We spend ample time introducing you to new faces who join the HudCo ranks; we wanted to shift gears and spotlight the members who have been with us since our first, tiny, Ikea-filled office upstairs.
Jenny Rosenstrach, Doug Schneider, Jennifer Holiday, and Robin Helman (shown above, clockwise) were among the freshman HudCo class, and they have stayed with us and have so kindly been our biggest cheerleaders. But wait ’til you see what they have brought the world—these are some of the most talented, creative, and generous individuals that Westchester has ever known.
We asked them some questions so you can get to know them better, be inspired for your media diet and fitness regimen, and
Your profession and/or business:
Jenny: I am a food writer—I write recipes, essays about recipes, cookbooks, and a blog that is now mostly a substack newsletter.
Robin: I am a graphic designer focusing on brand identity, packaging and publication design. I am also a co-founder of the award-winning Go Love NY, which curates private day trips for small groups to the Rivertowns and the Hudson Valley. I am also a co-producer of Rivertown Public Market (with fellow HudCo members), an annual open-air food festival in Westchester.
Doug: Food photographer. Gummy hustler for Via Viaggio. Drummer for Dude of Life Band.
Jennifer: 744 Creative, design and marketing studio.
How do you spend your summer days?
Robin: Every year since I was a kid, I have spent part of the summer in Italy. And to keep that feeling going at home, my favorite summer activity is having a Campari spritz with a bowl of potato chips on my balcony with friends. It’s ‘almost” like Italy.
Jenny: It’s so cliche, but I am such a sucker for a pool—I don’t tend to go swimming in the middle of the day when the sun is blasting. I prefer doing lazy laps in the morning when no one else is there, or in the evening when the light on the water is so pretty, and a swim feels like a reward for good day’s work. My mom used to do that and I think I got it from her.
What has been your most memorable HudCo experience?
Jennifer: Joining HudCo got me out of my home office and allowed me to reconnect with some old friends that I hadn’t seen in several years.
Robin: I met Elizabeth Knell, my Go Love NY co-founder, at HudCo. Within our first few conversations, we had decided to partner together and came up with Go Love NY. It was literally from one minute to the next we said “let’s just do it.” And we did. If it hadn’t been for HudCo, Go Love NY would not have been born.
Jenny: I will never forget when you guys were throwing a party in the old space for, like, half the Rivertowns (above), and like 15 minutes before it began furniture was still being moved in, artwork was being wired and nailed to walls, and to me, there was just a general sense of chaos, but you were so calm and in control and laughing. I realized that your M.O. was just FUN first and I wanted to be part of it.
What are your favorite pop-ups and events that we’ve hosted at HudCo?
Jenny: This is hard! I love all the food pop-ups—First Village Coffee (above) and Peaceful Provisions and the Good Witch (before it became its own thing). I love the Chuck Routhier bags which I bought for my daughters but ended up stealing for myself. I loved Sharon’s Pilates class and Becca’s Barre3 class. Sara of Picture Book is such a great curator. I never get tired of circling that table to see what’s new and exciting. Like everything else at HudCo, it’s inspiring and it’s motivating.
Doug: Anything food-related! Two Birds Provisions and First Village Coffee come to mind.
Robin: Women’s networking nights and new members meet-ups. I always end up making a new friend and/or a business connection.
What are you watching, reading, or listening to this summer?
Jenny:Absolutely LOVED The Plot, by Jean Hanff Korelitz. Just pure suspense and fun, with plots on top of plots and twists within twists. My whole family (husband, two daughters 17 and 19) has been fighting over Empire of Pain, the Patrick Raddon Keefe expose on the Sackler dynasty and the role they played in the opioid crisis. I’m currently reading Klara and the Sun, and, as with most Ishiguro books, I don’t really know what’s going on yet, but I sense it’s going to be creepy and futuristic and fantastical. For podcasts: I’m so boring. It’s a rotation of The Daily (for news) Splendid Table (for food) and Smartless (for laughs).
Robin: I am currently obsessed with the audio version of Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe. I can’t stop telling everyone to listen to it!
Doug: Home Baked: My Mom, Marijuana, and the Stoning of San Francisco by Alia Volz. Inspiration as we grow our edibles brand through the rapidly changing legal landscape of New York and the rest of the country.
Jennifer: Schitt’s Creek, Q: Into the Storm, and the podcast Escaping NXIVM
We’re all about finding that perfect blend of work, life, and well-being. How do you get moving and take care your self?
Doug: Hiking in Harriman State Park and the Hudson Highlands, kayaking in the Hudson. Also very important to iron out the post-exercise kinks with HudCo PT Kerri Demitrovic.
Robin: I have a standing date with my running friends every morning in Irvington on the Aqueduct. It used to be 3-4 times a week, but since the pandemic, it’s been every day. I either walk or run every morning at 6:15. Meeting my friends keeps me going.
Jennifer: Walking… I love to walk along the Hudson and on the Aqueduct with my husband.
Jenny: For my whole life I’ve been a runner, and that has looked different at different times in my life. Used to look like half-marathons, and now it is looking like 10-and-a-half minute miles. I started strength training a few years ago after a running injury and was amazed to discover I had a core, but I have to say I kind of dread those sessions even though I keep it up—because I know I will feel good if I can get through it. I do feel like any day now I might just give up all of this and become a walker. I feel like it’s better for my mental health than the other two—more meditative —and I actually enjoy it. We’ll see.
Connect and follow with these wonderful humans
Robin Helman
• Hire her for graphic design: www.robinhelman.com
• Book a NY trip with Go Love NY
Jennifer Holiday
• Hire her firm for marketing and graphic design: 744creative.com
• Follow Rivertowns Guide on Insta
Jenny Rosenstrach
• Come to our book launch party for The Weekday Vegetarians!
• Subscribe to Jenny’s Substack newsletter
Doug Schneider
• Hire him for photography: www.dougschneiderphoto.com
• Buy some Via Viaggio gummies in the HudCo kitchen