Introducing five people who work out of HudCo, telling us what they’re up to when they’re not answering email. A leadership coach who takes meetings on foot. A biotech founder with a sculpture degree. A financial advisor with an identical twin. An acupuncturist who used to spin fire for a living. Below, in their own words.
Emily Darosa
Resides in: Tarrytown
Profession: Financial Advisor—Seven Mile Advisory
Favorite local business: Bakehouse of Tarrytown
Fun fact: I am an identical twin!
Current TV show, album, book or podcast that you can’t get enough of: Crime Junkie and the All In podcasts
Nastasja Dharsi
Resides in: Mamaroneck
Profession: I have an online gallery and art consultancy at Palett. I source Scandinavian vintage art—both ready to ship and bespoke sourcing for your project or home.
Favorite local businesses: I love barre3 in Dobbs Ferry for barre classes that are challenging but so fun. It’s a lovely community too, with lots of events for members.
Fun fact: I grew up in Sweden, so sourcing pieces from there feels like a full circle moment!
A book that you’re enjoying? Bob Iger’s book “Ride of a Lifetime” was fascinating. I don’t often read business books but Disney is such an iconic brand and it was a great read.
Stephanie Goichman
Resides in: Riverdale, The Bronx
Profession: I am a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine at SG Acupuncture. You can find me on Instagram at @sg_acupuncture and at sgacupuncture.com.
Favorite local business: I can’t make it a week without a trip to Mom’s Organic!
Fun fact: I used to perform with fire — spinning fire hula hoops and fire poi!
Share your favorite tip for staying focused: I love to start the day with movement that gets my heart rate up. Whether it’s cycling, running, or a personal morning dance party, getting my body moving first thing does wonders for helping me feel focused, energized, and confident—and sets the tone for the rest of the day.
And here’s my acupuncture nerd moment: in Traditional Chinese Medicine, DU20 (Baihui)—the point at the very top of the head—is associated with raising clear Yang energy and clearing the mind. So sometimes I’ll give it a gentle tap to help wake up my brain and get into focus mode!
Sarah Peck
Resides in: We moved to Dobbs Ferry in 2020 just as everything was closing down and shuttering doors. It took a while to get to know people, but we’ve since gotten to know so many wonderful neighbors and friends!
Profession: I’m a writer, leadership coach, and communications strategist. My projects include The Wise Women’s Council, a year-long coaching program for women in business, and How To Be Human, a newsletter about leadership, friendship, work, and building a more thoughtful life. Before that, I hosted the Startup Parent Podcast, a show where I interviewed founders and parents. I’m on Substack and I’m also on LinkedIn.
Favorite local businesses: I love Climbing Wolf for weekend coffee, coworking, and beer! They’re opening another location in Tuckahoe. If you stop by the shop, all of the window plants are from my house (I love houseplants).
Fun fact: I’m a former college athlete and so you’ll often find me hiking, swimming, taking a yoga class, or trying a dance class. The more movement and embodiment throughout the day, the better I feel. Ask me for a walk-and-talk over any sitting meeting.
Share your favorite tip for staying focused: If I’m having trouble focusing, I know there’s probably a human need that’s not being met — food, water, movement, reflection, or connection. If I set a timer for 10 minutes and fill my cup with one of those things, I usually can focus a lot better.
Kevin Slavin
Resides in: Riverdale, but our daughter goes to school in Dobbs
Profession: I am 7 months into running a biotech startup I cofounded, Fairfield Bio. It’s the first global marketplace for the exchange of non-human genomic data.
Fun fact: I’m a serial entrepreneur, now running a biotech company, and credit the only education I ever got, which was a BFA in sculpture.
Current album you can’t get enough of: Listening to a lot of Yung Lean these days
What excites you most about HudCo? People are nice, which turns out to be asking a lot.