Chelsea Chen

Background

About Chelsea Chen

I knew exactly what I wanted to major in and exactly what I wanted to do after college. I had it all mapped out - what could go wrong? Fast forward three years after receiving my degree in hospitality at a prestigious college and working for prestigious brands around the Bay Area to a Chelsea that was so burned out, she didn't care if she quit her job without a plan and started Lyft driving (much to my parents' chagrin). The core of me was still there, the one that cares about people, who cares about making a difference for the better in this world, no matter how small. So I drove for a year, connecting with thousands of people in fleeting moments within my Honda CR-V, trying to make their journeys with me the best they could be. Along the way, I also started traveling as much as I could and documented it all on Instagram and a blog. Who knew this silly little Instagram I started would help me secure my first "corporate" job? After moving back to Pittsburgh, I (again) had no plan and started bartending while continuing to create content. I connected with a friend of a friend about a job at Niche, and suddenly I found myself sitting at a desk after having sworn I would *never* have a desk job. Fast forward 5 years later and here I am with 5+ years of social media and influencer marketing under my belt. I had no real experience nor marketing degree that got me here, but what I did have? My passion for connection, creativity, and community. Marketing isn't so different from the hospitality world (except I don't get plates thrown at me now). The heart of both is the relationship-building that's so crucial for success. It's all about creating authentic connections and memorable experiences - providing "surprise and delight" moments for users and guests alike. As a creator and someone that manages creators and content, I am driven to make an impact with each social post, influencer collaboration, and marketing campaign. It's not an exaggeration to say that I truly love what I do, and I'm grateful every day.