Photo credit: Christina Lilly, Rob Cusick
Patriae founder, Barbara ‘Babs’ Pisch turned a side hustle making tote bags from antique textiles, and a passion for preserving the past, into one of Asbury’s most unique and beloved retail boutiques. We sat down with Barbara to learn more about her love of textiles, her journey as an entrepreneur, and the two things she can’t live without.
Q: You emigrated from Slovakia to the US with your family at the age of seven. How did that experience shape your approach as a small business owner?
I came from a family of tailors and fiber-craft experts. Although my parents were highly-skilled craftspeople, when we arrived in the US with nothing they had to figure out creative ways to succeed in a new land. They were very industrious, and a sense of hard work was instilled in me even before we left the old country. This upbringing made me into a very pragmatic human, which is a very useful skill for an entrepreneur.
Q: You started your career in New York City working in various design industries and galleries, and acquiring a graduate degree in the history of decorative arts. What made you decide to open Patriae in 2016 and what has been the best and worst part about being a small business owner?
I started sewing tote bags for myself in my mid-20s. One friend wanted one, then another and another, and soon it became a side gig. I’ve always had a desire to work for myself, to take control of my own time. I had always despised being told when I could travel or be sick, and it was time to take ownership of that back. I originally moved back to New Jersey to look for an industrial space to run my antique-textile business out of, but soon felt ready to grow it to the next level. I never expected it to grow into what it is today! Even though some days the job seems never-ending because technology has made me accessible to everyone at any hour in this day in age, I love what Patriae has evolved into and the fact that it allows me to be my own boss and in control of my time.
Q: You’re known for your hand-crafted hemp and linen totes and pouches created from antique textiles you’ve collected throughout Eastern Europe. What attracted you to these types of fabrics?
I first came across these antique textiles when I would travel back to Slovakia as a teenager. They became a symbol of my own history, which was a very meaningful concept to me long before I could understand it. I always appreciated their natural quality, texture and smell…all of which reminded me of my native land, which is actually what ‘Patriae’ translates to.
Q: How would you describe your design sensibility and what do you look for when it comes to choosing what brands and products to carry at Patriae?
If I had to describe my design sensibility in 3 words, they would be: refined, skillfully-crafted, and patina. When I choose products for the store, I look for unique, one-of-a-kind pieces made by hand from natural textiles or ingredients, and which I personally love and would want in my home.
Q: How does sustainability fit into your vision for Patriae as well as your everyday life?
I tend to live quite simply and try to create very little waste. Despite my love of objects, I’m not very attached to things or products. I don’t use mass-produced, chemical-filled products or food, and am lucky to be able to source good-quality food locally. I don’t have rituals or regimens. But I do need good filtered water and my supplements! I think my selection in the shop mirrors this way of consuming and living.
Q: You are a self-proclaimed 'Deadhead'. Jerry Garcia once described the Dead’s music as “licorice”—meaning you either love it or simply don’t have a taste for it. What is it about the Grateful Dead that drew you to their music?
It was simply the music itself, which I discovered when I was about 12. I have always appreciated skilled craftsmanship, in music or objects, and the members of The Grateful Dead all happen to be excellent musicians. I consider their lyricist, Robert Hunter, one of the greatest American poets of his time. His beautiful lyrics spoke to me immediately (and still do).
Q: Last question. We have to know, what’s your favorite thing about Oshin Oil?
I love the clean, organic ingredients in Oshin Oil, especially the moringa oil which I am familiar with from my time in Central America. I’ve used moringa, and still do, in a variety of ways including eating the leaves and flowers.
Visit Patriae at 400 Main Street, Asbury Park, NJ 07712 or follow them on Instagram at @patriaestudio
