Connecting virtually with SHACK15
Written BY KELLY COSTELLO / PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROB BERRY + RED RAINEY
A big part of our mission at SHACK15 is building community through our events and programming and bringing our members together for connection and inspiration.
Despite our best laid plans and full programming calendar for the spring, the global health crisis has entered us all into a new era, turning our plans for in-person events upside down. But now, more than ever, we want to be a place that offers support and community as we settle into the new normal of work-from-home, social distancing, and Zoom calls for all occasions.
So we took our programming calendar virtual and hosted two events last week, with more on the horizon for the rest of April. It’s our hope to provide some joy, inspiration, insight, and fun in this strange season we all find ourselves in.
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In case you missed last week’s virtual events…
We hosted a SHACK15 Conversation with author and editor Zack O’Malley Greenburg, on his new book A-List Angels, which chronicles the rise of celebrity investors. Moderated by Chris Lyons, who leads Andreessen Horowitz’s Cultural Leadership Fund, the conversation was both lively and timely as they discussed the changing shape of the venture capital and investment landscape and opportunities for new voices in the room.
Through interviews with Ashton Kutcher, Shaquille O’Neal and Serena Williams (to name a few), A-List Angels looks at the growing trend of celebrities, athletes and actors who have entered into business or asked for equity in brand deals, and how that’s allowed for an influx of different perspectives and personas in the landscape. Both Chris, who has experience leading efforts to connect the cultural leaders to the best new technology companies, and Zack, a long-time entertainment editor at Forbes, had really interesting things to say about this new avenue of wealth for the creative class and what it means for other entrepreneurs and investors looking to tap into this phenomenon.
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One poignant and inspiring anecdote from the conversation was when Zack recounted the time he asked Shaq what had motivated him to add venture capital to his long list of titles, he responded “Fear.” He had seen so many athletes go broke in the years following their professional careers and wanted to change the narrative for himself and inspire other players to do the same. His main criteria for what he chooses to invest in is something that he is passionate about and something that can make the world a better place.
We’ll be releasing a podcast with the full conversation on our upcoming SHACK15 Conversations Podcast series, where you can hear more anecdotes about what Zack’s conversations with the “A-List Angels,” and a wild night he had when interviewing Kanye West. Be sure to pick up the book in the meantime to learn more!
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On a different note, we also held a virtual breathwork session with Hailey Lott and Open, a SF-based meditation startup that brings people together through music, sound, breath, and movement. Now, more than ever, it’s so important to prioritize mental health and self care, and finding a way to achieve that while also creating community is what Hailey and Open are so skilled at.
Hailey is a brilliant meditation specialist, sound healer, yoga instructor, and vibe creator, who helps people transform their mindsets and find freedom, joy, and contentment in each moment. Our 50+ zoom attendees, enjoyed an hour-long breathwork, mindfulness and gratitude practice and left feeling energized and at peace. We will definitely be organizing more events with both Hailey and Open where you can tune in from wherever you are for an hour of self-care, so stay tuned for those announcements.
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Upcoming events
JEREMY MCMILLAN, EXECUTIVE CHEF AT SHACK15
Next Friday, April 17, we’re excited to host the inaugural Homebody Happy Hour, a live cocktail demo with SHACK15 Executive Chef Jeremy McMillan leading into a live DJ set from LA-based DJ Mike Gushansky.
From the comforts of your couch, enjoy an expertly crafted cocktail with Chef Jeremy, an executive chef at the Mina Group, who leads the food and beverage program at SHACK15. As the executive chef at International Smoke, he led the development of that flavor-filled menu, and is now building out SHACK15’s cafe and forthcoming restaurant, so he’s sure to bring some exciting tastes to your quarantine Friday. He’ll be demoing a cocktail from the SHACK15 bar menu, launching soon!
Then, tune into a DJ set from Mike Gushansky whose music explores the sweet spot between techno, house, disco and funk with his music. Mike is the co-creator of the Redline series in his hometown of Los Angeles, as well as a resident of San Francisco’s wildly popular As You Like It parties since 2013. He’s known as an improviser, storyteller and lover of vinyl, so he'll bring the party to you and re-create a live experience at home.
Please make sure to RSVP in advance, so we can share the zoom information and cocktail ingredients with you!