When we last put the spotlight on 100 creative forces in Phoenix, it was no secret there were more than 100 individuals who were making waves in the local arts community. So as we count down to our annual Best of Phoenix issue, we're profiling 100 more. Welcome (back) to 100 Creatives.
Rachel Malloy is the owner and buyer for Bunky Boutique, a local shopping staple with a funky and timeless aesthetic that just celebrated its fifth year in business. Malloy grew up in Montana and before moving to Phoenix, she did social work in Key West, ice fished and logged forests in Michigan, and learned the boutique business in the seaside town of Cape May.
I came to Phoenix with ... no expectations. When I first moved here I felt a bit adrift and needed to find a community. Once I moved Downtown and found like-minded people and culture, I knew that it was a place that I could create and be inspired as an entrepreneur and artist.
I make art because ... it is what feels authentic and true. I strive to design a space that my customers will love to shop and spend time in. My customers motivate me to continue to create a special experience at Bunky Boutique. I listen to what they want and I am excited by their enthusiasm for being unique.
I'm most productive when ... I've just met with an artist or business colleague that I'm planning on collaborating with. Or when I've discovered a new designer that I want to bring into Bunky Boutique. I started writing the blog last year and I am the most inspired to write when I'm standing at my kitchen counter in the early morning with a notebook, laptop, and a cup of hot tea.
My inspiration wall is full of ... vivid colors and images that allow me to feel both energized and peaceful at the same time. The ocean specifically inspires me. The fluidity and constant motion reminds me to move forward in life and allows me to see the bigger picture.
I've learned the most from ... fellow business owners, and my husband. Some of my best friends are independent business owners in Phoenix and I am grateful to have them as sounding boards. Their ideas and concepts are powerful and I love being witness to such hard work and creativity. My husband, Jim, is constantly exposing me to new avenues of art and his never ending quest for art and beauty in life is impactful.
Good work should always ... come from a place of authenticity.
The Phoenix creative scene could use ... more shopping! Phoenicians are craving walkability and they want to be able to find multiple destinations once they park their car. The more, the merrier! It's better for everyone.
The Creatives, so far ... (And while you're here, check out 100 Tastemakers on Chow Bella.)
100:Lara Plecas 99. Isaac Caruso 98. Brandon Gore 97. Kelsey Dake 96. Hector Ruiz 95. Caroline Battle 94: Jennifer Campbell 93. Jeff Chabot 92. Tiffiney Yazzie 91. Daniel Germani 90. Irma Sanchez 89. Daniel m. Davis 88. Kirstin Van Cleef 87. Emmett Potter 86. Sarah Hurwitz 85. Christine Cassano 84. Fred Tieken 83. Lindsay Kinkade 82. Ruben Galicia 81. Robert Uribe 80. Heidi Abrahamson 79. Josephine Davis 78. Travis Ladue 77. Taz Loomans 76. Mikey Jackson 75. Alex Empty 74. Joe Ray 73. Carol Roque 72. Daniel Funkhouser 71. Carla Chavarria 70. Hugo Medina 69. Cavin Costello 68. Claire Carter 67. Lindsay Tingstrom 66. Catherine Ruane 65. Christopher Crosby 64. Aaron Johnson 63. Brenda Eden 62. Colton Brock 61. Ernesto Moncada 60. Benjamin Phillips 59. Brad Armstrong 58. Angela Hardison 57. Tyler Quinn 56. Andrew James Benson 55. Charles Anthony Darr 54: Tiffe Fermaint 53. Eric Cox 52. Victor Vasquez 51. John Randall Nelson 50. Lauren Lee 49. Kyle Jordre 48. Julie C. Kent 47. Sean Deckert 46. Niba DelCastillo 45. Joseph Benesh 44. Ashley Harder 43. Dan Vermillion 42. Daniel Shepherd 41. James B. Hunt 40. Lori Fenn 39. Seth Gideon Fainkujen 38. Wayne Rainey 37. Christian Filardo 36. Melissa Cody 35. Jason Rudolph Peña 34. Cindy Iverson 33. Ryan Gentry 32. Sebastien Millon 31. Andrea Beesley 30. Chris Pruitt 29. Robert Diehl
