Meet Marissa Dunyak | Leatherworker & Pharmacist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Marissa Dunyak and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marissa, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
My work life balance is constantly shifting and re-centering itself. When I lived by myself and had no husband or pets or house, it was easy. I was more lonely than I like to admit so spending huge chunks of time hyper-focused on creating was no issue. Now things are things are much different because I have more responsibilities to other people/creatures. I’ve had to develop a pretty detailed routine with scheduled reminders programmed in my phone and utilizing a goal-oriented day planner (shout out to the No Limits Planner!) to keep myself on track. Even as I sit her writing this, the clock changed to 10 am and the dogs came running into the office because they know its is time for their walk. But as my business grows and I involve myself in more markets and larger shop updates, there keeps being periods of overworking and consequently rebalancing. It takes a lot of work and organization to make it happen but I believe balance is achievable even as the conditions of work and life change.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As for my work, I make artisanal leather goods. The last few months I’ve focused on designing and hand sewing bags and other large accessories such as artist tool rolls and notebook/passport covers intended for people who like simple beautiful things that can hold up to all of life’s adventures. It sounds pretty good but most days I feel like I’m playing pretend, “Artist Business Owner” edition. I’m incredibly proud of everything I’ve created but looking at views and sales, the imposter syndrome takes over. I wonder who, beyond family and a few friends, will pay the prices required for handcrafted leather goods when there are plenty of other options out there? But then I metaphorically slap myself in the face and remind myself that everyone goes through these challenges and I’ve realistically only been putting myself out there for a year. Keep watch because there is still a lot more to come from Middleyak.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
This is my favorite question to answer! I love downtown Dayton so much. The city and its people have been through A LOT over the years and it manifests itself as a crusty exterior with a fierce sense of community. Small business owners are regularly collaborating and leaning on each other and there is an amazing resource called Launch Dayton to support regional startups in all fields from arts to hospitality to tech. Next we just need the city to get on board to create and maintain affordable retail space… but I digress. Food-wise we are extremely fortunate that Dayton is an affordable city to live because it has led some big city chefs to relocate home to open shop plus keeps local talent local. Some of my favorites are Jollity, Sueño, Tony & Pete’s, Partial to Pie, Grist, Koji Burger, Kung Fu BBQ, Bootleg Bagels, Little Fish, Eat the Rich cupcakes, and Southpark Tavern for the best pineapple pizza you will ever find. Similarly the beverage industry is full of rockstars. Barrel House for the most welcoming bartenders and best tap list. Branch and Bone is the best brewery (thats saying a lot in Ohio). Billie Gold has your bubble tea needs. Silver Slipper and Tender Mercy will have you feeling so classy that you probably teleported to New York City. Pettibone Coffee will ruin you for all other coffee and baked goods.Then there are the shops. Records galore at Skeleton Dust, Omega, and Blind Rage. Thoughtfully curated and sustainable home goods at Pink Moon Goods. Second Street Market and other local farmers markets for more hot food, farmer hauls, and handmade goods.
As if all of that isn’t enough, here are some of my favorite ways to string them all together:
1) Grab a mixed 6 pack of cans from Barrel House (they’ll chill it for you), then a sandwich and pimento cheese from Tony and Pete’s before making your way to a free concert at Levitt Pavillion Thursday-Saturday evening all summer long.
2) Stop by Second Street Market on Saturday or Sunday then cross the street to get lunch at Little Fish Brewing Company. When you’re ready to leave, ask for a beer in a DORA cup (the majority of downtown is designated an outdoor recreation area so you can legally drink on the streets) and make your way to the river to watch the kayakers and surfers on the rapids.
3) Stop by Second Street Market Friday-Sunday and pick up lunch to go. Make your way back to Barrel House and ask for a beer pairing recommendation from the tap list to go with said lunch.
4) Pop over The Contemporary Dayton art gallery at the Dayton Arcade then slide into Gather By Ghostlight for coffee and lunch or cocktails and Jazz on Thursday evenings.
5) Join Silent Disco or check out a local music act at Yellow Cab Tavern
6) Grab coffee and breakfast to go from Pettibone Coffee then eat it as a picnic at Eastwood Metro Park
7) Buy a new wardrobe and redecorate your house from the Shops of Oakwood — Maraluna, Indie West, Shop Smitten– and check out the Oakwood Farmer’s market on Saturday mornings during summer and fall (Foxhole Farmer is my favorite farm)
8) Did I mention Blind Rage Records and Billie Gold Bubble Tea are next to each other? Plus there are some prime dive bars like Belmont Billiards in that neighborhood
9) Spend the day at the Dayton Art Institute. They get some pretty incredible special exhibits and host all sorts of cool events
10) Don’t forget to buy a fancy new hat from Brim and excellent vintage finds from Clash in the Oregon District. Wardrobe change and head underground to Tender Mercy for a cocktail and sushi

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Right now it is definitely my husband, Patrick. He is so supportive of me and my business but is also there to bring me back to our reality. I can get extremely hyper-focused when I’m in the studio–forgetting to eat, do chores, or go to bed at my usual 9:30 bedtime–and Pat is always there to bring me sandwiches or sit me down and tell me its time to get my work life balance back in check. Without him, there is no way my business would have grown as much as it has over the last few years.

Website: www.middleyakleatherco.com

Instagram: @middleyakleatherco