Inside the Event: Issue #1

Your Guide to January Growth & February Celebrations

Welcome to the Inside the Event newsletter!

This portion of my Substack is where I’ll share timely updates, monthly themes, favorite vendors, trending ideas, and upcoming events. Unlike evergreen posts, these newsletters are packed with fresh inspiration to help you create meaningful connections and moments of joy.

January: New Year, New Growth

January is all about starting fresh and cultivating growth. Here are some event ideas to spark inspiration:

• “Plant Pros” Event: Partner with your internal plant vendor to host a hands-on workshop. Employees can learn plant care tips and take home their own leafy friends.

• Smoothie & Juice Bars: To embrace a healthy(ish) January, bring in a smoothie cart for your office, or send juice deliveries to remote teams tied to a company meeting.

• Wellness Events: Check out Exubrancy for all things wellness, available in-person (in SF, CHI, and NYC) or virtually.

• Wellness workshop: Host Within Meditation’s “Draw your Garden” workshop, led by Kelsey Lettko. This workshop encourages participants to reflect on where to focus their energy for the year, using a garden metaphor. (Pro tip: You can’t water all your plants at once!) Here’s an example of my own garden, focusing on relationships, creativity, dancing, travel, work, wellness, and finances. 🌱

Looking Ahead to February

February brings opportunities to celebrate Black History Month and Valentine’s Day.

Black History Month

I’m excited to partner with our Black Employee Resource Group (ERG) to support local Black-owned businesses. In the past we’ve brought in Peaches Patties in SF and Dirty Tiff’s Cafe in Chicago. Here's a great resource from Do The Bay: an extensive list of Black-owned businesses in San Francisco and the Bay Area. I also love that our culinary team and cafe creates special menus highlighting ERG member’s favorite family recipes!

Valentine’s Day

There are so many creative ways to spread love and appreciation in the workplace:

• Custom Cookie Classes: Try virtual classes with Space Cadet or in-person sessions with City Gal Bakes in SF. I haven’t worked with either yet, but want to this year!

• Candy Grams: Bring back the nostalgia of school candy grams by providing thank-you cards for employees to send to each other.

• Go Rogue with a Mascot: One year, we introduced a Valentine’s llama! We even hosted a virtual experience where employees met llamas and learned how to draw one. 🦙

I hope these ideas inspire you as you plan upcoming events! Stay tuned for more tips, vendor highlights, and creative concepts in next month’s newsletter.

My Personal Surprise and Delight

A recent little moment of joy? A friend recommended The Telepathy Tapes podcast and just as I started listening to it while walking through Golden Gate Park, I ran into her and her family! It was a great way to end the weekend.