OFFICE HOURS: Madeline Shields, Shop Sommer
Name: Madeline Shields
City of Residence: San Francisco, California
How do you spend your days? Doing all things at Sommer – my online (and soon, in person!) interiors & lifestyle shop that spotlights the work of contemporary artisans and independent brands from around the world. 
What does a typical work day look like for you? It’s a bit of a mixed bag – my time is usually split between curating Sommer’s collection, visiting or talking with designers and brands, photography, marketing, packaging orders, working with customers, and business operations. But recently, 99% of my time has been dedicated to designing and preparing Sommer’s new storefront – which will be open early this Fall!
Where is your office located? At Sommer’s future brick and mortar in Bernal Heights, a quiet little hillside neighborhood of San Francisco.
How do you keep track of your to-do list? I’m a big fan of the tasks feature in Google calendar and I also keep a notebook to organize my weekly to-do’s and for quick sketches.
Favorite app on your phone or favorite app / tool used for business? It might not be an app itself, but I love voice memos. You’re either in or you're out and I’m definitely in. 
Daily work uniform, head to toe? In general I go for comfort. It’s finally starting to get warmer in San Francisco – we get a late summer out here – so I’m currently embracing a lighter wardrobe while I can!
Must-have item in your work bag? I’m very codependent with my water bottle.
Most productive time of day for you? Early mornings, after I’ve dropped off my daughter Romy at daycare and can get settled in at my desk. 
Favorite part of having your own business? Most challenging part? Sommer has given me the ability to connect with so many incredible and inspiring artists and designers who I admire deeply. Perpetuating their work and supporting the integrity of true craft is what I love most. But I’ve also grown to love the Wild West element of owning a business and the endless possibilities to create and grow within it – which, at times, is ironically also the most challenging part! 
Favorite mid-afternoon pick me up during a day in the office? Fresh air.
Biggest challenge juggling motherhood & work? I think the biggest challenge is time, or lack of time. There are only so many hours in the workday and, at the end of it (or sometimes, all of it), there is a little person who needs you and your time. Simply put, motherhood shifts and rearranges all priorities – it’s about learning how to surrender when you can’t keep up with everything. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.
Name one thing that is always on your desk: One of Sommer’s beaded coasters by Pien Studios.
Top tip(s) for entrepreneurs: Good things take time.
What’s something you do outside of work just for yourself? Travel. But luckily for me, my husband and our daughter also love to travel – so they come too! I get so much inspiration and joy from visiting new places, it’s something I really treasure. This summer we went to Puglia in southern Italy before making our annual trip to Norway to visit my mom and extended family – I fell in love with Puglia and can’t wait to go back. I also make time during these trips to source new pieces for the collection and to connect with designers and artisans of that region. I’m very excited to share what I brought home from Italy soon!
Who are you sending your next card / [love] note to? Romy and I just sent a homemade card to her mormor (‘grandma’ in Norwegian) – but next I’ll be sending a beautiful birthday card by Jaymes Paper for my aunt’s 70th!
Thank you so much, Madeline! Follow her HERE & shop Sommer HERE.