Today we’d like to introduce you to India Pierce.
Hi India, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My background is a bit nuanced and I think that’s what makes me so passionate about the work I do. I am an educator, advocate, and racial justice and equity consultant. I came to San Diego five years ago to begin a PhD program at UCSD. My research focuses on gender, sexuality, power, religion, and freedom.
In addition to my research I do equity work at a local community college and am also the co-founder of Moxie Consultancy Collective, one of the few queer women of color consultancy groups that works globally to support organizations in the creation of socially responsible, anti-racist, and equity-driven workplaces. To say that my plate is full is an understatement; between my research, teaching, consulting, family, and other passion projects, I’ve often found myself stressed and overworked, which is not the type of life I want. It seems to always be that way; there are more things on our to-do list then there is time to complete them. Well, after an unexpected miscarriage, navigating some other life shifts, and the uncertainty that covid brings, I decided that if my plate is going to be full, it needs to be full of things that bring me closer to joy. A lot of the work I do in other areas of my life deals with really heavy topics, which can be draining. Omi has given me a much-needed creative outlet.
Omi Picnics is my way of inviting slowness, joy, and connection into my life. I believe we could all use the opportunity to slow down and spend more time with the people we love. Omi Picnics helps people to do this in style by taking the traditional picnic & elevating it into a luxurious intimate experience. Why? Because I believe life should be spent making moments that take our breath away. My motto is simple, “more joy and less stress.”
The idea for Omi Picnics was sparked last year when I had to change my anniversary plans due to covid. I was suddenly stuck trying to figure out a special way to celebrate my first anniversary and the idea of a picnic came to mind. I’ve always loved picnics and gathering with people over food. When I was in college, during special moments, since I couldn’t afford fancy dinners, I would plan the nicest picnics to treat myself. So it seemed perfect that we would celebrate our anniversary in this way. I set out to make the picnic extra special and it turned out wonderfully. It dawned on me that other people might enjoy a luxurious picnic too. One of my greatest gifts is being a dreamer, who would have known the dream that was sparked that moment would grow into being Omi Picnics.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
So much intention and thoughtfulness went into the creation of Omi that when I finally launched, things ran much smoother than I expected. While there haven’t been many challenges, there has been lots of learning that I’ve done along the way because this is so different from my other work. Running Omi has taught me so much about the need for joy and balance in our lives.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Omi Picnics?
Omi Picnics is a luxury picnic event company that takes the classic picnic that we all know and love and kicks it up a notch. At Omi Picnics, we believe time is precious and the greatest joy in life is to spend time with the people we love. That’s why our mission is to provide people with a no-stress elevated picnic experience to celebrate life’s special moments. Our team takes care of all of the details, so all our clients have to do is show up.
Omi has many meanings, however, my company takes its inspiration from the Hindi meaning, sound of the universe. I have been drawn to this concept for some time now. For most people, if they were to close their eyes and focus, I believe they could recall the sounds that they hold near and dear to their heart. The first time they heard the heartbeat of their child, the quirky laughter of their best friend, the moment they heard their sweetheart say ‘I do,’ etc. Perhaps I’m a bit sentimental but those are the types of sounds that fill my universe and my heart. They are also the sounds that inspire Omi Picnics. My goal is to create spaces that serve as the backdrop for the collection of many cherished sounds.
What sets you apart from others?
One of the things that makes Omi special is that this company is Black, woman, and queer-owned. While my perspective shapes my business in a number of ways, one thing that I am most proud of is my commitment to “lift as I climb.” I am intentional about the vendors I use, making sure that I use my platform to provide opportunities for other women, people of color, and queer business owners.
I take my commitment to joy and less stress seriously; it is embedded in every aspect of my company. I call my clients my ‘picnic friends,’ and from the very beginning of their interaction with me, I want it to be clear that I am here to help facilitate their joy. My process is simple and straightforward, I don’t want to waste people’s time nor add extra stress to their lives.
What I want readers to know… at Omi, we believe that every occasion is a picnic occasion! We offer two signature packages and the option for our picnic friends to work with us to create a custom experience for their special occasion. Our picnics can take place in public beaches and parks through San Diego and the surrounding counties, as well as private residences and venues. We’ve worked with people celebrating: birthdays, holidays, proposals, weddings, baby showers, and more.
Signature Packages: The Posh Picnic – Elegant and sophisticated, our posh picnic is the ultimate experience in luxury. Featuring handcrafted wood tables and beautiful tablescapes.
The Bliss Picnic – Effortlessly chic, our bliss picnic is laid-back perfection. From the natural elements to the soft textiles, the bliss picnic is ideal for a casual gathering.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Most people are surprised to learn about the other work I do outside of Omi Picnics. Especially because it is so very different from luxury picnics. I want to spend my life doing the things that make my heart smile, and I, like most people, have many different passions and interests. I have never felt the need to choose just one. The work I do as an equity and racial justice consultant and educator is very important to me. It is the small part I play in leaving the world a little better than I found it. I truly believe that work is just as impactful as the beautiful moments I get to curate for people that will last a lifetime. When we face the end of our days, what will stick with us are the memories we have with the people we love, the laughter… the joy. I am so grateful that I get to create the backdrop where those memories are made.
Contact Info:
- Email: omipicnics@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.omipicnics.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omipicnics/
Image Credits
Mat Schramm India Pierce Jenni Summers
