South Lake Tahoe has officially welcomed bff Tahoe, a vibrant new shop and gathering space founded by entrepreneur and community builder Miriam Dorsett. Since opening, the space has quickly become a go-to destination for creativity, connection, and wellness.
Located in the heart of the city, bff Tahoe features a curated selection of local and international art, handmade goods, books, housewares, and wellness products—including its own line powered by Blue Forest Farms. The store also promotes sustainable fashion through regular clothing swaps and hosts engaging events like non-alcoholic tastings, workshops, author readings, and community craft sessions.
“Opening bff Tahoe has been a dream realized,” said Dorsett. “This space is about celebrating creativity, promoting wellness, and fostering human connection.”
Highlights include:
-
Art, gifts, and handmade goods
-
Sustainable clothing swaps
-
Wellness products by Blue Forest Farms
-
Books and lifestyle items for mindful living
-
Community events for all ages
- Advertisement -
Miriam Dorsett, also the founder of Bootstrap Publications, is known for her work in creative entrepreneurship and community engagement. Her vision for bff Tahoe reflects her passion for nature, wellness, and collaborative spaces that inspire growth and connection.
Caribbean National Weekly caught up with Miriam to learn more about her BFF and Caribbean culture.
CNW: First, tell us about bff Tahoe. What inspired you to create this space?
In Miami, I opened The Zen Zone. It was space for the community to gather, grow, and share their gifts. We hosted events, featured a gallery wall for artists, and during the pandemic, we had to shut down. bff Tahoe is the next iteration of that concept. In terms of what inspired it, I can only give credit to God and my passion for art, as well as my desire to bring people together to accomplish their goals.
CNW: How does your Caribbean heritage influence your approach to business and creativity?
I love to have fun even at work, and with Caribbean people, fun is a way of life. Take my dad, for example. He is so chill. I like to incorporate that no-worries attitude in my business because it can be stressful at times, being a businesswoman.
Having a playful attitude is also essential when making business decisions. If I’m not having fun, whether it’s a project or a collaboration, it causes me to slow down and rethink whether I should be doing it.
I remember the first time I went to St. Thomas, and they were playing steel drum music right off the plane at the airport! At the heart of our events is community; the events we create are meant to be a vibe, just like the islands.
Lastly, when you’re having fun, it makes the work feel less like “work”. Burnout as an entrepreneur is real. Building takes time, and you have to sustain yourself. It’s a lot easier to do that when you are having a good time.
CNW: You describe bff Tahoe as “thrift with intention.” What does that mean, especially in today’s fast-fashion world?
Thrifting serves as the gateway to swapping. Thrift stores typically acquire their inventory from donations. Clothes and fabrics carry energy, which is exchanged at clothing swaps. One of our members, Christopher Jones, described it well. He noticed that “people’s eyes light up” when they find an item they love, and the person who brought it gets to witness that excitement. It has a lasting effect because it makes you want to go through your closet and get rid of things, leading you to realize how much you have.
We incorporate education on style and color into our events, and since we swap items one for one, we both encourage swappers to be selective. Fast fashion thrives on the success of trends. With old trends coming back around, items that are outdated become cool again, allowing you to easily try new trends and refresh your wardrobe without breaking the bank.
CNW: Your background includes art, somatic healing, and activism. How do those intersect in your work?
I am an artist. Everything I do is art. I love to create and build. My business is part of my creative expression. It is how I explore, communicate, and provide others a medium to do the same. At bff Tahoe, we strive to incorporate the five senses into our events. We want people to feel confident and comfortable while they’re there and good after they leave. Confidence supports one’s trust in oneself. I believe that when you start trusting yourself and developing a relationship with your internal voice, which some call the holy spirit, you come into your power. My first book, for example, was an invitation for children to engage with and reflect upon their journeys, but hey, we should do that as adults too!
Tuning into your body, which somatic healing supports, brings an unprecedented awareness that can help you shift your behavior and mindset in real time. This is a skill I use in my business constantly. By choosing to operate in a specific way and with particular people, I can combine my passion for social justice and community empowerment without compromising my values.
CNW: What challenges have you faced as a Caribbean woman in the small business space, and how have you overcome them?
All entrepreneurs face challenges. You have to adopt a growth mindset and have faith that God is working everything out in your favor. I love the story of Joseph in the Bible as an example of that. There have been many times when things did not go my way, and I would get angry and blame others or waste time wondering why things happened as they did, or more often, why not me? Why wasn’t I chosen? I had to work on that. It was a process I needed to undertake. I had to get to the root of my anger and find happiness despite the reality of systemic oppression. That was accomplished through prayer, community, various therapies, and working with different healers.
Earlier in my journey, I struggled with collaborating with men. I often felt that their intentions were not always business-related when it came to male colleagues, which frustrated me. Initially, I didn’t know how to handle it. I’ve learned that I have two choices in those situations. I can either walk away from potential deals—thankfully, those who have come before me have shown me that there will be other opportunities where those complications won’t arise—or I can confront them with clear, direct communication. These days, I find myself choosing that path more often.
What that looks like is first humbly accepting that I am beautiful to people, and that is ok. There is nothing wrong with that. Secondly, I have more to offer than just my looks. The third step is to, in real time, acknowledge the inappropriate behavior and give the person grace and the opportunity to correct themselves and decide whether or not they can do business with me while respecting my boundaries.
CNW: What do you hope people take away when they visit bff Tahoe?
My partner, Natasha Chavez, and I pray together often in the store. We pray that everyone who comes in leaves feeling better than when they came in. We are on a mission to raise the energy! Vibes up!
CNW: Finally, what does Caribbean Heritage Month mean to you?
Family. History, honoring my ancestors, and thinking of the future generations! It’s a celebration, a way for us to remember how we got to where we are as a people. It’s cool to think about how, as our communities merge, over a long period of time, our heritage will evolve. Caribbean Heritage Month and the accompanying activities are a way to slow down that evolution, ensuring that key aspects are not forgotten and overlooked. We get to experience the old in the present.
bff Tahoe is located at 2540 Lake Tahoe Blvd, Suite 2B, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150. To learn more or plan a visit, follow @bfftahoe on Instagram or visit bfftahoe.com.
