Le Trente

I've had the benefit of entering into various online groups over the last six or seven years. I made friends and connections with people across the world, including one Yancey Strickler, co-founder and ex-CEO of Kickstarter, who was working on a project (which you may have heard me talk about) called the Bento Society. Yancey told me that he had been looking for a hook for the book he was writing, a metaphor to illustrate his point. And as he discussed it with peers, one of his friends invited him to present his working idea to her salon.

When I heard the word, it didn’t fall on deaf ears.

A salon… I started dreaming. 

It so happens that I rented this big apartment in July 2020. Consider it a COVID type of commitment. It felt extravagant to be in a space so large on my own, so much so that for the first couple of years I didn’t let anyone in, and it wasn’t for fear of germs. 

Then with a friend, who also has a podcast, we were reflecting that when people listen to us, it’s like we are inviting them to a virtual room in our home, or office. 

The idea germinated until I came to this thought: well, I enjoyed facilitating online communities and I have this big living room, why not create something that reflects my podcast? A salon… 

A LIKE-MINDED COMMUNITY

Le Trente is also my attempt at creating a community that can come together to enjoy deep conversations, to hear from people who have projects and ideas they want to share, and to do that in a safe and intimate space. A private salon with no expectations beyond spending a good time together. 

THE FORMAT OF LE TRENTE

After exploring the concept further, I realised that one of the best ways to get people to continue a conversation, or to bond, is over food. 

For that reason, I decided that the format would include not just a talk and interview and Q&A with a guest, but a buffet-style meal, cooked by my fair hands. That way, while the numbers are greater, the feeling remains homely, personal and hopefully intimate. 

The only ask: guests bring their own drink of choice and they are to help me plate and distribute the food. 

On occasion, I host a film screening at a nearby cinema before talk and dinner. For further information and to get on a waiting list for the next salon, you can enter your information in the link below.