I'm Back!
February 2024
Hi friends! January flew by so quickly, I didn’t even get a chance to get a newsletter out. But, it’s ok because I’m so excited to update you on the new business I launched in January, share some recs for where to celebrate National Margarita Day on February 22nd, and as promised, I’m calling out something long overdue in the Influencer Tea section. 🍵
A Look Back at January
The big January success story was the launch of my new business Hi Neighbor! I feel like I’ve perfected the elevator pitch for it at this point, but just in case you don’t know what it is…. Hi Neighbor is a new type of community club in Denver that focuses on getting to know your neighbors and the history of Denver’s neighborhoods. My co-founder, Olivia, and I conceived this idea about 6 months ago, and January was our very first event. The event was so successful and was met with so much excitement and joy. To say we are on cloud 9 is an understatement ☁️. However, bringing us down to earth is the very real work that is required of getting a business started and keeping it running. A lot, if not all of my free time is used for Hi Neighbor, but I really wouldn’t have it any other way. I feel so aligned with Hi Neighbor’s mission and I am loving putting my energy into a business that I think can have a huge impact on the greater Denver area, and maybe even Colorado itself.
In other personal news, I joined my local community neighborhood board. You’re now looking at the newest board member of the Sunnyside United Neighborhoods Inc 😏. I’ve only had one meeting so far, so I can’t elaborate on the experience, yet. I can tell you that I’m the youngest on the board by at least 15 years and I joined in an effort to start taking my political and community involvements seriously this year!
As for the ~cool~ things I did in Denver this January (even though starting a business and talking local politics is pretty cool in my book), I attended my first ever group crafting event with Fruits of Our Labor Co. I escaped to the mountains for a little retreat and stayed at Flying Moon Cabins. On said retreat I learned that I am very much NOT a cabin mountain girly. And I had the most insane meals this month, I was truly dining like a queen. If they are not already on your list, may I suggest adding The Regular and Kawa-Ni. They both left me wanting to return asap!
January in Photos:
Videos People are Loving
Where to Celebrate National Margarita Day
As a tequila girlie, it feels like my duty to share some local spots to celebrate National Margarita Day on February 22nd! 🍹
A classic in LoHi. Personally, I’m a fan of their classic marg (def go to happy hour though, they can be pricey)
I can’t speak for their tacos, but I can speak to their Carona-rita and their elote. Got here if you’re ready to get turnt 💯
My favorite coastal-inspired restaurant. Located in Wash Park, Perdida is perfect for a sunny day. Enjoy delicious sips in an aesthetic environment
There was no way I was making this list without an authentic Mexican restaurant. Owned by an amazing duo, go here for the margs AND the food
Hear me out, their margs go HARD. And for all spicy marg lovers they got you covered 🌶️
Influencer Tea
You would think that in a woman-dominated sphere like influencing, it would be free of creepy, predatory white men, but you’d be wrong. I’ve pulse-checked a lot of my influencer friends about writing about this specific individual and have been met with varying opinions. Some say go for it, expose him, and others agree he’s creepy but he’s too well connected to call out. And to that I say, let’s get into it!
I first interacted with this man last December, but I have known about him since the very first minute I gained any traction on social media. The DM’s started and they came in waves. He always was inviting me to influencer events, but at the time (at least to my knowledge) he didn’t run any PR businesses and he wasn’t a business owner. I had some friends who worked with him and they informed me that he runs socials for many different restaurants in Denver. Only later did I find out that he gets hired by the restaurants and then invites smaller creators to come eat and post about the restaurant. I somehow managed to avoid going to any of his events because they just didn't feel right. I later learned that the expectations of the creators he invited were quite high, and that if you didn’t continue to post about his clients and make him “happy”, then you would never be invited back.
Now, on the surface level there’s nothing wrong with this- creating content and keeping business owners happy is the game you play as a creator. But when a man in power begins to make passes at you, tells you that he’ll get you lots of followers if you work with him, and that he’ll keep working with you if you continue to make him happy - that is NEVER ok.
Back in December, I was at an event and he was unfortunately there. I was trying my best to avoid him, but alas he approached my table. He introduced himself, listed off all the businesses he works for, and let me know that he hosts influencer events in Denver. I politely declined his invitation, and told him I was not interested. This man was flabbergasted and asked if I was sure I didn’t want to come because he was “so well connected”. I politely declined again and he quickly left my table.
Then, he decided to go over to a nearby influencer table and try his hand at impressing them. He then proceeded to talk to them for a very long time (all the while my friend is shooting eyes at me, pleading for me to interject). I was about to break this up, but I saw the man was leaving. HOWEVER, before he left, he asked for the socials of both the influencers and her guests. He then added them both on Instagram and began TO COMMENT ON THEIR BIKINI PICTURES. He told them how good they looked and how he’d love to invite them to one of his events.
Full stop.
You never quite know what to do in those situations. And there are always so many layers to dissect. How uncomfortable he made all of us feel was not ok. How he was acting at an influencer event was not ok. His predatory behavior is not ok. Knowledge is power, and getting removed from his lists by writing this is absolutely worth letting other creators know to watch out and stay safe.