A Moment of Mindfulness Vol. 6
featuring our matcha master - Genevieve Olivia Dunning
This week’s Moment of Mindfulness features someone who truly embodies what BVOY is all about: Genevieve Olivia Dunning [Gigi]
Where do I even begin? Gigi is one of the most illuminating, open-hearted humans I’ve had the joy of crossing paths with. Her energy? Electric. Her curiosity? Contagious.
Also… she’s been drinking matcha since she was 10 years old. Which, of course, makes her even more legendary.
Over the past few weeks, Gigi has become a cornerstone of our matcha pop-ups: from taste-testing and troubleshooting to letting us take over her apartment when the rain tried to cancel our plans. She’s been the calm in the chaos, the spark behind the scenes, and the flavor mastermind behind your favorite drinks.
That perfect strawberry oat latte? Gigi handpicked the strawberries with the precision of a Michelin chef. The lemon-to-yuzu ratio in our lemonade matcha? That was her, too. She doesn’t just help us bring these drinks to life, she has been dreaming them up with intention and care.
What makes her embody the BVOY-ethos through and through is how she lives. One night, we got into a long, winding conversation about The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, and I knew in that moment: this is someone on the path. Someone doing the work. Someone becoming the best version of herself, not just in theory, but in practice.
When we started this pop-up experiment a month ago it was six friends sipping matcha in my apartment. Last week, we served nearly 50 cups on the street in East Williamsburg. And the feedback? Overwhelmingly positive. The love from this community keeps us going, and we’re just getting started.
We’re taking a short pause — two weeks to rest, reset, and gather inspiration.
But we’re back July 12, and after that… we’re popping up every weekend through summer. If you want to know where we’ll be next, make sure you’re subscribed to our Substack. That’s where the invites drop. Always first, always with love.
BVOY: How do you define being the best version of yourself?
GD: I feel like my best self when I'm truly in flow with the Universe, embracing trust, forgiveness, and love. It's when I quiet my ego and align with my soul - remaining present and always loving.
BVOY: What does a moment of mindfulness look like for you?
GD: I find my greatest sense of presence and connection in simple daily rituals. Whether it's cooking, cleaning, or preparing matcha for Julian and myself, these acts bring me joy. I also love movement - a mix of Pilates, yoga, walks, runs, or swims – they all help me feel grounded.
For me, mindfulness is about truly returning to the present, being fully aware, and letting go of that constant internal chatter. It's a return to love.
BVOY: When did you fall in love with matcha?
GD: When I was 10 years old… I still remember the day. I did a yoga class with my best friend Olivia and her mom in Venice, afterwards we went to Abbott Kinney and walked into the cutest boutique, across from Westminster Elementary School. We ordered a green tea matcha boba. I actually remember the taste - it was perfection. It was the first, but certainly not the last matcha I had. I was hooked.
BVOY: What’s one ritual or habit that helps you reset during a busy day?
GD: Chanting. It’s a beautiful practice to come back to. To reset your breath, your mind, to return to the present and remember everything is okay, the only thing that exists is here and now.
BVOY: What’s your favorite way to enjoy matcha?
GD: My favorite, favorite… fresh mint leaves from the market, steeped in water, whisked with honey, mixed with Matcha, served with Pistachio Milk. (Chefs kiss).
BVOY: What do you hope people feel when they drink a cup of BVOY matcha?
GD: I hope they feel refreshed and renewed!
BVOY: If you could share a cup of matcha with anyone, who would it be and why?
GD: I love making matcha and sharing it, whether it's part of someone's routine or a new experience for them. There's nothing quite like seeing their face light up when they enjoy it. Making a matcha every morning for Julian is a true gift; I cherish the joy it brings to his day. Now he even requests them in the afternoon! It's been wonderful to watch him discover his own favorite way to drink it, his own little ritual.
I have incredibly fond memories of drinking matcha with my dad, a ritual we'd share at least three times a week. I'd sometimes get home from a long, draining school day, facing a mountain of homework, and feel utterly depleted. All I'd crave was some matcha. So, he'd drive us to our favorite spot, we'd grab our cups, and just enjoy the ride home together. Those were truly special moments I'll always cherish.