I Launched a Social Club and Sold Out Our First Event

Yes, I launched a social club and sold out our first event.

Back in January 2025, I started Butter Garden, a self-growth social club, with one of my closest friends, Linda. After coming back from a month-long visit to Toronto, I found myself reminiscing about how easy it was to connect with people there. Creatives were open, supportive, and enthusiastic about building a social scene. Coming back to Vancouver, though, I couldn't shake the disappointment — why does this city feel so introverted and lacking when it comes to creative spaces? Aside from underground raves, there’s not much that's wholesome or interesting for young people. Linda and I knew we had to change that. We saw an opportunity to connect people from all walks of life — artists, photographers, writers, and beyond — and build something more meaningful.

We chose the name Butter Garden, a visceral title that symbolizes nourishment and growth. And while we dove into big ideas, from grand events to personalized merch, we didn’t have a clear vision for our first event. I thought it would be as simple as throwing a dinner party, something I’m adept in. I took the lead on planning and logistics, and our first event was sending letters to yourself in 6 months. I created an itinerary, budget, and gathered all the materials we would need. We aimed for an intimate crowd of 20 people, but when we saw the costs of materials rise, I was nervous. What if we didn’t break even?

Then came the ticket sales, and I became even more nervous. The first week was rough; barely 10% sold and I couldn’t stop myself from worrying. In those moments of doubt, I found myself pushing through, learning to trust my instincts and adapt quickly. It was a valuable lesson in resilience and leadership. I realized that the slow ticket sales might be due to a lack of urgency or awareness about the event’s value, so I decided to lean into a scarcity mindset and started posting that our tickets were selling out. (Technically, they were selling out, but very very slowly. ) I learned how to manage financial risks: I switched our profit model from a standard ticket sale to a sliding ticket sale, in case others wanted to donate extra to support us. Tickets flew off the shelves and we sold out in three days, to the point that people began messaging us for extras. I saw that we were no longer in the danger zone with our financial investments, and that’s when I finally let myself feel the excitement.

Our first event was incredible, more than I hoped for. After weeks of silence, I still couldn't believe it: We sold out our very first event. I was moved by the support of friends and strangers. It really solidified my ability to bring people together, and I was proud of how Linda and I adapted to our challenges. This project affirmed that I thrive when I’m connecting people and creating experiences that foster growth and connection. It also taught me the value of taking risks, adjusting quickly to feedback, and thinking on my feet. I'm incredibly excited to use these lessons to create meaningful relationships and experiences, and lead new projects both in my personal and professional projects.