An Inspired Chat with Amy Chernikova of Sonoma

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Amy Chernikova . Check out our conversation below.

Amy , we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I try to stay away from my phone or any kind of technological pollution and make some French press coffee to start. While that is brewing, I go outside to my patio and water my plants. I find it soothing and good for my mental health to get some natural sunlight on me and always enjoy some coffee in the morning.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I was born and raised semi off the grid on a Native American reservation in North Western Montana up against the mountains in a 100 year old cabin that my father restored. We had 5 acres up against 100’s of uninhibited tribal land so i was very free and very grounded into the earth. We always had horses and I started riding lessons at age 4 and finally got my first horse at age 6. She was a spicy mare and would buck me off often which, I feel, made me better and fearless rider in the long run. I now work as a wardrobe stylist and costumer for film and television,

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
I believe the earliest memory for me was when I was very young alone with myself and the forest about. I would always explore as far as I could in the woods I grew up in and would often find myself lost at a very young age. It made me feel powerful because although I was so young, I was always able to find my way home. I of course had my 4 or 5 dogs with me all the time or was riding my horse. But the independence at such a young age made me feel powerful and like I could really do anything.

When you were sad or scared as a child, what helped?
The forest would always help me as a child, and the animals that would always surround me. I think trees are extremely healing as well as the unspoken language between animals and me. My dogs, cats, and horses were always around me and if I were ever sad or scared they would always come next to me and energetically communicate with me that I was safe and ok, I always appreciate nature and animals and feel the most connected to them.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
I’ve always kept it very real from the beginning. I think once I broke into the industry and started conversing with crew and the executives, I think they saw that I’m a very real down to earth person and I think it’s rare to come across these days especially in this industry, I never tried to impress or suck up to anyone. I’m all about energy and if I feel someone’s energy is good then I’m happy to open up and share my thoughts and experiences if they’re open. I love collaborating with people who are open for creative ideas and good hearted. Fake people repel me. I don’t believe in facades or trying to impress anyone by someone you’re not. Being real and genuine is the most attractive and admirable I think someone could do and I appreciate those who keep it real and authentic 100 percent of the time no matter what anyone thinks,

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If immortality were real, what would you build?
I would build institutes for creative children to join instead of the normal structured schooling where they could invest all of their learning into something they wanted to learn about and create. I would give them a space to build the future that they idealized and I would build into this institute a place for animals to take refuge and build symbiotic relationships within this structure where the children would learn how to take care of animals and the planet as part of their learning curriculum.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyannchernikova