed, available here.
