..Number one, energy. You’ve got to have excitement and a welcoming aura. Hot & Social is always complimented on that.
Number two, intention. All attendees need to know the agenda, what to expect, what types of people to expect, how to approach them, and what they’re going to feel.
Number three, great music. Music is food for the soul. Without music, don’t even have a party.
Number four, an element of surprise. Something unexpected that you don’t tell people about, whether it’s an entertainer or someone inspiring. I’ve hired people to perform who I’ve seen in Central Park, who I love and just met the day prior. You need something different.
Number five, good people. You need good people who are on the same page and have similar values. That way, when someone comes solo and leaves with friends, they know why they’re there and that they’ll leave better than how they arrived…
I had the pleasure of talking with Liv Schreiber. Liv stands out as a beacon of in-person socialization in an era dominated by digital interactions. As the founder and CEO of “Hot and Social,” Schreiber has redefined the landscape of social events, aiming to foster genuine connections in real life (IRL) settings. Her innovative approach to social networking is not just about meeting people but about forming lasting friendships and combating loneliness in large urban environments.
Liv Schreiber’s journey to becoming a leading content creator and social innovator began with her early graduation from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Armed with a Real Estate license, she entered the bustling world of New York City real estate. However, the corporate grind left her feeling unfulfilled. Seeking solace, Schreiber turned to Instagram, where she found joy in rebranding luxury listings and sharing motivational quotes. This creative outlet not only lifted her spirits but also grew her following, making her a role model for young women entering the workforce.
Her real break came from a chance encounter with an Instagram hero who mistook her for a stylist. Seizing the opportunity, Schreiber pivoted from real estate to styling, eventually partnering with major brands like Spanx and Revolve. This serendipitous turn of events led to the creation of her marketing agency, Brand Caffeine, with her twin brother.
The inception of Hot and Social was as unplanned as it was impactful. Initially organized as a small gathering to meet new people in New York, Schreiber’s first event exceeded expectations. What started as a party for 100 people quickly evolved into a series of events aimed at bringing strangers together. Schreiber rebranded her initiative to Hot and Social, reflecting its broader mission: to create spaces where men and women could forge friendships and meaningful connections.
“Hot is a mindset,” Schreiber explains. “Showing up solo is hot. Doing something different is hot. Pushing yourself outside your comfort zone is hot.” This philosophy resonates with attendees, many of whom arrive alone and leave with new friends.
One of Hot and Social’s flagship events is “Camp Social,” an overnight camp for women in their 20s to 40s. Held in the Poconos, this event sold out in just 25 minutes, attracting over 400 attendees. The camp offers a weekend of activities designed to foster deep connections among women from diverse backgrounds.
Another popular event is the free coffee meet-up at Chelsea Piers’ Bluestone Lane, held on the first Friday of every month. With over 400 participants, this event supports SCOPE, a charity providing summer camp opportunities for children from low-income families.
Schreiber also collaborates with Break The Love to host open play pickleball sessions in NYC, inclusive of all skill levels. Her collaboration with MGM for a Challengers-themed pickleball event underscores the growing popularity of this sport.
Additionally, the “Hot & Girl Dinner” series brings together women for a meal and a night out, sponsored by brands like Bubble and Hampton Water. These dinners not only offer networking opportunities but also build a sense of community among participants.
A central mission of Hot and Social is to combat the growing loneliness epidemic. Schreiber cites statistics indicating that one in four adults feel lonely, a figure likely higher among younger demographics due to the isolating effects of social media. “I’m all about utilizing social media to connect in real life,” she emphasizes, advocating for more face-to-face interactions.
To cater to diverse social preferences, Schreiber is expanding her event offerings. This June, she is launching beginner and intermediate tennis classes, providing a smaller, more intimate setting for people to learn a new sport and meet new friends.
Looking ahead, Schreiber envisions expanding Hot and Social to other cities by 2025. Her ultimate goal is to create one million friendships through her events, significantly reducing loneliness and fostering a sense of community in large urban centers.
Schreiber’s impact extends beyond mere social gatherings; she is nurturing a movement that values real-life connections in an increasingly digital world. Through Hot and Social, Liv Schreiber is proving that in-person interactions are not just possible but essential for building a supportive and connected society.
Yitzi: So Liv, before we dive in deep, our readers would love to learn about your personal origin story. Can you share a story of your childhood and how you grew up?
Liv: Yes, I grew up in New Jersey with a twin brother and three pet goats, and two very entrepreneurial parents who encouraged us to always invent things at the dinner table. I grew up in nature with parents who always made my life more about how I treat other people, being kind, being smart, and being athletic, rather than focusing on looks. I feel like that has made me very aware of how other people feel and has influenced my relationships and communication as an adult.
Yitzi: That’s amazing. So, can you share a story of what led you to start Hot & Social? How did that develop?
Liv: I started Hot & Social originally not as a business. I’m very business-minded, but this was not something I had planned. I wanted to meet new people in New York and didn’t know how, so I decided to throw a party for about 100 people. I didn’t think anyone would show up. I barely drink, so I didn’t know what I was doing, but people came. I invited my followers, which was about 20,000 to 30,000 at the time. I called it Hot & Single because my twin brother was single and I wanted to find him a sister-in-law. I didn’t find a sister-in-law, but I realized a lot of people want to connect and get out of their bubbles but don’t know how. So, I renamed it Hot & Social for guys and girls to make friends, because I realized that’s the foundation of everything. I kept doing it, and now we’re launching movies and working with big brands a year and a half later. I can’t even believe it. It was purely accidental.
Yitzi: Is the “hot” in Hot & Social meant for people who self-identify as hot to participate?
Liv: That’s a question I get a lot. Hot is a mindset. Showing up solo is hot for me. Doing something different is hot. So, if you’re doing something new and pushing yourself outside your comfort zone, that’s hot. That’s where the term “hot” comes from.
Yitzi: You probably have some amazing stories since you started this, some amazing connections you’ve helped facilitate. Can you share one or two of your favorite stories, either behind the scenes or because of the events?
Liv: Yes, I would say one of my favorite stories is about two of my original Hot & Social attendees, two guys, who started a band together just from their friendship. They’ve become best friends and now perform around New York City. I have yet to go to one of their concerts, but I have to go. That’s probably one of my favorite guy friendship stories because it’s really difficult for guys to meet new guy friends without feeling out of their comfort zone.
Another favorite story is about some camp friends from Hot & Social. There’s a group of girls from Chicago, Boston, Arkansas, and New York who meet up and travel the country together. They’ve become best friends from their experience at Camp Social. It’s very special.
Yitzi: It’s been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Do you have a story about a humorous mistake you made when you were first starting and the lesson you learned from it?
Liv: Yes. My website crashed while I was selling tickets to a big 400-person white party last summer. I felt terrible because some people were checking out and others didn’t get tickets. So, I raced to a nearby coffee shop and begged them to let me buy coffee for everyone the next morning to make up for the website crash. They agreed, and I called it “Hot and Happy Morning.” Everyone came before work, and I bought their coffee. I realized that people were having as much fun at 8:30 a.m. as they do at 11:30 p.m. at our parties. So, I decided to do it again.
Now we offer Free Coffee Fridays on the first Friday of every month. We’ve partnered with Bluestone Lane and have almost 600 attendees each month for free morning coffee. I never would have done that if it hadn’t been for that accident and mistake that I had to make up for.
Yitzi: None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person that you feel opened a door for you or helped you reach the next level?
Liv: Yes. Her name is Alyse Kobin. She’s a family friend I met at the lake last summer while swimming. She worked for movie studios and encouraged me to see this in a bigger way than I ever would have on my own. She opened my eyes to the potential of collaborating on movie launches. Since then, we’ve helped launch “Barbie” and “Challengers,” and we’re talking to other movie studios as well. Partnering with Warner Brothers and MGM Studios was never something I had even considered, but her encouragement to think really big showed me there’s so much opportunity for partnership in this space.
Yitzi: You have done so much impressive work. Can you share with the readers the exciting things that are coming next? What are you working on now?
Liv: You’re such a great interviewer. You’re so good at this. (Laughs) I would say Camp Social, from August 23rd to the 25th, is what I’m really looking forward to. It’s sold out with 450 women in attendance from almost every state and four countries. For those who didn’t get a ticket, we’re working on a winter camp, which I’ve never done before. Everything I do is always based on the requests of my consumers and my audience. I use the FIO strategy — figure it out strategy. So, I’m excited for winter camp and to announce those details soon.
Yitzi: I read that part of your goal is to help address the loneliness crisis. So, first of all, let’s define it. What exactly do you mean by a loneliness crisis, and how do you think you’re helping to solve it?
Liv: One in four adults report feeling lonely, and I think those percentages are actually quite higher among people in their 20s to 40s because of social media. It’s very ironic since social media is supposed to connect us. So, I’m all about utilizing social media to connect in real life, putting the screens and phones down — unless you’re taking a picture with your new friend.
I’ve launched different events for different types of people because I know not everyone wants to come to a night party or camp, or a girl dinner for 50 people, or a pickleball league. I’m excited because we’re launching a tennis league with beginner and intermediate tennis courses for under 10 people at a time. They can learn a new sport or continue a sport and use it as a way to meet people. I’m excited to be launching those tennis classes in June.
Yitzi: Running so many events and such an active organization must be very demanding. Can you share with our readers some of your self-care routines that help your mind, heart, and body thrive?
Liv: I love that. You know, I’m into the woo-woo stuff. I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease about two years ago, actually, when I started Hot & Social. So, I am all about energy. I recently did a Reiki session that I think was really helpful. If anyone reading is struggling with an autoimmune condition or is interested in energy work, that’s a new favorite of mine.
On a daily basis, I really believe in micro-interactions. I’m fueled by my interactions with strangers and the people around me. When I’m not around them, I get depressed and sad. So, I know that in order to charge my own batteries, I have to be out and about. I have to be in coffee shops and meeting new people.
My best advice for self-care is to understand what makes you happy and try to do that. It’s a personalized approach. It’s not about a certain food or a specific workout studio. It’s really about paying attention to the things that make you happy, which usually involves making other people happy.
Yitzi: OK, so this is our signature question. This is what we ask in all of our interviews. You’ve been blessed with a lot of success. Can you share with our readers five things you need to create a very successful live event?
Liv: Number one, energy. You’ve got to have excitement and a welcoming aura. Hot & Social is always complimented on that.
Number two, intention. All attendees need to know the agenda, what to expect, what types of people to expect, how to approach them, and what they’re going to feel.
Number three, great music. Music is food for the soul. Without music, don’t even have a party.
Number four, an element of surprise. Something unexpected that you don’t tell people about, whether it’s an entertainer or someone inspiring. I’ve hired people to perform who I’ve seen in Central Park, who I love and just met the day prior. You need something different.
Number five, good people. You need good people who are on the same page and have similar values. That way, when someone comes solo and leaves with friends, they know why they’re there and that they’ll leave better than how they arrived.
Yitzi: So Liv, because of the platform you’ve created and your amazing work, you’re a person of enormous influence. If you could spread an idea or inspire a movement that would bring the most good to the most people, what would that be?
Liv: Hot & Social. That’s the movement. We’re looking to expand to other cities before 2025, so you can be on the lookout.
Yitzi: Unbelievable. One more question. This is our matchmaker question, and sometimes it works. We’re very blessed that prominent leaders in entertainment and business read this column. Is there a person in the US or the world with whom you would like to have coffee, collaborate, or have lunch with? We could tag them and maybe connect you.
Liv: You know, I’m all about reaching out to your mentors directly via DM. So, everyone I want to reach out to, I do so directly. But I say that to motivate readers to reach out to people they want to talk to. I would say probably Mark Cuban. I would love to know Mark’s take on growth. I’m a creative mind, so implementing the proper strategies and systems to have a blossoming team in new cities is what I’m most interested in.
Yitzi: How can our readers continue to follow your work and support you? How can they attend your events, learn from you, and benefit from all of your incredible energy?
Liv: I would say, follow @HotAndSocial, @CampSocial, and @LivSchreiber on social media. Most importantly, reach out to someone they’re thinking of when reading this article. Reach out to an old friend or someone they want to get coffee with. Everyone has the opportunity to improve their lives and other people’s lives every second they get. I’m grateful to exist in a time where I can connect with tons of people, and I hope to reach many more.
Yitzi: I love your inspiration. I wish you continued success, good health, and blessings. I hope we can do this again next year.
Liv: You have to come to Hot & Social. I’ve got you covered. You’re my next VIP guest.
Yitzi: I’m very honored. Thank you so much.
Liv: Thank you.
Liv Schreiber Of ‘Hot and Social’ On 5 Things You Need To Run A Highly Successfully Live Event was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.