Community Highlights: Meet David Austin of FREEFLOW COLLECTIVE

Today we’d like to introduce you to David Austin.

Hi David Austin, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
From a young age, I grew up with heavy social anxiety and felt lost within my sense of community. After getting my first job, I purchased a heat press to make shirts for fun. Little did I know I’d found the gateway to creating a “brand.” From the age of 16, I found a fond passion for directing, creating, and promoting mental health. As I got older, I gained interest in music, wellness, and simply gravitated toward experiences that brought people together. Working in and attending events in my early twenties, I saw a huge disconnect: people going out but sticking to their own circles. Today, I host events with 150+ attendees, built on the intention to meet new people through live music, wellness-focused themes, and simply a space to exist after the work week. In a lot of ways, these events are healing the younger version of myself who struggled to find community, all while uplifting local small businesses and third spaces across the LA and San Diego areas.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely not a smooth road. FREEFLOW has evolved a lot, starting as a clothing brand, shifting into a run club, and now growing into a community focused brand built around music, self-development, and connection. Running this on a small team while working two jobs on top of it hasn’t made things easier. But I have a deep love and passion for this brand. Seeing people form long term friendships and watching the smiles on their faces at our events is what will always sustain me.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about FREEFLOW COLLECTIVE?
Freeflow Collective is a brand that uplifts intentional connection within events, having our main purpose to bring people together through music and deep conversation. We are a wellness based community brand at heart, so each month we have an event series called “Freeflow Sessions” that creates experiences on themes aimed go deeper in connection and introspection.

What I’m most proud of, brand wise, is the genuine approach we take within our experiences. Every guest is approached with a smile and is told that you are open to remain as you are, and “flow” within the space. Whether you came to enjoy the live jazz, meet someone new, or simply journal in the corner, you aren’t forced to do anything. It has also been amazing watching the brand evolve organically. It started as a clothing brand, grew into a run club, and has now become a full community brand rooted in music, self-development, and connection.

We’re known for creating a third space that feels different from a typical night out. Just live music, wellness activities spread across the room, and a space to actually talk to people.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I think within the next 5-10 years, our industry is going to be craving more and more of these in-person experiences. With the rise of AI and chronic phone usage, we know everyone is in constant search of human connection.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freeflowcollective/

Image Credits
Evan Wu
Megan Hirao