Sigal Hurvitz Bin, Formative's founder on the Father Figures in her life and how they influenced her:
The oldest of three girls, I was fortunate enough to be born into a family with two strong father figures: my Dad, Issac, and my maternal Grandfather, Yakov. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for the two of them.
My dad, an Electrical Engineer with a passion for reading science fiction books that I have yet found a parallel for, raised me with warmth and big papa-bear hugs. Sitting next to him, I learned to think critically and love big. My dad's a giant regardless of stature. He's the first to say I love you, the first to hug, and always cracks jokes no matter the social setting (even with my old professors - there was this joke about a nun once. Oy.) .
I loved and dreaded working on my homework with my dad. It was always such serious business, though the joy he got from teaching me how to solve a problem, and think my way around it is one that is still in me, and one I hope I'll manage to pass down to my kids.
My dad is the one who taught me to never give up. He instilled in me the lessons of thinking well and working hard. My dad remains a beacon of integrity and hard work. Besides my husband, I have never met anyone else with a work ethic like his, and his example has led me well in matters of the heart and in everything I do in my business. With a strong eye to success and focus, my dad has always been ready to help me with anything I need, at any time. He remains one of my biggest supporters, and is always there for me and mine.
In a rare picture together, with my sister, Ainat. Even back then, Dad and I were usually the ones behind the lens.
My grandfather, Yakov was really, really handsome. Movie star handsome. The kind of guy to turn heads and smile at everyone, my grandfather was a brilliant man who spoke, read and wrote 8 languages and wasn't put off by anything.
My grandpa always helped anyone down on their luck, and anyone working for him or at his house always got a meal, a drink, and the chance to unload their troubles for a bit.
A metalsmith, my grandfather owned a Metal shop in Tel-Aviv. He built the place by hand, down to the freight elevator itself. I can still feel the hum and deep vibration of that elevator as I write. My, but how I loved that thing - Grandpa made it, and he was the coolest man in the world! The acrid smell of metals and the sparks of welding come to mind when I think of visiting my grandpa's studio. I loved how his hands smelled at the end of the day, and how he always kept the shop clean and swept. I adored him and his excellent taste in everything from glasses, furniture, and cars. I can't think of my grandpa without thinking of his shiny well-cared for black leather briefcase with its sleek corners, his cat eyed 50s horn rimmed glasses, his panache for tobacco (which I hated), and the Harley with a boat he drove my mom and grandmother in, before he bought his Volvo.
My grandfather supported me in all I did and most of all I remember how proud he was of me, and how he used to sit me on his left knee and pet my back as I told him of what I learned that day in school. My grandfather always told me I could do whatever I wanted to do, and encouraged me to dream. I'd watch Stark Trek with him and talk about the endless possibilities and dreams of man. On the weekends, we would all get together and I'd walk up to my grandfather's library with its Russian, German, and English books, and hope that one day I could be like him.
My first memory evolving both my dad and grandpa, was them teaching me to swim in the warm Mediterranean waters at age three, with two big arm floaties that really didn't seem like they'd be enough, but were. My grandpa and dad had me between them. They took turns holding my little tummy up, and I remember their encouraging faces and big belly roars of happiness when I finally took my first doggy paddle between them. The sky wasn't as big as they were. Thanks Dad, Thanks Grandpa, I hope you're both still proud of me.
