It started in Belgium.

When you grow up in a place where crossing a border means stepping into a whole new culture, you learn early that the world is layered, messy, and endlessly interesting. I’ve been on the road ever since—chasing what’s beautiful, useful, and a little bit unexpected.

I spent decades building two homeware brands in the US and traveling nonstop to connect with makers. I learned from the very best, some who pioneered US retail in the last 30 years. That has shaped how I see things: how a product is made, where it comes from, what it means to the person who makes it—and to the one who brings it home.

These days, people call me a treasure hunter, a puzzle maker. That feels about right. I look for the pieces that matter, and I figure out how to make them fit.