Crushin' It with Gary Vaynerchuk

  

Judy Bronson, Tony Viviano, Gary Vaynerchuk, Angie Ortmann, Arlene and Stanley Browne, Freida Custodio

It’s been a few days now, but we’re still basking in the “Vayniac” afterglow; a friend of mine calls it a “Vayn-over.”

Thursday night, global internet sensation Gary Vaynerchuk of Wine Library TV, Cork'd, and Gourmet Library and author of the New York Times Best Seller Crush It! was in St. Louis for a stop on his book signing tour.  Dubbed "the Social Media Sommelier", Gary built his multi-million dollar business on the internet through video blogging, and social media outlets like LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

His message was simple: the Internet is here to stay and social media is the way to build your brand and business. Businesses are built by word of mouth, and connecting and interacting through social media, is the way to get your story told.

(We hear you Gary and we concur! If you haven't read the book Crush It! and you are building a business in today's world, I strongly suggest you go out and get it, NOW!)

Click here to check out Gary's speech on David Sitemen Garland's blog of Rise to the Top

While Stanley was at Robust, holding down the fort, I stood in line with fellow Vayniacs: Freida Custodio, Judy Bronson, Jayce McQuerter and Tony Viviano.  And as thrilled as were just to meet with him, get our books signed and a get a photo op, we had a mission: Get Gary to Robust.

For the past few months, weeks and more frequently the last few days we have been facebooking, tweeting, and emailing everyone we could to promote Gary in St. Louis and invite him to Robust. We even named a special wine flight in honor of him: “The Vayniac Flight”.

After his fascinating and inspiring speech, he invited everyone in the audience to drink wine with him at Robust. I yelled out the address: “227 W. Lockwood!” And he said, “You can always tell who the owner is!”

Many of the audience did join us at Robust and it was quite a night. Some of our fans and followers were part of the crew and we met lots of great new people too!

Me with Gary at the Crush It! book signing.

Judy Bronson, Tony Viviano, Gary Vaynerchuk, Arlene Maminta Browne, Jayce McQuerter, Lewis Howes, Angie Ortmann, Freida Custodio

New Robust fans: Jeff and Julie Mastroianni

Gary and Chris Reimer of Rizzo Tees

We were honored to have Gary at Robust and look forward to a return visit – anytime!

My daughter, Molly, asked me the next day, “Mommy, did you ‘crush it’ last night?
I answered, “Yes, Molly, I most certainly did!”

Gary, we will live by your words forever: “Love your family. Work super hard. Live your passion.” That's how I get through my day. Cheers!

Arlene Maminta Browne

Comments

[Freida A. Custodio]

My favorite quotes of the evening:

JUDY: "Gary V. just ate Tony's mushroom..."

GARY (looking at Robust's Pork Tenderloin):
"I get excited when I see foam..."

[Arlene Browne]

I liked the foam quote too! It was classic Gary V! I have to tell Chef Mike!

[David Siteman Garland]

Great photos and write up guys. Glad you enjoyed the video I posted :)

[Air Jordans]

Thank you for sharing it which make me more confidence on my stand.