My journey began with a labor of love and dedication to the community where I grew up. I remember when the idea for East End Taste first came to me - it started as a passion project to keep my creativity flowing while my daughter was a toddler. I enjoyed that East End Taste allowed me to go out, network, and connect with others in my industry. I quickly built a strong network of leaders and those who were also passionate about their businesses and industries. I loved being around such passionate and hardworking individuals - and that's how the concept for the Hamptons Interactive Brunch came to be.

I felt like I was spending too much time working at the computer. Although I didn't have much experience in the corporate world, except for some internships in editing and production before I started teaching ESL (which was my career before my daughter was born), I wanted to create an annual networking event. My goal was to bring together like-minded individuals for an afternoon of fun and giving back to local non-profits. In the spring of 2018, I came up with the idea for the Hamptons Interactive Brunch - a daytime event with interactive activities featuring brands and businesses I admire. Most of these brands are based in New York and Long Island!

I am incredibly proud of how the Brunch has evolved over the years. I am certain that the 5th annual event will be a great cause for celebration. What I love most is that when people hear about the event, they show a lot of enthusiasm and are always eager to help spread the excitement to those around them, creating a very organic and curated ripple effect.

This year, we are expecting a record number of attendees. The event will feature a walk-through style experience with activities in the beauty and wellness space, plenty of food and drinks, shopping, and much more. I enjoy surprising my guests, and there will certainly be plenty of new and unique experiences throughout the event, which will run from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The founders, Jennifer and Diana, are dear friends of mine, and I applaud them for what they have accomplished so far. They are actively lobbying to pass Francesco’s Law, which will focus on firearm safety measures for households with minors.

Like many of us, I have experienced the loss of someone close to me due to suicide. Two of my classmates from high school committed suicide, and their names have never left my mind. I am completely supportive of anything I can do to advocate for this sensitive yet crucial cause!

I personally hand-select each brand and business along with my production team. We receive a tremendous amount of interest from various businesses, but we carefully consider who will be attending and the kind of experience we want to offer our guests. We also focus on creating lasting memories at the brunch that will encourage attendees to share their experiences on social media or through word of mouth. Many of the business owners are personal friends of mine with whom I've developed close relationships over the years. These are brands that I am passionate about and that I want others to discover and appreciate as I have.

When it comes to creating the silent auction, I strive to include experiences and items that are unique and hard to come by. I ensure that they are something I would want to bid on myself, in support of our beneficiary, Francesco’s Foundation. I want people to be impressed and excited by the offerings and eager to win them, saying, “Wow, I’ve never seen this or heard of this before. I really want to win this!

I find it really interesting how every year, the Brunch introduces something new and special, adding a different flair and extra elements to make the event stand out. I'd like to organize more events in Manhattan and even consider holding an event in a different part of the country. I believe in gradual, natural growth and I'm already planning for next year and ways to expand. The most important thing for me is the feedback I receive from guests each year — they often express how much they enjoyed the event, reconnecting with past attendees and meeting new ones, and they can't stop talking about the gift bag from last year!