This interview with Sarah Dibben, was conducted at Sarah’s coffee shop Supernatural in Hudson, NY. Sarah discussed observations as a small business owner and the contrast in the goals for different people that open businesses – ones that rely on the business income because it helps fund their lives versus businesses that open as a side project where the revenue has less impact on their livelihoods. There have been changes in Hudson as reflected in the contrasting levels of financial resources and gratitude for the resources that were free for young families that still exist today. She discussed how this also relates to the schools where she reflected on gaining insight about her own experiences as she raises her kids about struggles encountered as a kid herself. She's a board member of the Hudson Sloop Club and she has been drawn to the river because of her early connections and memories of sailing with her family. She sees the importance of equitable access to the river front for all people in the community so that they can engage with the water by fishing and sailing, not just a place to go to if they are unable to afford a boat of their own. The Hudson Sloop Club created Nack Mobile Estuary which has been a vessel to help educate people about the ecosystem of the river. The hope being that by educating youth and community members about the natural wonders that live in the water that would inspire deeper engagement for preserving natural resources. Sarah spends time not only as a business owner but as a mother, caretaker for her kids and husband with cancer, and volunteer involvement with the Sloop Club but also Hawthorn Valley. She is also intentional about taking space for herself and takes ceramics classes at Columbia Greene Community College. She reflects on her experience through the COVID pandemic and how her husband’s diagnosis came right before the global shutdown which allowed her the personal space to process. Logistically in terms of navigating the financial hardships, she is grateful to her landlord who was willing to work with them on rent payments during this period and felt supported by and benefited from the government resources and loans. She mentions how they had to make changes in the layout of the shop and seating but overall for as large as the pandemics effects were, they were able to find support in the ways that kept the business running.
Note- At about the 20 min mark, there is an interruption because the recorder got knocked over.
