What Our First Event Taught Us

Before Talent Show Vol. 1 ever happened, we had no team, no structure, and no real plan. The idea came together in February, and all we really knew was that we wanted to create something, even if it was not perfectly mapped out. We bought six hundred dollar speakers off Facebook Marketplace. We took a chance on a few friends who said they knew how to DJ. We chose a location we loved. And we figured that if a handful of people showed up, that alone would be enough to call it a win.

When we finally hosted Talent Show Vol. 1 at the Torrey Pines Gliderport, it was supposed to be a simple gathering of friends. Instead, it turned into something much larger than anything we pictured. We had around one hundred fifty RSVPs, more than one hundred people showed up, and three DJs carried the energy throughout the afternoon. Within forty eight hours, the event generated more than one hundred fifty thousand organic views across social platforms, brought in six hundred thirty new followers, and caught the attention of brands and creators who wanted to work with us. The numbers were exciting, but what struck us most was how ready people were to show up for something real. That turnout taught us more than any metric could.

One of the biggest things we learned was that community driven experiences hold real value. Research shows that people are seeking deeper connection and choosing intimate gatherings over large, overstimulating events. Seeing that trend unfold in front of us made it clear why the energy felt different. People were not responding to production or scale. They were responding to intention. They were responding to the feeling of being welcomed into something that did not need to be perfect to matter.

We also learned how much the environment shapes an experience. Torrey Pines created an atmosphere that no indoor venue could replicate. The cliffs, the open space, and the natural setting made people comfortable, open, and more willing to participate. It confirmed something we believed early on. Local spaces, especially those tied to nature or neighborhood identity, can elevate an event with very little added to them. When people feel grounded in a place, they connect more easily. It becomes the foundation for everything else.

The final lesson was about energy and momentum. After the event, we heard from brands, creators, and DJs who wanted to collaborate on whatever came next. They were not drawn to a perfect show, because we did not put on a perfect show. They were drawn to the feeling. They were drawn to the willingness to build something with others. It reminded us that community is created by people, not by perfection. Even as our audience grows, the heart of what we are building stays the same. We are here to create opportunities for people to gather, express themselves, and feel something together.