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

Hi Kristen, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I learned how to play many strategy games as a child. My father loved to challenge my brothers and me to think strategically. We used to play a game called, “Risk.” I started playing when I was 5. I also learned how to play poker around the same time from my grandfather and father. I really believe that their teaching me to take strategic risks through games allowed me to become the risk-taker I am today. Having a career in promoting goods and services plus working on designs for early market products I have had the pleasure of learning about various ways to get business done. Having such a diverse network of contacts spread across many industries and roles has been enriching. I applied these principles when I worked on a project called AvidXchange, where we helped create one of the largest networks for payments for business-to-business transactions. In the early days of taking on new markets with CEO Michael Praeger, and later as a strategic leader, you have to be willing to take risks backed up by action and partnership. We created that network with the teams and various partners which required building trust amongst groups. Later, after unexpected events, I left the organization to pursue my health victory and founded my own organizations, Thomasino Media LLC and Buddytown Consulting LLC. I took a risk after having severe illness and injury betting on myself. I bet I could overcome and find my way out of extreme pain and suffering from Fibromyalgia and restore my capabilities. Then, I took a risk when my form improved to start these businesses to make an impact for Social Good. Why not try to create a Social Good Movement, I thought. So that’s where I am today, focused on various ways to influence our communities for social good.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Buddytown is exciting because it is all about networking and connecting to the right people. Projects that we have collaboration with others are important for our continued economic growth initiatives. I love consulting with my organization to help in various industries and topics. I have different think tanks that I have created to get feedback from multiple parties, which influenced my design decisions on our application called “Buddytown” available on Android and Apple. Integrated into Buddytown is also a new market study I designed called ” The Social Good Experiment.” I created this based on my own experiences as a data scientist. I looked at various ways to think about my day as I found my way out of severe illness and injury. There were certain things that I did or didn’t do that would impact my quality of life. Over the last few years, the challenges in our communities relating to health inspired me to think about how I could do something to get people to think differently about their day to day. I had many influencers and positive thinkers in my journey that were impactful at times, so why not connect others to them, too? They have connections to great organizations that are focused on creating positive outcomes. Buddytown has integrated into Thomasino Media content to help spread awareness about social good. The Social Good Magazine Show can be accessed now on Android and Apple via Buddytown. This is important for our overall strategy to reach as many people as possible.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love Los Angeles because of the abundance of experiences to be had. First, we would start by enjoying some of the nature and go for a drive in Rolling Hills and Rancho Palos Verdes along the coast. The rolling hills and views of the Pacific Ocean are just stunning. We would stop off at the Yellow Vase for some great French food. I love the Crepes there, the donuts are excellent, too, and I love the omelets for healthy eating. Everything is fresh, and the bakery, if you are going to have a treat, is out of this world. I love to get their hot green tea matcha with almond milk. After getting filled with great food, we would hike around the Friendship Bell in San Pedro and enjoy the views. You can’t miss White Point Beach and Royal Palms Beach sunsets. It’s stunning, and every day is like a new painting out here—a great place to picnic and bring your dog.

After having a more chill day, we would get into the sounds and sights of Venice Beach and Santa Monica. Walk down the historic boardwalk and hit the bags at Muscle Beach in Venice Beach. I love seeing all the vendors on the path, and now that many tourists have returned, it’s fantastic to find a spot and listen to some local talent play. Then, we would head down to Santa Monica on the boardwalk and stop off on Main Street to grab some food and check out the shopping. There are all kinds of stores on Main Street. I love stopping into Lula Cucina on Main Street and eating other amazing carnitas. After that, it’s perfect to hit up the Promenade to see what great deals and new looks the more prominent brands have. When the shopping is done, I love to head down to the pier, walk around, and check out the vendors. This is another spectacular spot to catch the sunset, and if you are inclined, you can ride the Ferris wheel.

I like all kinds of music and to dance. Los Angeles is a paradise for that. I enjoy West Hollywood and Hollywood for a night out on the town. We would stroll around to see all the exciting people who love coming out decked out in various styles and fashions. There are many planned parties by the different producers in the area, like DJ Leslie Ortiz, where you can see some fantastic dancers and engage in a safe community. Celebrities like Rose Garcia from the Real L Word series often host these events for women to have safe spaces to dance. The parties can be pretty fun. The ladies try to come out and be themselves by wearing various fashions. The hairstyles are all over the map. I love seeing women embrace their power and confidence through self-expression.

You can’t leave town without visiting Topanga and Malibu for the views. You get to immerse yourself in nature again with the 20+ miles of beautiful Pacific coastline. It’s always great to stop off at the parks along the way to just take a breather and be at peace. Hiking is fantastic at the park at Corral Canyon. There are lots of great spots to grab a bite to eat. The seafood is excellent in the area, especially at Bob’s Paradise Cove. Be sure to be super hungry. The plates are meant for sharing. The views are for smiling. Los Angeles also has many excellent museums like the Getty Museum and the Getty Villa. While you are out that way, buy a ticket to the Getty Villa. It’s worth the ticket price; the grounds and collection are stunning.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My journey has been filled with people cheering me on from many areas of the world. I am so blessed to have connected with so many people interested in social good on all the channels I connect with others for outreach.

My family has always been incredibly supportive. My parents are excellent examples of loving a child with unexpected events. My brothers and cousins were all very supportive. My eldest brother was very supportive and helped research solutions when I had severe brain fog and pain.

When I was very ill and in high states of pain, I had an online solid community that surrounded me with love and positivity when I suffered from severe fibromyalgia and severe brain fog during my rehabilitation. That online community was made up of family, childhood friends, my 3rd-grade teacher, other educators in my life, mentors, colleagues, healthcare professionals who joined my health team, friends from North Carolina, where I lived before California, and new friends that I met along the way.

I have connected with many great contacts through the Chamber of Commerce initiatives and am always grateful for recent connections that have helped me with my brands for social good. The Social Good Magazine Series has been supported by so many phenomenal contacts who have participated in sharing their stories for social good, like Marie Lemelle, Dr. E. Lance McCarthy, Raffles van Exel of Artists for Global Unity that created the song “Why, Oh Why”, Rose Garcia, DJ Leslie Ortiz, Mike Howren, Kristal Kent, Olga Rechdouni, Sgt Brian Alvarado, Rocio Alvarado, Norman Lawler, Robert Reynolds, Magda Ballestro Mayo, Ezquiel de Anda, Oath to Country Foundation, Wil Gauper, Jamie Ranzan, Dr. Tatum Robinson, Dr. Charles Withers II, Dr. Joseph Chipman,  Latisha Williams, and various others.

I have been lucky to find some exceptional talent supporting my initiatives, like the Artists for Global Unity including Raffles van Exel, Emilio Estefan, Michael Narada Walden, CeeLo Green, French Montana, Kenny Lattimore, Fantasia Barrino, and Emily Estefan. Also, singer Jonathan P. Fairchild sang at my 1st event in Los Angeles for Social Good, where I released the Social Good Magazine Volume 2.
Veterans and advocates for veterans I am very thankful for their influence and service.  Soldiers of America showed up to my release party event, which solidified that many amazing people are willing to work together for social good. The Veteran Voices for Fibromyalgia team #teamfibro has been phenomenal this year, working on initiatives to spread awareness about Fibromyalgia. The good work of advocacy groups at the VA Hospital inspired me to create a national independent study of Veterans Goods and Services access through Buddytown.  I am also very grateful for my outreach teams working on finding more people wanting to tell their stories for Social Good.
Many as you can see have been a positive influence in my life and I am so grateful for all the supporters of social good.

Website: https://www.kristenthomasino.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-thomasino-91776b4/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100078322816516

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@socialgoodmagazine?si=yweGQllyIW5EEpvU

Other: https://www.buddytown.com https://www.socialgoodmagazine.com https://www.thomasinomedia.com https://www.socialgoodexperiment.com

Image Credits
Thomasino Media LLC Jessica Christian

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.