At Olive, we work with many amazing organizations and this time of year feels like a massive harvest. We are busy all year long, but there is something so wild about the number of events that decorate our calendars during September and October. I am so deeply inspired by all the causes we get to align with and the opportunities our clients bring to us.
Every morning, my chat box is filled with updates about TV segments happening all over the West Coast and then we connect about how to tackle everything coming up. It’s pure joy. What is even more exciting are the calls and messages I have been receiving from happy clients. The event season also allows us to see all our people doing their best work. Just this last week, I attended the Harvest Moon fundraiser for Ilan Lael Foundation and the Emilio Nares Annual Harvest for Hope event. Both were extraordinary and beautiful demonstrations of the power of community. I feel so deeply honored that Olive is a part of both organizations.
Last night, we attended the State of the Neighborhood Dinner in Little Italy, and my heart was filled to see so many familiar faces. The CEO of New City America, Marco LiMandri, has been an instrumental part of our growth as a company. He unexpectedly handed me the microphone to say a few words and what flowed out of my mouth was a little story about how my career started and how important this neighborhood has been.
Not many people know this, but the first account I ever got to work on as a legit professional at the age of 21 was Doma by CityMark Development in Little Italy. This was 2001 and I was finally able to write press releases and advertorials for the real world. I wrote about this walkable downtown community, the stunning architecture, and its proximity to the San Diego Bay. I remember telling myself that when I was finally a grown-up, I would buy a condo in this very neighborhood. Fast forward to age 28 when my new husband and I took a day off to enjoy wandering around Downtown San Diego, we walked past the pre-approval loan office and he suggested we see what we could get approved for. The next thing we knew we were standing in a real estate office asking to see condos. Little did I know that CityMark Development had just completed their latest midrise in Little Italy and within a couple of days, we were signing papers and my dream was realized. I lived in my dream neighborhood in a brand new dream condo by the very developer I had made myself fall for with my own words. I remember moving in and being so overwhelmed by how beautiful it was. I would go on morning runs and cry over the stunning experience of watching the fisherman bring in their catch. I couldn’t believe this was my life.
And that is how my love affair with Little Italy began. Shortly after, I started building Olive from our guest bedroom. We soon graduated to an office and after five years into business, Luke Vinci invited me to present a proposal to the Little Italy Association. I remember being nervous it would be difficult to work so closely… I was in love with my neighborhood, my home, and my growing business, and what if knowing the ins and outs of the community ruined it? Instead, when I attended the first meeting, I cried tears of inspiration. Today, over 11 years later, not only do we still work with Little Italy, but we found out we are pretty great at representing neighborhoods. We have worked with many more, including Little Italy, East Village, Arts District Liberty Station, Downtown Chula Vista, MainStreet Oceanside, College Area Business District, La Mesa for the Oktoberfest, Redwood City Improvement Association, Downtown Hayward, Liberty Station, Bainbridge Island Downtown Association, and more.
Little Italy remains the home of our office, and my heart continues to feel so connected to this community because it raised me. At last night’s event, I realized that not only is it my professional community, but as Marco said, it’s family. Olive has grown to be more than a public relations agency; she has grown up to be a catalyst for connection that has grown beyond professional relationships and has created a family and community that I call home.
When I looked around the room, I saw neighbors, friends, colleagues, and people who have championed Olive over the years, as well as business owners who have benefitted from our work. It is such a tremendous honor to know that our efforts have elevated the community and illuminated all of the amazing work that has been done to make this community what it is today.
I hope you are finding ways to relish in the harvest of the season. If you need some help, let me share with you all the exciting events we have coming up that you don’t want to miss.
9/27 – Komen More Than Pink Walk Mission Brewery Launch Party 4:30pm to 7:30pm
9/28-29 – La Jolla Art + Wine Festival
10/4-6 – La Mesa Oktoberfest
10/5 – Taste of Oceanside
10/5 – East Village Oktoberfest
10/12 – 14th Annual Ivey Ranch Park Western Hoedown
10/19 – High Tech High 25th Anniversary Gala
10/26 – Oceanside Museum of Art After Dark
10/27 – Trick or Treat on India Street in Little Italy
11/2 – Downtown Chula Vista Dia de Los Muertos
11/3 – Komen More Than Pink Walk
We hope to see you out there!