In 2008, Guest of a Guest was born as a website that would show party-goers what New York’s social scene had to offer through pictures. Rachelle Hruska (with the help of co-founder Cameron Winklevoss) came up with the idea after noticing that many people in NYC would crash at other people’s Hampton’s homes during the summer. As Rachelle explained to The Wall Street Journal, “Everyone was a guest of a guest.” In other words, everyone felt welcomed and connected. This is what made Guest of a Guest so popular; it wasn’t just NYC parties and people that were featured, but LA, DC, and the Hamptons as well.

Rachelle is both a successful New York entrepreneur and a relatable Nebraska native who studied psychology and pre-med. When asked if she had always been an extroverted party-goer, she replied that even today, she doesn’t think of herself in that light. In the middle of all the hustle and bustle, Rachelle is most content with her husband and son in Montauk. She enjoys reading physical books while drinking coffee outdoors, followed by an early bedtime.

Levo gives us an inside look at how Rachelle is shaking up the social scene by “attending parties with a purpose.”

mac desktop together with flower vase on work table

Current Location: New York

Where you are from originally: Nebraska

Education (College and Major): Creighton University, Psychology, and Pre-Med

Brief Description of Guest of a Guest: Guest of a Guest is a media website that covers people, places, and parties around the globe. Since its inception, Guest of a Guest has grown to include a picture database of hundreds of thousands of people and events all over the world, with office locations in NYC, the Hamptons, LA, and DC.

How did you meet Cameron Winklevoss and come up with the idea for Guest of a Guest?: I met Cameron in NYC in 2005. I was writing an anonymous blog about the city and its incredible nightlife scene and looking into business schools. He persuaded me to forgo business school and try making Guest of a Guest a full-time company.

What was your dream job/career when you were younger, and how has starting Guest of a Guest either helped contribute to this vision or changed it?: I wanted to be a child psychologist growing up, though I also always had an entrepreneurial spirit. After moving to NYC, my world was opened, both personally and professionally, and I myself was also open to the opportunities that presented themselves to me, something I recommend to anyone—you never know where life will take you. I’m still interested in the psychology of young minds—maybe later in life, I’ll go back to pursuing that passion.

Being an extroverted party-goer: is this something you’ve always been or did it come with the launch of Guest of a Guest?: I have never really thought of myself as an “extroverted party-goer” even today. I suppose with time and experience, I started getting much more comfortable in social situations, especially as friends were created along the way to bump into. I liked showing up to a party with a “purpose,” it hid my awkwardness and lack of confidence for sure.

clothing collection with vibrant colors

Your office style in a few words: I like to be comfortable, but classically dressed during the day. I wear a lot of shirt dresses (especially when I’m pregnant) with jewelry or a blazer and jeans.

Style icon: Diana Vreeland

Next item you plan to splurge on: Hard to say… I’m an impulsive buyer.

One type of clothing you can’t live without: My Rick Owens jacket.

Store for bargain pieces: Calypso St. Barth or Scoop’s store sales—any of the sample sales.

Heels: Tod’s—they are the most comfortable heels I’ve ever owned.

One style/trend/article of clothing you never want to see in the office: I want everyone to have his or her own personal style and I’m really not picky about what people wear, but anything super tight (on a man or woman) is usually a no go for me.

Different kinds of books that is stacked together on the table

Describe your management style: I think I’m a pretty laid-back manager and as time has gone on, have learned to be a better delegator. I try my best to check in with everyone as often as I can, but I make it clear at the beginning that the less you hear from me, the better.

Number of employees at Guest of a Guest: 12 plus dozens of photographers and contributors.

How often do you attend events for work? Has there been a shift in this part of your job now that your team has expanded: I go out much less than I used to, especially after getting married and having a child. I think it’s all a part of growing up. On average, I’d say I go to an event maybe once a week. As our team continues to expand, I like getting new people out there to represent Guest of a Guest and shed new perspectives on our editorial coverage.

In the summer, there is a shift toward Hampton’s coverage. Does your team migrate out to the beach for the summer: Yes, we always hire a Hamptons-based editor. This year she is in Montauk, which is also, conveniently, where I am most weekends. The Hamptons site was actually our first city site and the one that I’m the most personally connected to. We have so much fun with that summer-specific site.

At what level does the NYC office work with LA and DC for Guest of a Guest?: NYC is our headquarters so to speak, but we are in constant communication with the editors and event managers in LA, DC, and beyond (we currently have contributors in Miami, Chicago, London, Paris, and Berlin). I am hoping the NYC office continues to provide resources to our affiliate offices.

Song that is currently on repeat in the office: I’m not in charge of the tunes, but I definitely hear Icona Pop’s “I Love It” frequently these days.

Favorite part of your job: One of the things I really love is that no day is ever the same as the one before. I love that I get to meet the most incredible people and learn about how they are shaping our culture. I also really enjoy working with my team—especially the young writers that come in and are excited to be engaged with the world around them.

I never leave home without: My iPhone.

a person holding a cup of tea

Being a working mother is difficult, how do you achieve success in both your professional and personal lives: Well, I think it’s important to really check out when you are checked out. I try my hardest to not be on my phone ever during meals and very rarely check it on the weekends… Instagram is my weakness.

My morning routine goes like: I spend most mornings with my husband and son. We are fortunate in that sense; we both don’t have time clocks to check into. We eat breakfast and check up on emails and the news until 9-10 a.m. – ish at our kitchen table and then all go off our separate ways. I’ve come to love our mornings together, which will undoubtedly change when our kids have to head off to school. I try to do meetings starting at 10 a.m. or later so I can savor the time spent at home, and also so I can catch up on anything time sensitive with our editors.

If you could travel back in time to a party (real or fictional) where would you choose to go: With all of the hype surrounding The Great Gatsby, I think it’s fair to say the parties of the Fitzgerald era would be grand to attend. I’d also love to hang out in Paris in the 1920s or NYC in the 1980s. Era’s when parties seemed to be less about promoting some sort of brand and rawer.

An ideal weekend in the Hamptons looks like: Waking up early, reading the actual physical paper outside with coffee, taking a long walk on the beach with my husband and son, having lunch outdoors, a game of tennis, a nap, and dinner with friends. Then early to bed with a great book.

Cocktail of choice: Wine.

Large parties or small get-togethers: Small get-togethers.

Best family outing in NYC: A museum or afternoon walking around the West Side Highway.

coco chanel perfume collection on vanity table

Best piece of advice ever received: Live fast cause it doesn’t last.

My mentor: I have many, I try to collect mentors as they really have been beneficial to me. Lately, I’ve been surrounding myself with incredibly successful women that are beyond inspiring, also my husband and my dad.

In 10 years… : I hope I’m engaged with the world and continuing to work at something I love that doesn’t feel like work. I also hope my family continues to inspire each other to be the best selves we can be.

Career wisdom for young professional women: Find something to do for your work that you truly love to do… something that gets you excited to get out of bed. I think this is the key to life in general. Then do everything in your power to make that thing a possibility for your career.

Rachelle is a mentor on Levo; if you have questions about being a new media entrepreneur, managing a team, and/or balancing your social life in New York with family obligations- she’s your go-to gal.

Say hi to Rachelle and Guest of a Guest on Twitter.

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