1904 Connect

Building a culture brand that moves the room.

Role Founder · Creative Director · Executive Producer

Scope Brand Strategy · Event Production · Content · Sponsorships

Year 2025 – Present

The Overview

A networking event that doesn’t feel like one.

I created 1904 Connect — a culture-forward community brand built around The Creative Exchange, a concept and positioning I originated from scratch. The Creative Exchange is a monthly gathering held every third Thursday at Cloak & Petal in San Diego: a no-fluff space where professionals, creatives, and entrepreneurs connect through curated spirit tastings, intentional programming, and a room carefully built for real conversation.

I built it from scratch — name, brand identity, strategy, event production, content systems, and sponsorship development — and scaled it to a self-sustaining community in under a year. No paid ad campaigns. Just brand equity and real engagement.

The Work

From a standing start to a self-sustaining movement.

I developed the full brand system for 1904 Connect and produced The Creative Exchange as its flagship event. Each edition spotlights local vendors and creatives, features curated spirit tastings with a story behind the brand, and runs a “Who Not How” connector segment that drives the room’s culture forward. The experience is designed to feel less like a conference mixer and more like a gathering you’d actually want to be at.

The brand’s strategic positioning attracted an inbound partnership inquiry from On The Record — an MGM Resorts-owned nightclub in Las Vegas . I secured brand sponsorships with Mijenta Tequila, Nikka Whiskey, Lalo Tequila, Amaras Mezcal, and Uncle Nearest through community credibility rather than paid reach.

1904 Connect is evolving beyond events into a full media platform — with sponsored content and original editorial at its core, building toward a digital magazine celebrating San Diego culture and community.

196% RSVP growth in 4 months

150 RSVPs, 9 months straight

$0 Paid advertising — 100% organic growth

Brand Partners

Mijenta Tequila Nikka Whiskey Lalo Tequila Amaras Mezcal Uncle Nearest On The Record — MGM Resorts

Email Marketing

Built the subscriber base 6.5× from the ground up

Grew the 1904 Connect email list from 120 to 790+ subscribers over 14 months — zero paid acquisition. Managed 69 campaigns end-to-end: concept, copy, design, scheduling, and performance review. Sustained a community that actually opened what was sent.

6.5× Subscriber growth — 120 to 790+

42% Avg open rate — nearly 2× industry benchmark

<0.5% Unsubscribe rate across 69 campaigns