Celebrating One Year of Authentic Conversations: ‘Gut Instinct Media’ Turns One
By Stella Violet
Designed by Axel Tamayo
It’s Gut Instinct’s first anniversary, time to celebrate!
One year ago, Natalie reached out to me, asking if I wanted to be involved in an idea she had. Little did I know that one year later that idea would expand into 20 dedicated writers, two graphic designers and a lifelong friendship with a girl I met on the internet.
The Beginning: How Two Internet Strangers Became Co-Founders
I’ve always been one to spot a cool girl on the internet, and Natalie was most definitely one of them. I saw a video she posted, I commented and followed, and honestly that was the beginning of our online friendship.
We’d comment on each other's videos and soon after, connected over shared interests and our love for creating, which helped cultivate an authentic friendship via the internet.
One day, Natalie asked if I’d be interested in writing about her idea of ‘Gut Instinct’ in its original form. I agreed almost immediately, as I had just started posting my own writings and saw Gut Instinct as a way to really push myself to share my thoughts with the world.
Fast forward a few months and we were up and running, I’d think of anything and everything that inspired me, and just write it all down.
I remember going to parties, taking my dog for a walk or sharing a meal with my mom and just writing down anything that stuck out to me or anything that life made me feel.
For the first time in my life I felt truly alive, like I was beginning to understand what my purpose was. And, it didn’t matter how many people were reading, it just mattered that I believed in myself enough to publish my work.
However, we began to gain an audience and people began to share their feelings about Gut Instinct and how the articles made them feel. Girls were expressing their admiration, asking me for advice and telling me that my articles made them cry.
Now, every time I feel down or discouraged, I’ll go back and reread little comments people have sent me in a folder I keep in my notes app. Then, I pick myself up and realize that what we all do here is making an impact on others.
Building a Team with Heart
In just one year, the company has grown from a duo to a dedicated team of writers, graphic designers, and creatives. The same passion and authenticity ‘Gut Instinct’ was founded with, resonated with others who have helped build what the company is today.
Hiring has never been about finding people with just the right skills – it has been about finding people with the right spirit. And, I can proudly say, that is what each and every one of our team members have.
Over the summer, we had hundreds of submissions to become a part of our team, that feeling was surreal. I couldn’t wrap my mind around the idea of so many people believing in the vision we had helped become a reality.
Today, we have so many diverse voices and a platform where they can feel safe to share their unique perspectives and energy to the company’s content.
Thank you to our wonderful team of writers and graphic designers, for keeping journalism alive through culture, vulnerability, truth and a drive to connect with readers on a deeper level.
Image Sourced Through Pinterest
Connecting Online and In-Person
Despite its origins on the internet, Gut Instinct’s impact goes far beyond the digital sphere. This summer, we were so grateful to host our first ever in-person event, bringing the Phoenix community together.
Natalie and I were able to work with local clothing vendors and musicians, which allowed us to invite community members to celebrate small businesses, engage with members of our team, and learn more about our company’s mission.
Milestones and Challenges Along the Way
Starting a media company from scratch is no small feat, and we have learned to navigate our fair share of challenges. From the inevitable growing pains of managing a team to the ever-present demand to produce fresh, compelling content.
Each hurdle has been met with determination and a commitment to the vision we could both see so clearly in our minds. Maintaining a unique voice, choosing how to create a visually appealing platform and learning how to stand out in a crowded media landscape has been no walk in the park.
However, Natalie has always found a way and taught me a lot about what it means to be resilient and fearless. Together, we have learned a lot about what it means to run a company, network with others, and balance work (and school) on top of it.
Some of my proudest milestones:
Growing an audience that values authenticity
Building a brand that people associate with trust, honesty, and community
Working alongside passionate and talented individuals
Creating an in-person event with an impact on its community
Looking to the Future: What’s Next?
As we celebrate this one-year milestone, Natalie and I are already setting our sights on the future. We plan to expand our content, host new in-person and digital events, and continue to foster a culture of inclusivity and realness.
Our goal has always been to be a platform for readers seeking a break from the noise of mainstream media – a place to connect, learn and feel seen.
One final thought as I reflect on this past year, being a part of this company has been the most challenging yet rewarding experience. It’s taught me that people are craving real connections and meaningful conversations.
I am so grateful to be able to be a part of a company that can provide a space where that can happen.
A Final Thank You to the Community
To everyone who’s read an article, attended an event or engaged with the content we produce in any way, the team extends their deepest thanks. The support and feedback have been essential in shaping the company into what it is today.
Here’s to another year of growth, impact, and most importantly, real conversations.
All my love,
Stella
