🍬 Sugary Scoop: The Anatomy of a Fail

Welcome to the Sugary Newsletter by yours truly.  🎉 😊

🍬The Scoop 🍬

• WHAT’S NEW?

• THE SUGARY EFFECT

• UPCOMING EVENTS

• AND DON’T SAY I DIDN’T TELL YOU ABOUT…

• ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

• EMPATHY PROJECT

• NOTABLE NYC HAPPENINGS: WEEK OF 3/18

WHAT’S NEW?

It’s Not All About the Benjamins

So, last year we hosted a number of events that asked for a suggested donation or was a ticketed event among the many free events that we also organized. I had noticed there were some members of the community that were extremely active yet when it came to a donation based or paid event, were a bit more hesitant to show up. 

Rather than take it personally, I decided to investigate and what I came to find out was many folks confided in me the fact that they were hesitant to attend events with a financial commitment because many of them were finding it challenging to make ends meet and felt too embarrassed to convey that fact.

Instead, they chose to opt out.

One of the pillars that DK and I align on very firmly is the belief that the content of your character and how you show up in life should be a key part of determining what opportunities are made available to you.

In a world where the best experiences and moments are typically only afforded to those who can afford it (or at least leaning heavily in that direction), we choose to take a different stand.

If you are experiencing a form of true financial hardship but still would like to participate in some of our paid/suggested donation events, please just let us know in confidence.

We believe in an honor system paired with the dignity of discretion and will try to accommodate to the best of our abilities to ensure a good experience for all that attend.

Who you are as a person counts and our community intends to celebrate that in every way possible. By embracing this ethos, we not only enrich our events but also reinforce the foundation of our community.

THE SUGARY EFFECT

Anatomy of a Fail

So I was gonna write a different entry this go-around but the timing and nature of what transpired (plus the added opportunity for a timely Best Picture nominee pun) inspired an entirely different post this go-around.

So as many of you no doubt heard, we had an Oscar viewing party planned this past Sunday.

A ton of planning went into it and we had everything from a red carpet to a professional photographer and a champagne tower planned! 🍾🍾🍾

Then that same day, as I was queuing in an impossibly long line at Costco about to make a major purchase of food and provisions, I get a message that the room in which we were planning to be in suffered a burst pipe and as a result emergency repairs were needed that same night.

The event could no longer happen.

Mind you I had about 75+ people planning to attend dressed to the nines within a few short hours when I got the notice after having spent the day coordinating for the evening’s grand affair.

Not fun.  

However, such is life and sometimes you just gotta grin and bear it.

So in unpredictable moments like these, I present to you some important lessons I learned, themed in Oscar fashion of course…

1. Les Miserables - You just received terrible news. It’s natural to feel the urge to freak out a bit. Try to take stock in the fact that this occurred with factors beyond your control to avoid carrying that kind of burden on your shoulders.

2. The Zone of Interest - Whoever you may be coordinating with, they need to know. I used to have this tendency of not letting people know in the moment and instead, trying to figure it all out on my own (DK particularly hates this “trait” of mine because he’s all about getting information the moment it’s available). However, this problem is bigger than you and it involves other people. Better they know now than later.  Perhaps they can even help and if not, at least they are informed and can work with you to mitigate the fallout.

3. Field of Dreams - Brainstorm alternative ideas on how to resolve the matter. Get creative, just not so much that it sacrifices the very structure of your event. In lieu of finding any viable solutions…

4. Everything Everywhere All at Once - Get the word out…fast. Your immediate priority is to let your attendees know. All mass means of communication available to reach the maximum amount of people, use it be it social media, event based email updates, mass texts, etc....  

5. Sense and Sensibility - Get the word out…slow. After you’ve done the mass reach out, take the time if you can for a more personal reach out. The information is one thing, but letting people know you care and to sense your regret over the circumstances goes a long way in their regard for your efforts.

6. Silver Linings Playbook - Unfortunate circumstances will occur from time to time and in the moment it may feel like the end of the world, however in my experience, it almost always could have been worse. In my case, I could have gotten the call AFTER I purchased all that food. Or worse yet, imagine if the pipe had burst DURING the event while everyone was dressed up? Look for the upside, there almost always is one.

7. Braveheart - Trust in yourself that this is the exception and not the norm. It may be hard in the moment, but realize it is in fact a moment and this too shall pass.

I didn’t end up watching the Oscars that night, instead I went home and took that energy and applied it to planning future events that I know will be incredible in their own right.

Life will hand you fails from time to time. Knowing how to handle it and move on from it is key to not letting one unfortunate incident dominate the narrative of your life when it was just a bad day.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Mar. 25th @7pm (Soho) - Female Founders: A Fireside Chat - Join us as we honor women’s history month by spotlighting a dynamic lineup of female founders that have found success in their journey along with life lessons learned along the way _{(Social Battery Level: MEDIUM Ambivert - Crowd Size 30-40)}

Mar. 27th @7pm (Flatiron) - Art Bath Fundraiser - Art Bath is hosting it’s Spring Fundraiser to support it’s 2024 programming and it’s gonna be an incredible and elegant evening of marquee performances hosted in arguably one of the most impressive homes in Manhattan - _{(Social Battery Level: VERY HIGH Extrovert - Crowd Size 100-125)}

Mar. 29th 7pm (East Village) - March Madness “Sweet 16” Celebration - Join us for an evening of celebration as we tune in to your favorite collegiate teams on their way to NCAA glory! We will be hosting it at the famous Fish Market 2 restaurant, serving the best crispy fried rice, fried chicken wings and free sake shots! - _{(Social Battery Level: HIGH Extrovert - Crowd Size 50-60)}

_{(Space is very limited for each of these events so if you’d like to attend to any of these events, please hit the RSVP button below sooner than later!)}

AND DON’T SAY I DIDN’T TELL YOU ABOUT…

Peoplehood

The Founders of Soulcycle have introduced an inspired new concept that explores the art of connection, self care, and mindfulness.

Founded approximately a year ago, by the dynamic duo of Elizabeth Cutler and Julie Rice, Peoplehood takes a thoughtful approach to communion with an aim at personal development.

Within the borders of their pristine Chelsea home, Peoplehood explores connection with yourself and with others.

Here, connection is an open question met with many possible answers.  

When I attended one of their experimental Gather/Meditation sessions (typically the “Gathers” don’t have meditation element) I noticed how conscientious our guide was in her thoughts and questions.  One of the founders was present the entire time and was equally committed to the process as a participant instead of just supervising the proceedings.

You get this nurturing sense to the session and it is without a doubt designed to be a safe space to be vulnerable.  Peoplehood also offers sessions specific to mothers and couples, Motherhood and Couplehood respectively, that I of course did not attend but found it novel that the options existed.

Especially in a world increasingly foreign to the notion of embracing vulnerability and fostering genuine IRL connection, Peoplehood offers a gentle way to ease into your personal development while opening yourself up to the possibility of new relationships.

For our community, use promo SUGARY redeemable for a free first Gather ($45 value) on Peoplehood.com or in person at 109 w 17th in NYC by 6/30/24.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

Juliet Ivy

This Colombian-Chinese singer songwriter based in NYC burst onto the indie pop music scene with her bright effervescent sound while delivering wisdom served with a heavy helping of witty satirical humor.

This uncommon pairing creates a kind of edge in her artistry that isn’t quite common these days.

A self-proclaimed, “lyricist first”, Juliet’s lyrics are encouragingly deep as best exemplified in her TikTok breakaway hit “We’re All Eating Each Other” which is a beautifully lighthearted delivery on the rather darker aspects of the circle of life that we choose to never think about.

Now with this newfound attention, Juliet has released her newest EP playpen which hopes to continue her ascent in the indie pop realm.

I definitely encourage you to check out her music as it is inspired lyricism delivered in accessible melodies that are entirely pleasing to the ear and might just make you reflect on life in a different way, and isn’t that the gift of art.

We’re All Eating Each Other (most popular song)

Lug (lesser known song)

Boytoy (newest song)

EMPATHY PROJECT

Support the Empathy Project by purchasing any of the items from the collection. Be a part of a unique initiative that empowers seven diverse artists to create one-of-a-kind empathy-inspired t-shirts. These shirts serve as iconography tied to our identity, promoting compassion-driven societal impact. 

Each artist picked a 501(c)3 charity of their choice to donate a portion of the sales of their t-shirt design. Your purchase also empowers voices, amplifies the message of empathy, supports charities, and elevates storytelling within our communities, all while building a network for compassion-driven societal change. Join us in making a lasting impact through art and empathy.

You can check out and purchase the 7 different empathy tees HERE

NOTABLE NYC HAPPENINGS: WEEK OF 3/18

Wed 3/20 @7pm - 57 FAM Event featuring Alex Alpert

Sat 3/23 @6pm - Essex Pearl Bon Voyage Party

Thank you for taking the time to read to the end!

I hope you found something inspiring and meaningful in my content and until next time, explore the possibilities of NYC.

-Sugary

🍰🍭🍩🍦🍫🍪🍨🧁

PS. Don’t be shy and hit reply and tell me how you’re doing!