Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Emmie Nostitz of Austin

We recently had the chance to connect with Emmie Nostitz and have shared our conversation below.

Good morning Emmie, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: Who are you learning from right now?
I have gotten very into podcasts as of late and learning a ton from them. I am currently listening to Boomtown about the oil industry in West Texas. I try and go to the gym every day or on a walk and dedicate that time to listening to a new podcast. I have realized there is so much information out in the world most of which is not quality information. I want to enrich my life and the lives of those around me, so I am consuming as much as I can via all types of podcasts.

I also am very interested in Podcasts as a medium to promote and champion our brand, Tivity. By listing to all types I am learning so much about how I want to continue to shape our brand and where we want to take it as we book more Chefs across the country.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Emmie Nostitz. I grew up in North Carolina and went to the University of Colorado at Boulder. It was there that I feel in love with advertising. After college I worked in advertising as a Creative for 15 years mostly in NYC. During the pandemic I was searching for something new and a way to get out of NYC, and that was when I started Tivity, the premier service to Book a Chef anywhere with my business partner, Zach.

At Tivity we book and represent Chefs for private dinners, personal occasions, and corporate events across the country. With the largest network of top level Chefs in the US, Tivity has the solution for any occasion.

We connect Chefs and Clients to create one-of-a-kind meal experiences in your home or wherever you choose, transforming any space into the ‘hottest’ table in town.

All events start with the Chef and menu, but at Tivity we believe hosting does not stop there. Our operations team can help you plan the entire event, from florals to decor ensuring a top level experience.

At Tivity we take the hassle out of hosting. Our team will match you with the perfect Chef for any occasion – allowing you to sit back and enjoy a custom menu from a top Chef in your area without having to cook or clean.

We are in a major growth mode so I am daily working to not only enrich the Tivity brand but also help foster its growth.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
I have been so lucky to have had many role models in my life and career, who really saw me and the potential I had even before I did. I had a few significant mentors in advertising that shaped that part of my professional career, setting me on a trajectory that ended with a bunch of very big awards in the advertising world. With each of them it was not so much about them saying “you have this or that” but rather them pushing me to do more and accomplish more. They also taught me that ‘no’ was not an answer. It has proven to be very valuable as it means that in any situation you can find a solution and exceed everyones expectations.

I have always said you should work for someone you admire and want to learn from, rather than just work for a company. It is what we are trying to build at Tivity a company made of up incredible individuals that others want to work for and with. We are a Chef first company but at the end of the day we are a team and inspire each other daily. I want Tivity to be a place that fosters and enhances growth for our Chefs, employees and clients.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
Failure. I have really worked on conquering that. The most successful people I know have all failed and have gotten back up. I for very long tried to achieve perfection – which I have no realized is not only not attainable but also not helpful for growth. It is when things fail that we all learn.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
Family and Friends

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What will you regret not doing? 
Not saying ‘yes’. Starting Tivity was one huge exercise in saying yes. And it has proven to be the greatest thing I have done professionally. We are changing the way people eat, adding another option to the mix: eat in / order in / go to a restaurant / and now have the restaurant and Chef come to you.

All too often we are too scared to say yes. We think about what others will think and what it could mean rather than listening to your own inner voice and doing what you know is right.

It is surprising that saying yes is sometimes the hardest thing to do, but always the most rewarding.

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