Founder, Barb Salzman’s career started at ZONA in Aspen, Colorado as a Store Manager, Visual Merchandiser and Buyer. Zona was one of the countries first lifestyle/experience driven retail stores. Makes sense that she then found the perfect outlet for her creativity at Anthropologie as a Visual Manager and part of the store opening traveling team. Barb took what she learned at these ground breaking companies to become a sought after name in event and wedding design. She loved her days as a wedding designer and is so thankful to have been voted best floral designer for 4 years in a row, best of weddings hall of fame to top 10 most inspiring people by The Knot.
As all businesses do, Hatch evolved from their wedding and floral design days and became one of the early companies designing and producing experiential brand activations. After 15 years of brand development, strategizing and actualizing brand activations, Barb is really excited to go back to her retail roots with her own shop, Hatch General Store. Barb is working to spread peace and love through a curated and Hatch-made collection of inspired goods. Hatch General has only had an online presence til now. As of May 2024, you can also find Hatch Genral Store at Red Owl Antiques in Kingston, NY. This pop up will highlight many of the online favorites along with some of her vintage props that she is know to use in most of her styling.
Barb always has some sort of passion project in the works from home flipping, raising money for animal rescue with her organization Funny For Fido, to her ongoing project #peacelovechelsea where Barb and her husband Dave have been designing a public art installation of a 10’ peace sign on the front of a brownstone in Chelsea, NY and a second installation at Woodstock Way Hotel in Woodstock, NY.
Barb’s other current dream job is teaching. Since 2016, Barb has been an Adjunct Professor at The Fashion Institute of Technology teaching Product Presentation/Small Scale Window Design, Brand Activations, Portfolio, Intro to Business for Creatives and the Senior Capstone. If you know Barb personally, you know this is an opportunity of lifetime for her and truly a labor of love. For more information please follow @iamprofessorbarb
