New York City, a vibrant metropolis known for its bustling streets and diverse inhabitants, offers an unparalleled opportunity for engaging people from all walks of life. Although this concrete jungle is not exactly known for its warm, smiling faces, the Local Influencer Tour decided to brave the streets of Manhattan.
The concept: Approach completely random strangers, engage them in conversation, ask some questions, and then give away products from nine absolutely killer brands. After all, 'tis the season for giving... right?
As it just so happens, it was much more difficult to engage residents in conversation than we anticipated. Everything from tunnel vision to the frequent, "Not interested," before we had barely uttered the word "Hello," seemed to thwart us at every turn.
Thank goodness for tourists.
Let's take a look at all the amazing brands we brought with us on the tour. Visit their Instagram profiles to scope the content generated by LIT!
GenX Refined - where Jiu-Jitsu meets Rock n' Roll! GenX Refined creates and sells one-of-a-kind apparel for those on the Jiu-Jitsu mat, as well as for anyone who simply wants to make a statement while they're at the gym or running their daily errands. Their unique graphics incorporate an urban edge with rock n' roll bands from Generation X.
While giving out GenX Refined merch, we asked New Yorkers to finish this famous Renzo Gracie quote: "My opponent is my teacher. My ____ is my enemy."
The answers we received were interesting, to say the least.
The This Little Universe collection is designed to inspire and uplift, with both witty and empowering quotes that will kick-start your day with confidence (and a laugh!). With their mixture of snarky and cute mugs, clothes, and other items, This Little Universe wanted to know one thing... "What do you think it means to protect your energy?"
Jack's Premium prides itself on creating premium-quality pet food and treats, made with sustainably sourced ingredients and zero artificial preservatives. Whether your furry friend is a cat or dog, Jack's Premium has you covered.
Of course we had to take advantage of the opportunity to show love to as many dogs as possible, so LIT scoured every corner of Central Park, giving out Jack's Premium dog treats to every pup we came across!
Talk about a unique concept! Temporary Tattooth makes (you guessed it) temporary tattoos... for your TEETH. These fun dental accessories allow you to adorn your teeth with various designs without the commitment of permanent and semi-permanent tooth gems. They're easy to apply and remove, making them perfect for parties, festivals, or simply to switch up your look.
What if you could get 100% blackout sleep, no matter the time of day? Manta Sleep Masks provide just that, with a variety of options. Silk masks, sound masks, and weighted masks are just three of the numerous options on their website. No matter which mask you choose, you're guaranteed 100% blackout.
To test this theory, we visited Times Square, where we challenged bartenders to mix cocktails while wearing a Manta Sleep Mask!
Cherchez L'amont provides luxuriously soft, eco-friendly, and ethically sourced apparel. From feather-light sweatshirts to bamboo socks, Cherchez L'amont redefines comfort, enveloping you in unimaginable softness.
Cherchez L'amont had two questions:
What is one condition that you can let go of to allow you to love yourself even more?
If there's one thing in your daily routine that you could change to help you reach your full potential, what would that be?
Macadamia Beauty provides sulfate-free, paraben-free, and cruelty-free products to promote strong, healthy hair. All their products smell fresh and fabulous and are infused with oil for silky-soft locks!
If you're looking for fun, sassy, lgbtq+ accessories and apparel, look no further than RainBee Designs. Rainbee Designs products make perfect gifts and stocking stuffers for all your sarcastic, feminist friends and family. Enter their website and bring your sense of humor - these products aren't meant for those who are easily offended.
Creations by Cherie, handmade jewelry, are delicate, intricate, and original. Each glass bead is carefully selected to create one-of-a-kind designs. The use of glass beads allows the light to reflect off the jewelry, creating a mesmerizing sparkle!
For Creations by Cherie, we stopped at a NYC Jewelry Week event and asked two questions:
What is your thought on the quote, "Jewelry introduces you before you even speak?"
Finish this sentence - "Beauty is who you are. Jewelry is simply___."
As we stated before, all LIT content can be found by scoping each brand's social media pages. This was a challenging tour, but we had a blast!
Where will the Local Influencer Tour go next..?