BUffalo Boss Babe: Sam Epps
This weeks Buffalo Boss Babe is the wonderful Samantha Epps. The first time I met Sam I was when I was a doe eyed crafter walking into WNYBAC wanting to learn Screen printing. Sam was so kind and willing to help me and honestly gave me an amazing learning experience in the coolest basement I have ever been in! Watching Sam's amazing career transform is inspiring. She is the boss babe behind Jack craft fair which tops the list of amazing artisan markets in this city. She is cool, kind, creative and a total Buffalo Boss Babe. We chatted with Sam about life & more!
Photo by Beth Insalaco
What made you start or brought you to where you are today? Tell us your story and what makes you a Buffalo Boss Babe.
My story starts with 4 of the strongest women I know- my mom, 2 aunts and grandmother, who I like to say I’m composed of in equal parts. Being raised by such strong personalities sculpted my most defining attributes and encourage me to be more and better everyday.
I got my start shortly after college, when I started interning at the WNY Book Arts Center, an art non-profit. I can talk forever about how much “experience I gained” and the “people I met,” but at the risk of sounding cliché, I won’t. Besides, what I gained from my internship and eventual position at WNYBAC was far more than that: I mastered the art of self control and patience. I learned that nothing in the world can be everlasting or fair, just because you will it to be. And above all, I learned that art is NOT easy or glamourous.
Being a part of such a tight-knit arts community inspired a project that I’m most proud of today: The Jack Craft Fair. I founded this annual art festival to fill the world with more art. I saw an opportunity to revolutionize the way people thought about “arts & crafts” and to provide an alternative to the long standing art festivals in Buffalo. In doing so, I wanted to provide a platform for emerging artists to grow and connect and encourage more dialogues about art.
Four years later, we’re still going strong! I’ve taken on a partner: one of my best friends, Khrista Tabak organizes the public workshop component of the festival. We have dedicated sponsors, volunteers and supporters. And the event grows a little more each year.
Who are your favorite people to follow?
Lena Dunham –she’s got a lot to say
Gary Vaynerchuk –for whenever you’re feeling down on yourself
NASA –those planets tho
Lord Birthday –…What?
Various artists & designers
Photo by Khrista Tabak
What are your favorite things to do in the area (Buffalo and greater WNY)?
People watching at cafes
Exploring Buffalo architecture
Going to my 4 favorite Asian restaurants
Bike riding virtually anywhere
Photo by Khrista Tabak
Tell me about your favorite collaborations or a dream collaboration?
My dream collaboration? Abbi and Ilana invite me to be on an episode of Broad City….
If you could have coffee with anyone in the world who would it be?
David Lynch. It would be so bizarre.
What are your hopes, dreams, goals? Big or Small.
One of my (current) greatest ambitions is to develop a multi-media empire, dedicated to producing original content about arts & culture. The melding of arts and technology is one of my favorite things to experience as a consumer and favorite things to produce as a marketer. I am very excited to see how new developments in technology not only shape the way we experience art, but everything.
Also, I’d like to retire at 40 and be a rich philanthropist with 9 cats.
Tell us about your family a bit ( 2 or 4 legged ) ?
I come from a small Italian family and on Christmas Eve you can’t hear what anyone is saying.
Photo by Beth Insalaco
This part is our Feel Good Five :)
Color: Coral
Food: Avocados
Super Power: Time Travel
Animal: Rabbit
Season of the year: Summer
Until next time babes!
Buffalo Boss Babes is a woman run blog that features amazing woman doing amazing things in and around the city of Buffalo N.Y. If you know someone doing amazing things for our community, past and present, young and old..... send us a message at buffalobossbabes@gmail.com
Be kind to everyone you meet.
Here's to strong woman! May we know them. May we be them!
