Claire Olshan, best known for her Upper East Side luxury boutique, Fivestory, is looking to glamorize the snack game with her newest venture, Dada Daily. Claire is both artful and innovative in her personal style, and this translates well with her new brand of healthy, delicious snacks. You can find anything from matcha truffles to crispy brussel sprouts, all great for snacking on-the-go, fitting the demand of our recent rise of mompreneurs. Claire’s attention to detail is apparent in her exquisite packaging, that can double as coffee table trays, making Dada snacks the ultimate dinner party gifts. HEADS UP, I have a feeling we will be seeing many more of these snacks once everybody gets a taste.
How many years have you been in business in NYC?
Since mid-September, 2018 for DADA Daily and 8 years for Fivestory!
How did you get your start and what was your initial inspiration?
Since I was a little girl, I have loved and been fascinated by health food and aesthetics. I always wondered why the health food world never jumped on the bandwagon, making things chic like the beauty and wellness industry. With DADA, we are all about bringing snack food to the dinner party, as a gift or served as hors d’oeuvres. We are also about stripping down the rules of the health food industry and getting rid of that pesky word NO that finds its way onto every package, podcast and conversation… For us, being healthy is about what you CAN have, the joy of food and the fun of eating and not the NO philosophy.
What do you feel differentiates you from others in your field?
We care both about your insides AND outsides. We are chic functional snacks that break the rules and #elevateyoursnacking moment.
What do you feel gives you longevity in this big city with so many options?
Someone once told me, if you create a business, it should be like a toothbrush; used universally twice a day.
Everyone needs to eat! hopefully more than twice a day and in this city, usually on the go. So DADA is perfect to put in your bag but also perfect to bring as a gift!
How do you positively impact your clientele?
I think we bring joy, beauty and deliciousness into people's lives. Our snacks are of the highest quality ingredients and are extraordinarily healthy for you. We basically do all the work so you can just sit back and enjoy.
What is your favorite part of your job?
Nourishing people in multiple ways.
What is your favorite secret NYC spot?
It’s not a secret, but I don’t think people have re-discovered Bleecker St in the West Village in a while! It’s packed with a whole new crew of young amazing entrepreneurs: Hill House Home, Bonberi, Margaux and lots more are moving in!
How do you benefit moms?
We are safe, clean food that's dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan and delicious. If you’re racking your brain on how to get brussels sprouts and cabbage into your kids mouth, look no further!
Pay it forward and name your top colleagues in the same field or related field.
Rachel Drori at Daily Harvest (super woman!)
Amanda Chantal Bacon at Moon Juice
What is the best advice anyone's ever given you? Or what is your "mantra" / words to live by?
99% done is 100% not done.
As moms, the day can escape us, what is your best time-saving trick?
Don’t look at instagram! It gets you nowhere and will suck all of your free time!