Meet Dominique Keel | Event Manager & Social Worker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dominique Keel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dominique, what role has risk played in your life or career?
To fully experience life and experience it to the fullest, I think risk are absolutely necessary. I don’t think playing it safe is how life is supposed to be lived. I am a firm believer that the specific things destined for each of us aren’t discovered in our comfort zones. We either learn a lesson from taking a risk or step into what was always for us. Taking risk has played a huge role in my life and career which is why I feel so passionate about it. I wouldn’t be where I am today, nonetheless in Los Angeles, without having taken a risk. I took a risk moving to LA by myself which I know a lot of people can identity with. I took a risk quitting a job a few years ago not knowing my next step. And I took a huge risk starting Greater In Gathering Co. But what I can say is, even though I was fearful walking into all of those risk, I wouldn’t have had the personal and professional growth I’ve had. I think taking risk allows us to build a type of confidence in ourselves that not much else in life can do.

What should our readers know about your business?
Greater in Gathering Co. (Gig Co.), began as speed dating but turned into a brand and community built around all things dating & relationships. We seek to hold spaces for intentional connection. Although based in Los Angeles, our goal is to connect with and connect others with individuals across the country. I always say this about Greater In Gathering Co., but what I am most proud of about this brand and community is its authenticity. At this brand’s core, we genuinely love seeing people connect & feel loved. If something on one of our social pages or something that was said at an event allowed you to build a stronger connection with yourself, we love to see it. If you met a new friend through one of the events, even better. If you found bae at one of the events, mission accomplished. The events Gig Co. hosts aren’t for us, but to see others connect, grow, and learn. So if that happens, then we did what we set out to do. I’m so excited to continue seeing Gig Co. grow and for all of the connections that lead to lasting relationships because of the spaces we create.

Building this brand and business hasn’t been easy, it’s been one of the greatest challenges I’ve ever faced. A lot of things I’m learning on the fly and unfortunately, somethings have to be learned through trial and error. But when challenges arise, I have to remind myself of my why, of the purpose behind Gig Co. Once I recenter and check myself, when I know I’m moving with love and the heart of this brand in mind, I know my team & I can overcome what’s in front of us.

I’ve learned so many lessons not only about myself but about love & connection while building this brand and business. I want the world to know that Gig Co. has a space for them. We are one big family that started because someone was blessed enough to be filled with so much love that she wanted to share it with others and wanted others to feel the love she had received. Like our name states, we are greater when we gather, we are better together than we are a part. And I want that sentiment to not only be understood but felt every single time someone encounters a Gig Co. event or content. At their core, I want them to know they are loved and needed to complete someone’s community.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
This is a hard one! One of my favorite things about Los Angeles is that there is always something to do. But if I had to name what some of my favorite days look like, I would start with getting breakfast burritos at a local Mom & Pop shop around south LA. You also can’t come to Los Angeles without going to either Randy’s or Sidecar Doughnuts so I would take them there. We would get our order to go and hit the beach with friends, lay out, play some games, ride bikes, and when it started to get cold head to dinner.

Throughout the week I would take them to game nights with friends, on a hike, to one of Gig Co.’s events, or just walk around the city. There is never a dull moment in Los Angeles, so I would spend a lot of time just exploring the city, having picnics at some of my favorite parks like LA State Historical Park, and taking lots of pictures.

Overall when someone visits, I want to give them a small glimpse into why I fell in love with this city and the people who make me feel like I can call it home.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Wow. I love this question because I believe we are nothing without the people in our community who have built us up. For me though, my life is truly a testament of “it takes a village to raise a child”. There are so many people who have loved me, poured into me, encouraged me, fought for me, corrected me, prayed for me, and so many more things. To my Gig Co. team, you all have changed the course of my life with your belief in this brand— I am forever indebted. To those who have been on the ride since the beginning with LAFZ, from the bottom of my heart thank you isn’t enough. I can’t continue to name everyone without writing a dissertation and naming them all (LOL). But if there are a few people I would dedicate this shoutout to it would be my family. My mom, Dorothy, and my brothers Isaiah and Daniel. I am nothing without them. Their love for me and the story of my life and successes can’t be told without mentioning them. So, thank you to them for always believing in me and filling me up with so much love that I have an abundance I can share with others.

Website: greateringathering.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greateringatheringco/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/greateringathering

Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/greateringather

Image Credits
Tatiana Bull Jasmine Ogunjimi (“We’re Talking” Picture)