Meet Rosalie Gale, the co-owner of Monster in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle, WA. The store supports independent artists who craft visual art, clothing, accessories, gifts, greeting cards, and socks — lots of socks. Monster also participates in Ballard Night Out and Ballard Art Walk each month.
Want to check out more awesome locally-made art? Head to Monster’s sister shop, Ugly Baby at the Pike Place Market.
Get to know more about Rosalie and Monster in this week’s Business Spotlight Q&A.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
What’s your favorite part about the community your business is in & why?
We feature the work of over 100 independent artists and I love being able to support makers and designers who have a broad range of experience. Sometimes we’re the first shop an artist has ever sold with — and sometimes they’re already pros. Sometimes we get to watch them take their first baby steps until they’re suddenly on Oprah’s list of favorite things. It’s inspiring to see all of the creative and hilarious things that people come up with.
Why is it important to you and your business that people #SpendLikeItMatters?
I feel like you should spend your money at places whose practices you want to support. There’s a reason I don’t shop at Hobby Lobby or Chick-fil-A. There’s a reason that 90% of my clothes come from small batch makers — sometimes just a single person doing all the things. If we all spend all our money at Amazon, we’ll all look the same and own all the same stuff. I crave uniqueness so that’s also what I offer in my shop.
As a business owner, what’s the strangest or craziest idea you’ve ever tried?
We host a monthly Murderino Craft Night where true crime lovers come and make crafts together. That’s kind of strange.
What’s something your customers may not know about you or your business?
Over the past year, we started teaching art & craft classes regularly in our backroom classroom. We now have a regular roster of 3-5 classes each week including rug tufting – which has been a particular favorite.
What are some of your favorite local businesses and why?
Biscuit Bitch – we lived in an apartment above their first building and watched them grow from a 1/2 time-shared space to a huge biscuit empire.
The Handmade Marketplace – we share a passion for independent artists!
Magpie Mouse – her shop just opened in the Pike Place Market (the home of our other shop – Ugly Baby) & she sells amazing enamel jewelry
Foamy Wader – Alexa is the hardest working person I know and she’s created a gem in a jewelry shop on Whidbey Island.
Anything else you’d like us to know about you and your business?
We rent button makers of all shapes and sizes!