Most people struggle to master one thing. Shani Storey has made a career out of refusing to choose. Based in Portland, she's a stylist who curates art shows, a creative producer who leads run clubs, and a former Division II athlete who brings the same discipline to building community that she once brought to the track.

Her latest project, The Breakfast Club PDX, is rewriting the rules of what a run club can be- equal parts Sunday morning miles and carefully curated coffee culture. We caught up with Shani to talk about her multidisciplinary approach to creativity, why Portland's running scene needed a refresh, and how she's leaving her fingerprints on everything from fashion shoots to 5K splits.

COURIER: Give us the elevator pitch: who is Shani Storey, and how do you introduce yourself when someone asks what you do?

SS: I'm Shani Storey, a Portland-born creative, stylist and storyteller with an expansive toolkit and a passion for blending culture, fashion and community. My work spans production, photography, and styling—bringing visions to life with intention and impact. Inspired by the people and communities I'm part of, I create experiences and visuals that foster connection and representation. I also build spaces where movement and creativity come together, driven by my background as a Division II athlete. I bring creativity, discipline, and collaboration into everything I do, leaving my fingerprints on every project I touch.

COURIER: You've lived in both Portland and San Francisco, worked as a stylist and creative producer, curated art shows, and now are starting up a run community in Portland. How do all these different creative outlets and experiences feed into each other? Where do you see the connections between styling, art, building community, and running?

SS: For me, all of these outlets feed each other because they're rooted in the same thing: connection. Styling, producing, curating art, or leading a run all come from a place of wanting to bring people together around a shared energy and inspiration. Whether I'm building a visual story or building a community, I'm creating an experience that makes people feel seen, included and part of something bigger.

COURIER: You created Breakfast Club to be a ladies-only run club. What was the spark that made you want to build this particular community?

SS: I started The Breakfast Club because I wanted a space for women to show up unapologetically as themselves. Running can be intimidating, and I wanted to create a space that felt warm, fun, approachable- a place that could create a sense of belonging.

COURIER: Most running groups focus purely on the miles, but Breakfast Club feels different- more curated, more intentional. How does your creative background influence the way you think about community building? What "fingerprints" are you leaving on Portland's running culture?

SS: My creative background plays into everything I do, from the way I think about branding and visuals to how I curate the vibe of the group. It’s not just “come run and leave” - it’s coffee after, it’s intentional design, it’s celebrating small wins all while building new connections with other women in our community. The fingerprints I'm leaving are about showing that running culture can be beautiful, inclusive, and stylish while still being about the joy of movement. 

COURIER: Portland has such a unique culture—creative, outdoorsy, unpretentious but still considered. How does the city itself shape both your creative work and the energy of Breakfast Club PDX? Is there something specifically "Portland" about how your community approaches running?

SS: Portland has this rare blend of creativity, grit and laid-back energy. I think that definitely plays a role in the way I shape both my work and The Breakfast Club. The city encourages you to experiment, to try new things without worrying about perfection—which is exactly the spirit I want in our runs. It's about showing up, connecting, and enjoying the process. I think that freedom to be yourself while still feeling part of a collective is what makes our approach to running feel so "Portland."

COURIER: As someone juggling multiple creative pursuits, leadership roles, and athletic goals, how do you think about gear and the things you surround yourself with? Do you look for pieces that can move between your different worlds, or do you compartmentalize?

SS: I'm all about versatility. I love pieces that can move with me, from a morning run to a meeting to a night out. I'm drawn to functional gear with personality, things that can cross over into different spaces while still feeling like "me." But I also love those pieces that are special, meant for just one purpose.

COURIER: Words to leave us with?

SS: At the end of the day, whether I’m styling a shoot, producing a project, or running with the crew, it’s all about joy, connection, and creating something that leaves an impact (big or small). That’s what drives me!

Follow Shani @shanilstorey and The Breakfast Club PDX @thebreakfastclubpdx for more Portland running culture.

Photos by Brynne Mower