Getting to know Kristen from Golden Days Studio

What inspired you to create Golden Days Studio, and how did your journey — especially your time in Morocco — influence the feel and concept of the space?

Golden Days started as a love story! I met my now-husband, Hamza, on facetime through a mutual friend and then a few months later, got to meet him in person in Morocco. We spent 2 weeks together and I left with a ring on my finger 😉 We were apart for 5 months while I came back to the states, preparing to move to Morocco, and he would always say that our days together would be “the gold days” – days full of love, joy, and peace from just simply being together.

When we were finally living together in Morocco – in a slow-paced, small surftown on the Atlantic Coast – we created the Golden Days brand as a reflection of our love and lifestyle: daily swims, surfing, yoga on the rooftop, watching sunsets, sharing tea and meals with friends, laughing together… simple things.

Morocco is not just aesthetically beautiful but culturally, too. Known for its warmth, hospitality, craftsmanship, and simple way of life- it really has a way of showing you how little you need to feel deeply fulfilled. We wanted the studio to reflect all of this – in the color palette, decor, our offerings, and just how people feel when they’re in the space. It’s meant to feel like a little Mediterranean oasis in the heart of Buffalo.

Golden Days Studio brings together several different experiences under one roof. Can you walk us through the offerings and how they all fit together?

The studio’s offerings are a blend of artistry, wellness, and community. We are home to a collective of mindful, fineline tattoo and beauty artists, we offer weekly movement classes – primarily yoga and pilates – and have a wellness-focused elixir bar with herbal teas, matcha, coffees, and some rotating seasonal drinks.

We also host events to bring people together and allow others to rent our space to host their own classes, workshops, and events. On the surface it might look like a lot of different things but it really all just comes down to creating a space that nurtures a sense of warmth, well-being, and community. You can come in for a tattoo, a cup of tea, a class, or just to lounge on the floorbeds – and none of it feels separate. It’s all designed to coexist naturally.

How do you define the mission of Golden Days Studio in your own words? What do you hope people feel or take away after visiting?

Our mission is simple: to offer a space that feels warm, inviting, and can bring people together. We hope people leave feeling more at ease, uplifted, inspired, and connected after visiting!

Can you share a moment or experience that reflects how Golden Days Studio has connected with the Buffalo community?

Honestly, any time we get to bring people together in our space is so special, but most notably, we host a regular charity event called “Flow and Flash.” For each event, we choose a local charity or organization to support. We start with a donation-based pilates x yoga flow (100% proceeds donated), followed by flash tattoos where each artist donates 50% of their sales. It’s been a really special way to bring people together through movement and artistry for something greater and to give back to the Buffalo community.

Tell us about the elixir/tea bar — was that something you always envisioned? Any fan-favorite drinks or rituals you recommend for first-time visitors?

I’ve been into herbal/medicinal teas and elixirs for years so yeah it was definitely always part of the vision! Our top 3 recommendations for first-time visitors would be:

What are you most excited about for the future of Golden Days?

Finding more ease and flow as we continue to grow! The first year was incredibly challenging – this was my first brick-and-mortar business and there was so much trial and error. At the same time, Hamza and I were apart for most of the year while navigating the immigration process to get him to the states, and I unexpectedly lost my mom 4 days before the studio’s intended soft opening.

It was a heavy first year, but things are finally starting to feel lighter now that Hamza is finally here. We’ll be welcoming our baby boy into the world any day now (thank you, Coit House :)), and we’re starting to plan retreats to Morocco – all which feels exciting and full-circle.

Where can readers find you or learn more about your work?