Living the Dream
Cliche as it may sound, "living the dream" is the best and only way to describe my current situation. Perhaps because my company is unfolding in ways I had never expected or perhaps because I've found a career in what I'm passionate about.
I started Red Rope Reviews while I sat bored out of my mind in a graphic design class at SDSU. Feeling rather arrogant, I asked my graphic design teacher if I could have a semester long project that I could finish instead of having to sit in class all semester and re-learn things I had taught myself as a teenager.
You see, back when it was uncool to be on chat rooms and have internet profiles, little Ari was gathering useful information that would help her technology driven future. Luckily, I wasn't your typical computer nerd growing up. No - I ran for student body, attempted to succeed as a cheerleader and high school socialite - however my real passion was computers and creative design. I would sit in my room for hours asking people how to make mini-websites, how to make my eyes green on Photoshop and how to make moving .gif files.
Luckily on that day when I asked to do my own thing for that SDSU class, my professor mistook my arrogance for innovative motivation and allowed me to create the semester long project I requested. He asked me to build an online magazine about whatever I was passionate about.
I sat for a while and thought about what my life consisted of.
A. I wrote in my blog almost everyday. Writing was my passion.
B. I had just turned 21. I was still the socialite my parents dreaded. My weekly goal was to meet and greet with as many new nighclub bouncers and managers as possible. I could smile or charm my way into the most happening places in San Diego without waiting more than 30 seconds at the front of the line.
C. I was determined to be unique, well-known and well respected. I wanted everyone to know that not only could I meet everyone in town - I was genuinely interested in what everyone had to offer.
And so emerged Red Rope Reviews.com
My phone rang almost every weekend with people asking me what the top clubs were. How to get in the front of the line. Now - these people could just log on and they could read about my most recommended hot spots.
A year went by...
Along the way I picked up what I like to call, "The Dream Team".
"2E" - A crazy college friend with the energy of a 3 year old, a Scooby Doo personality, a heart of gold, abs of steel and A TOP OF THE LINE DIGITAL CAMERA. Jason Toohey. One year ahead of me in college - knew about twice as many people as I did - and was known as the fraternity "paparazzi". Toohey became my rock. Every idea I came up with, Toohey agreed with - making me feel like a genious, Toohey's encouragement and help with all the photography got Red Rope Reviews on the map. A year later - we are moving into our office in Pacific Beach.
"Lenny Katz" - Lenny is like that crazy uncle in the family who always has something up his sleeve. He can't help but rattling up a crowd by starting a conversation about politics - only to rally himself up into a frenzy. 2e's fraternity brother Lenny was interested in Red Rope Reviews, not because of the nightlife aspect so much as the MEDIA aspect of what Red Rope Reviews could offer the public. Nightlife service announcements so to speak. The people let the public know what was really going on behind the scenes. When I met Lenny I was so excited to have him part of the team. Our ideas bounced off each other and since the beginning we knew the possibilities were endless. Lenny is a workaholic who lives for the high of being on the spot and in the action. This is just what Red Rope Reviews needed - A producer with unfailing drive.
"Gerold" - 2E's college roommate and cocky counterpart. Matt knows everything. At least he makes himself and everyone else think he does. Matt knows who's who in this town and he knows how to rally a crowd. Matt also has a heart of gold, just don't let him know you know that. Matt helped me learn how to get the important things accomplished first, how to be bold and make business decisions. Matt came on board as the Director of Operations.
There is a year of stories I wish I could tell all at once, but I think it's best to start the story as it unfolds today. A group of young entrepreneurs with big goals that will be accomplished with no doubt in our minds. Not everyone believed in us, but some did. Most importantly - we believed in eachother.
Anyway - now you know the back story behind my dream. And now that I'm living it - I'll walk you through an industry that I think has a lot to offer. It's an industry of fun and entertainment - never a dull moment, so hopefully I can help capture it for you...
Over and Out.
-Red Rope Ari-
I started Red Rope Reviews while I sat bored out of my mind in a graphic design class at SDSU. Feeling rather arrogant, I asked my graphic design teacher if I could have a semester long project that I could finish instead of having to sit in class all semester and re-learn things I had taught myself as a teenager.
You see, back when it was uncool to be on chat rooms and have internet profiles, little Ari was gathering useful information that would help her technology driven future. Luckily, I wasn't your typical computer nerd growing up. No - I ran for student body, attempted to succeed as a cheerleader and high school socialite - however my real passion was computers and creative design. I would sit in my room for hours asking people how to make mini-websites, how to make my eyes green on Photoshop and how to make moving .gif files.
Luckily on that day when I asked to do my own thing for that SDSU class, my professor mistook my arrogance for innovative motivation and allowed me to create the semester long project I requested. He asked me to build an online magazine about whatever I was passionate about.
I sat for a while and thought about what my life consisted of.
A. I wrote in my blog almost everyday. Writing was my passion.
B. I had just turned 21. I was still the socialite my parents dreaded. My weekly goal was to meet and greet with as many new nighclub bouncers and managers as possible. I could smile or charm my way into the most happening places in San Diego without waiting more than 30 seconds at the front of the line.
C. I was determined to be unique, well-known and well respected. I wanted everyone to know that not only could I meet everyone in town - I was genuinely interested in what everyone had to offer.
And so emerged Red Rope Reviews.com
My phone rang almost every weekend with people asking me what the top clubs were. How to get in the front of the line. Now - these people could just log on and they could read about my most recommended hot spots.
A year went by...
Along the way I picked up what I like to call, "The Dream Team".
"2E" - A crazy college friend with the energy of a 3 year old, a Scooby Doo personality, a heart of gold, abs of steel and A TOP OF THE LINE DIGITAL CAMERA. Jason Toohey. One year ahead of me in college - knew about twice as many people as I did - and was known as the fraternity "paparazzi". Toohey became my rock. Every idea I came up with, Toohey agreed with - making me feel like a genious, Toohey's encouragement and help with all the photography got Red Rope Reviews on the map. A year later - we are moving into our office in Pacific Beach.
"Lenny Katz" - Lenny is like that crazy uncle in the family who always has something up his sleeve. He can't help but rattling up a crowd by starting a conversation about politics - only to rally himself up into a frenzy. 2e's fraternity brother Lenny was interested in Red Rope Reviews, not because of the nightlife aspect so much as the MEDIA aspect of what Red Rope Reviews could offer the public. Nightlife service announcements so to speak. The people let the public know what was really going on behind the scenes. When I met Lenny I was so excited to have him part of the team. Our ideas bounced off each other and since the beginning we knew the possibilities were endless. Lenny is a workaholic who lives for the high of being on the spot and in the action. This is just what Red Rope Reviews needed - A producer with unfailing drive.
"Gerold" - 2E's college roommate and cocky counterpart. Matt knows everything. At least he makes himself and everyone else think he does. Matt knows who's who in this town and he knows how to rally a crowd. Matt also has a heart of gold, just don't let him know you know that. Matt helped me learn how to get the important things accomplished first, how to be bold and make business decisions. Matt came on board as the Director of Operations.
There is a year of stories I wish I could tell all at once, but I think it's best to start the story as it unfolds today. A group of young entrepreneurs with big goals that will be accomplished with no doubt in our minds. Not everyone believed in us, but some did. Most importantly - we believed in eachother.
Anyway - now you know the back story behind my dream. And now that I'm living it - I'll walk you through an industry that I think has a lot to offer. It's an industry of fun and entertainment - never a dull moment, so hopefully I can help capture it for you...
Over and Out.
-Red Rope Ari-
Labels: ari, ariadna jacob, red rope, red rope reviews, san diego clubs, san diego nightclubs, story behind red rope
posted by RedRopeAri at
11:48 PM
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