We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sarah Shuman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Sarah , thanks for joining us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?
This is such a lovely question! My parents came from very different backgrounds which largely influenced the way I was raised. Dad is a white man from the suburbs of SoCal while my mom is an immigrant from rural Ethiopia. Although they have various opposing perspectives they’ve always shared two important values: generosity and openness. As a kid, I grew up in a “come as you are” household. Friends could freely grab a snack from the fridge, sing & dance through the hallway, be as silly and expressive as they’d like knowing they’d never be judged. To this day, people often gush to me about how my parents are so welcoming. And it’s true, but it goes beyond that. They genuinely care about others’ backgrounds and perspectives. They have this incredible ability to create a safe space for people to be themselves, and it’s been such a gift to witness. Simply witnessing my parents’ generosity and openness has deeply guided how I move through the world.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My name is Sarah Shuman and I’m a multiracial creative, small business owner, and climate activist.
In November 2024, I founded Solstice Picnics, a climate-conscious luxury picnic business that curates beautiful picnics through a circular economy lens, honoring both people and planet. A circular economy is a system that minimizes waste and pollution, keeps resources in use, and regenerates natural systems (think: reduce, reuse, recycle!). For instance, at Solstice Picnics the vast majority of items featured in our picnics are upcycled or gently-used secondhand. It’s incredible how many items have been used once (or never used) and are put up for sale on Facebook Marketplace in pristine condition. From glassware, to silverware, to picnic tables, to plates – I’ve bought so much from the LA community! It’s felt really special building a business by directly buying from my neighbors instead of purchasing from big corporations. With Solstice Picnics, my goal is to craft joyful experiences that show how luxury and environmental sustainability can beautifully coexist.
In terms of other creative work, in July 2023, I made my filmmaker debut as writer & director of coming-of-age short film, “Tsehai”, at the Oscar-qualifying LA Shorts International Film Festival. This was such a wonderful experience that challenged me in so many ways, particularly in exploring my mixed-race identity. My hope with this film has always been to validate even one person as well as create conversation around belonging.
In my free time, I volunteer with Climate Changemakers, actively working alongside fellow activists to advance U.S. climate policy solutions. I also serve on the board of the “Free to Be Fest”, an annual event celebrating the mixed-race & multicultural community. Most weeks, you’ll probably find me hiking somewhere in the mountains around LA!
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
I have pivoted so many times in both life and career. My first job out of college was with AmeriCorps working for an environmental justice non-profit. Then I decided to go back to school and get a Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential. After that, I moved to Costa Rica and taught there for 1.5 years. When I returned to the U.S. I did some teaching as an elementary school teacher while also creating my short film “Tsehai”. I later worked as a COVID Coordinator for a TV series and took on random creative gigs…and now I have founded and am running a climate-conscious luxury picnic business. Truly, my career has been anything but linear!
When I took the COVID Coordinator position back in 2022, initially I was so excited. I thought “Wow, I get to see how a real Hollywood set runs and this would be the highest paying job I’ve ever had – no more worrying about finances!” Everything seemed awesome on paper…but when reality hit, I found I was unhappy. Working 60-70 hour weeks left me drained and unable to enjoy time with people I love. This job taught me how much I deeply value time.
These days, I work less (and make less), but I have more time, and I’m intentional with it. I’m grateful to have the privilege of this simple & sweet life – slow mornings, time for friends & family, working on passion projects, and being in nature. In the past, I used to feel embarrassed about leading an unconventional life, hopping from one profession to the next, instead of having a more traditional career path. But as time passes I realize more and more that I must trust my intuition. I find when I listen to my intuition and follow my curiosities I am more at peace in life.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
The podcast “Financial Feminist” has had a huge impact on my entrepreneurial journey. It’s taught me the importance of financial literacy, and if you plan to run a business you must know how to manage finances. It also frequently discusses the importance of progress over perfection, which is a reminder I greatly appreciate. I’m fortunate to have at least learned some basics surrounding finances growing up, but this podcast has brought to light SO much information I had no idea existed. Financial literacy should be a required class in our education system (which it is in New Jersey now!). There are so many people and communities who simply never had access to this information, at no fault of our own, but understanding how finances work truly changes lives.
Another podcast I love is “Side Hustle Pro”. The host, Nicaila Matthews Okome, provides actionable tips on starting and running a business while also inviting guests on that are entrepreneurs themselves, many of whom have had to start at ground zero and build their way up. It is a very inspirational and motivational podcast!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://solsticepicnics.com
- Instagram: @solsticepicnics
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhGhFGHHnjw
