Shelley Armistead-Going Above and Beyond for What We Care About

In this first episode Tonje talks to Shelley Kleyn Armistead, Partner & Chief Operating Officer of The Gjelina Group about going above and beyond for what we care about and how the ultimate creative goal is to create an experience that reflects love, passion and purpose.    Born in South Africa, Shelley left Cape Town at the age of 23 - She made her way to California via London, where food sourcing, food politics, and the social justice aspect of her love of hospitality formed deep roots while working with Rose Gray and Ruth Rogers of The River Cafe.    Additionally, Shelley worked for Terrance Conran, and Soho House for 12 years. In 2008 she moved to LA to open Cecconis West Hollywood, and Soho House West Hollywood. All these experiences shaped Shelley's passion for space, product design, and the care of humans, as it all relates to hospitality.   “I believe my journey within this industry, and myself, is to find the interconnectivity of all components of it. In some cases that means dissecting your philosophy and seeing if it applies in all areas of your work: celebrating humans who do the work, and seeing hospitality in all acts not just the traditional.   Dissecting it has meant really looking at how this industry has contributed to the abuse of people, and what systems are in play within my own company.”