MONIKA JOSHI grew up splitting her time between Mumbai, India, and New York, before eventually settling in her husband Dhaval’s hometown of Chicago with their daughters, Jiya (14) and Reyna (10). The Hinsdale entrepreneur, who started her long career in investment banking in New York, recently opened her new brick and mortar store located at 958 W. Armitage Avenue in Chicago, for her eponymous natural and clean skin care brand—Art of Pure (artofpure.com). With the expansion of the brand from e-commerce to storefront, Joshi’s luxurious line added modern wellness, eco-friendly home goods, clean makeup, a soap refill station, and lifestyle products. “I’m working towards growing the brand into a multi-store, curated destination for natural and eco-friendly beauty and home products,” says Joshi. When she isn’t building her brand, Joshi loves to travel and volunteer with Hinsdale Junior Woman’s Club. “I love to explore different countries and cultures—the food, languages, sights, shopping, all of it! You start appreciating the differences in the people you meet along the way and appreciating their way of life and things that they value,” she says. Here are some of her favorites in the country and on the town:

Mantra? You attract the kind of energy that you put out into the world. Best grooming tip? Arm yourself with a smile every morning. Guilty pleasure? I have a big sweet tooth, so anything sweet, especially ice cream and macarons! Favorite foods? Mexican and Indian food. Music you love? Indie/alternative, country, and sometimes pop. Best advice ever given to you? What goes around comes around. Best advice you’ve given? The universe has a strange way of providing you exactly what you need and want at the perfect time. Trust the process. Earliest memory? Petting and feeding horses at a stable by my elementary school in suburban New York. Every morning, my sister and I would stop by to check in on the horses before school. When you wake up, you? Stretch and meditate. Before bed, you? Watch some tv and cuddle with my husband. What’s on your bookshelf? I don’t read as much as I used to, but I have a couple of business books on my bookshelf that I get to when I can. You can’t live without? My family. Love to escape to? Turks & Caicos. Advice you would give to your younger self? Embrace being different, looking different, and aspiring for different—that will, one day, be your superpower.

WHEN IN THE COUNTRY

Your style is? Athleisure and dresses with slip on sneakers or UGGs. Can’t leave the house without? My phone and sunglasses. Transportation? My SUV. Driving music? Anything and everything. Place to eat? Fuller’s House and Egg Harbor Café in Hinsdale. Shop? All the local boutiques in Hinsdale. Best thing about country? The friendships and the close-knit community. Worst thing about country? Nothing really; I love everything! The perfect day is? Sleeping in, a good workout ,and a long, relaxed brunch, followed by shopping ,and then a fun dinner with friends or family at our house.

WHEN IN TOWN

Your style is? Classic and timeless, I don’t do trends, but love dresses and a good pair of shoes. Can’t leave the house without? Phone and walking shoes. Transportation? Train or the family car. Driving music? Indie/alternative, country, or podcasts. Place to eat? Armitage Alehouse or Ema. Shop? The cool shops along Armitage Avenue. Best thing about town? The diversity and countless dining and shopping options. Worst thing about town? Traffic. The perfect day is? Spending time with family exploring the city’s numerous festivals, dining, and entertainment options.