Name: Carli Roth and Yvonne Najor
Age: 20-something year olds
Job Title and Description: Co-Founders & Directors of Events
College / Major: (Carli) University of Colorado, Boulder/Communications; (Yvonne) University of Southern California/ Sociology
Website: www.hostcommittee.com
Twitter Handle: @hostcommittee
What does your current job entail? Is there such a thing as a typical day?
Carli Roth and Yvonne Najor: A typical day doesn’t exist for us. We spend the day creating new experiences and events for party throwers (a.k.a. hosts). Our nights are focused on attending the Host Committee events, which can sometimes [include] four parties in a single night. The goal each day is to provide party hosts access to top NYC venues for an unforgettable night with all of their friends!
What is the best part of your job?
CR and YN: Connecting people together and watching people connect through our parties. It’s undeniably rewarding and exciting to see how putting mutual friends in a room together gets people even more pumped about partying. We actually had a singles event that resulted in eight relationships, and that’s a huge success in our eyes. The power of Host Committee can easily be seen with how people continuously meet friends of friends.
What was your first entry-level job in your field and how did you get it?
CR: I started at Harrison & Shriftman in PR and events, which led to doing events for JWALK (used to be RJW Collective). In both jobs, I worked very closely with the partners of the company and learned a tremendous amount from each of them.
YN: Marketing and event coordinator for Contemporary Asian Concepts (a restaurant group in NYC). I got it through a referral from a past internship. Make sure you always do your best because you never know where that relationship can take you.
What inspired you to start Host Committee?
CR and YN: Our friends would always turn to us to help them plan special events: birthdays, holiday parties, going away parties, fundraisers—you name it. We wanted to provide people with the tools they needed to make throwing their own events and parties easy. Now, they can send one email to the Host Committee team and suddenly lock in a DJ, photographer, open bar, staff and chic invite – all for free. With all of the details complete, they simply invite their friends and fill the room – let the party begin!
What are some key things to consider when starting a business with someone else? What should you look for in a co-founder?
CR: We are very fortunate to have the situation we do. As friends from high school, roommates and previous co-founders (of DBD Social, which got acquired by Host Committee), we look for balance, respect and trust. We’re a team, and we love to have fun. It’s amazing to get to go to work with your best friend everyday.
YN: You have to respect and trust your business partner. I think Carli and I really respect each other’s opinions and decisions, and these factors have helped us grow has a team.
Who is one person who changed your professional life for the better?
CR: My dad. He taught me the importance of integrity and hard work.
YN: My dad. I grew up with an entrepreneurial father who encouraged me to follow my passion, keep my promises and develop a reputation for integrity.
What words of wisdom do you find most valuable?
CR and YN: “If you had one shot –or one opportunity—to seize everything you ever wanted in one moment, would you capture it or just let it slip?”
What is one mistake you made along the way and what did you learn from it?
CR and YN: As entrepreneurs, we are constantly making mistakes – and we learn and grow because of them. Over the last months, we have learned that success comes from knowing where your strengths lie and being upfront about weaknesses. You [also] need to surround yourself with colleagues you can count on and who can count on you so you are collectively an unstoppable team.
Where do you see yourselves (and Host Committee) in 10 years?
CR and YN: The leading network of parties in cities all over the world!
What do you look for when considering hiring someone?
CR and YN: We are always looking for someone who is social, outgoing and loves meeting new people. We want to build our dream team of girls who understand the importance of relationships and throwing a great party.
What advice would you give to a 20-something with similar aspirations?
CR and YN: Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t make you happy – then you should find something that does. Never give up and have the best time while you try. Keep smiling and keep dancing!