We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Emmie Nostitz a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Emmie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Your ability to build a team is often a key determinant of your success as a business owner and so we’d love to get a conversation going with successful entrepreneurs like yourself around what your recruiting process was like -especially early on. How did you build your team?

When Zach and I founded Tivity in 2021, it was just the two of us, driven by a simple goal: to build the largest network of private Chefs and book them for private events at homes across the country. We simply wanted to make booking Chefs seamless. In the early days, we did it all—accounting, booking, PR, and even giving each other pep talks when things got tough. Looking back, those hands-on experiences were invaluable. We not only learned where and how we wanted to grow but also gained a deep understanding of every role within Tivity. We were a true team, and that spirit has been the driving force behind our success.

After about a year, as demand for dinners and events grew, we realized it was time to bring on an operations manager. Zach tapped into his restaurant network, and the process unfolded naturally. We’ve been incredibly fortunate that everyone who works with us now, came to us because they wanted to be a part of Tivity. Everyone on our team has a voice. We’re building a company where ideas come from all levels, and they should. While Zach and I may lead, we firmly believe the best ideas emerge through collaboration.

Looking back, being hands-on from the start was one of the best things we could have done, and in many ways, we still are. We love this company and deeply believe in it. While Tivity continues to evolve, our core principle remains the same: putting Chefs first—just as we have since day one.

Emmie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

During my freshman year at the University of Colorado, I took a communications class that changed everything. My professor spoke about advertising and brand building, and I was instantly captivated. I knew right then that I wanted to create, build, and make brands famous. From that moment on, I was certain my future was in advertising. It was in a lecture hall in Boulder that my journey in brand building and creative work truly began.

My first job was an internship that I ‘won’ by bidding on it at a silent auction in Chicago. It’s funny to think about now—I can only imagine the head of HR’s reaction when I called to claim my seat in the creative department. But that was my start.

After returning to school, I met people who would shape my career in ways I never expected. Some put me up for jobs across the country, others became lifelong creative partners, and a few became mentors who guided me through the ups and downs of the industry. A couple of years later, I found myself in NYC at one of the hottest new advertising agencies, working on my first assignment for Google. I couldn’t believe it. From there, I went on to win some of the most prestigious awards in advertising, including the first-ever Mobile Grand Prix at the Cannes Lions Festival. I dove headfirst into the work, often at the expense of sleep. I moved around a bit, until I got the call to interview at the best advertising agency in the world. I jumped at the chance, got the job, and kept working—advertising became my life. I won more awards and earned recognition, including being named a top female creative at the 3% Conference.

Then it all came to a halt. I was let go due to budget cuts and restructuring, and it devastated me. I felt lost, but I knew I still wanted to build brands. Eventually, I picked myself up and landed another job. But after a while, I grew tired of working on brands I didn’t connect with—brands that weren’t making a positive impact.

Then COVID hit, and everything changed. I moved to Aspen to ski, leaving New York for good, though I didn’t know it at the time. It was during that time in Aspen when my best friend and her husband Zach (now my business partner) came to visit, and the idea for Tivity was born. Zach, with his background in the restaurant industry, had an idea to create the Uber for Chefs. We talked about it casually that weekend, but it wasn’t until Zach booked a Chef for a client’s dinner on a gondola in Aspen that I saw the potential spark of what would eventually become Tivity.

For months, Zach and I kept talking about the idea—texting, brainstorming, and slowly shaping it. During one of those conversations, we came up with the name Tivity. I built the website, designed the logo, and we kept refining the vision. In September 2021, Zach called me and said, “I’m doing this. I want to represent Chefs and connect them with clients. You can have half, you can move to Austin, or you can have nothing to do with it—it’s up to you, but I’m moving forward, and I hope you’ll join me.” The next week, I was on a plane to Austin.

In those first two months, Zach and I laid the foundation for the company. We built org charts, wrote a mission statement, and set goals. It was during that time that I found my place in Austin and realized we were building something truly special. It was also when I knew my long-held dream was finally becoming a reality—I was going to build a brand I could be proud of, advertise it my own way, and work alongside someone who shared my values. That dream is now called Tivity.

Today, my role is to help foster and grow the brand. I ensure that we stay relevant and that people know who we are. It’s the best job I’ve ever had because I get to talk about a company I helped create and believe in deeply.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

We’ve always tried to keep our social media fun, visually appealing, and relevant without taking ourselves too seriously. A huge part of our success has been collaborating with our Chefs on posts. We believe in amplifying their voices, and tapping into their audiences has been incredibly beneficial for growing ours.

Having a consistent posting schedule has also been key. Consistency builds trust with your audience, and it keeps you top of mind. We capture as much content as possible at our dinners and events because authenticity is a non-negotiable for us. You’ll never see stock photos or borrowed images on our feed—everything is real and from us.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Dinners.

When you Book a Chef through Tivity, you experience firsthand how unique and special it is. Our clients keep coming back because from their first interaction with us, they can feel the difference. Our Chefs and services stand out, and that creates a loyal, repeat clientele.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.theTivity.com
• Instagram: @the_Tivity
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thetivity
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thetivity/

Image Credits

all images labeled with photographers names.

Lemon Woman Photography
Jenna Mcelroy
Megan Bucknall