Today we’d like to introduce you to Crystal Martinez.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
The inception of Record Store Meet Up (RSMU) started in 2022, after attending several Indy Bookstore Field Trips hosted by Bel Canto Books.
After being a recluse during Covid, I was looking for a reason to get out of the house and meet new people in a way that wasn’t too intimidating. Combining an environment I felt safe in (book stores) and the opportunity to meet people sounded like the best route for an introvert like me. And I’m so glad I went! I ended up meeting so many great people that have become some of the most cherished people in my life now.
Because of the success of attending the Bookstore Field Trips, I tried looking for more similar events. In 2022, there really weren’t that many that I was finding. So I spoke to Jhoanna of Bel Canto Books and got her blessing and some tips to start a version of the meetup group but in an environment that I loved and wanted to get back into, Record Stores!
The success of Record Store Meet Up is 100% due to the loving, caring, supportive friends in my life who encouraged me from the start. This group is nothing without everyone who believed in the idea of creating community, supporting local businesses, and those who show up time and again to the meetups.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
A struggle was learning how to run events. It was all very much learn as I went along to see what worked best for RSMU.
Another (probably BIGGER) struggle is that I am, again, an introvert, so reaching out to stores and new people was very intimidating. Thankfully the record store businesses and record community as a whole has been some of the nicest, understanding, welcoming people around. I’ve only gotten support, kindness, and patience from everyone and it has encouraged me to keep going.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My career is as a graphic designer/art director, focusing on digital design, branding, and social content. So creating the branding for Record Store Meet Up was most definitely the easiest part of starting the group since.
I use my background to help me shape posts that stay clear, consistent, and aligned with what people respond to.
Both my work as a designer and Record Store Meet Up share the same goal of creating something people enjoy and want to participate in.
How do you think about happiness?
Seeing people connect and make friends makes me happy. Seeing people post on social media that they are going to an event or hanging out with someone they met through Record Store Meet Up is exactly the reason I keep fighting against my introvert nature and continue hosting meetups. It shows the community is real. Moments like that show why the group matters and that makes me happy.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/recordstoremeetup
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/recordstoremeetup/
- Other: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/record-store-meet-up-55091589403
Image Credits
Photos by Crystal Mar
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