Unstuck Woman: Becca Mantei
We have teamed up with Unstuck Woman to highlight a few inspiring women in our local community who have chosen a path less traveled, are pursuing their dreams and bringing many of us along for the ride.
We will be hosting an event at our HQ on Thursday, November 7th (from 6:30 pm - 9 pm) where we will host a panel of some incredible women, which will be moderated by photographer & Unstuck Woman creator Michael Beck.
Address: 1630 Superior Ave. Unit C, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Becca Mantei is the co-founder of the surf-inspired retail and coffee concept Daydream Surf Shop. complete with a drool worthy rack of new surfboards and a board club program for sampling a wide variety of shred sleds. The shop has become a staple in the up-and-coming community in Westside Costa Mesa, CA. We are excited to bring you this interview with her. Enjoy!
What is Daydream Surf shop?
Daydream is a space that my boyfriend Kyle and I opened in a warehouse in Costa Mesa. We are 1 part speciality coffee shop, 1 part surf shop and 1 part retail store, all together it is turned into this community center for people to get together.
Do people ever really change?
Of course! I'm sure there are elements of a person that stay the same. Personally, I feel like I am constantly in a state of change. Change is progress.
What do you want the world to know about you?
I'm allergic to cats, I hate ketchup and all condiments, I have a moped named Bruce, I change my favorite color every year on my birthday. This year's color is "Cream Puff"
When do you know if it is the right time to change things up and why?
I think when I am getting bored or life is feeling stagnant is when I notice it's time for a change. Those feelings of restlessness can usually be solved by just a change of scenery. Go for a camping trip, go to the beach. Step out of your routine. Whenever I take time to change something up I always come back to my routine feeling clear headed, grounded, and creative.
What experiences in life shaped you the most?
Opening Daydream has been the biggest experience that has dramatically shaped me into the person I am today. I've never learned so much so quickly than I have in the past 3 years. Opening a business is like a baptism by fire.
What are things that bring you joy in the world?
My pug Penelope, spending time in nature, expressing myself creativity.
How do you keep yourself psychologically healthy?
Haha same answers as the question above, my pug Penelope, spending time in nature, expressing myself creativity.
Mantra of the moment?
I don't really have a mantra but I took a couple metal soldering classes while I was living in San Francisco, and my teacher would always tell us "be cool." When you try to force something to happen, it usually gets messed up. But if you can remember to breathe and "be cool" about it, it will work out much better.
Favorite quote?
"I'd rather be a forest than a street" Simon & Garfunkel
What life skills are rarely taught but extremely useful?
Flexibility and learning to practice non-attachment. Being able to roll with whatever gets thrown at you is a super valuable skill. Speaking of rolling, it's also quite useful to know how to roll your own spliff.
What’s the worst thing you’ve eaten out of politeness?
Recently I ate a pickled egg, big mistake. That is an ungodly combination of textures and flavors. It's almost as bad as Rumple Minze Peppermint Schnapps.
What’s about to get much better?
Costa Mesa! Kyle and I are opening a wine bar! We are in the middle of dealing with the city for our permits and once that is over we will be able to open our doors! The bar will be right up the street from Daydream, it will be called Semi Tropic Wines. I am SO excited to create another space for our community.
What always cheers you up when you think about it?
West Marin, in Northern California, pugs, tiki bars.
Do you like things to be carefully planned or do you prefer to just go with the flow?
When I was a kid I was super planned and carefully thought out every tiny little insignificant detail of anything I did. But as I have gotten older, I have really let go of that unattainable perfection. I try to remember that everything will work out and if I can think super big picture, it makes whatever I'm working on in the moment so much easier to let go and feel unattached from the outcome.
What is the worst advice you see or hear being dispensed in your world?
I think the worst advice I've ever heard in the whole world is Vote for Trump, I'd rather eat 1,000,000 pickled eggs.
How has a failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success?
I think failure or what you may think is failure, is really just setting you up to be creative. When something falls apart, it give you a change to go back to the drawing board and think of a creative solution. When opening Daydream and now with our new project Semi Tropic Wines, we have been told "no" or "that's not going to work" or "you can't do that" a million times. Especially in businesses where you have to deal with city officials and all different kinds of agencies, you get told "No" a lot and every time we get an idea thrown back in our faces we find a way to regroup, make a plan, and come up with a creative solution until those "no's" turn into a yes.
