We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kelly Choi. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kelly below.

Kelly, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

When Maggie and I came together to create The Moonlight Collective, it felt like the natural next step for both of us. My journey began in Taiwan with Moonpark, a marketplace I launched in 2021, hoping to bring people together through shared passions. I wanted to create a real-life space where people could connect meaningfully, open up, learn from each other, and feel a genuine sense of belonging. Soon, Moonpark became a platform where locals could host classes in their neighborhoods—whether an art workshop, a baking class, or even something as unique as aerial yoga!

Fast forward to 2023, when I moved back to San Carlos, CA, eager to bring that spirit of community connection to my new home. Here, I discovered Maggie’s platform, Lovo, through a local mom’s Facebook group. She was building something incredible – a platform dedicated to intimate, private-space gatherings that she deeply craved as a new mom during COVID. Maggie had already fostered a wonderful community where people gathered for sound baths on backyard decks and learned to make pasta together in each other’s kitchens.

When we finally met in December 2023, we clicked instantly. It was clear we shared the same vision. From those early conversations, the idea of merging our efforts into The Moonlight Collective emerged, and by January 2024, we had brought it to life.

Our mission is simple yet powerful: to create a platform where neighbors can connect over shared interests and build in-person relationships within our communities. Through The Moonlight Collective, Guides offer unique, local experiences that bring people into their homes, where neighbors can explore their passions, grow together, and feel a sense of belonging. We’re here to reignite the spirit of genuine, in-person connection in a world where it’s easy to feel more connected online than in real life.

Kelly, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Maggie and I both come from the tech industry in Silicon Valley, which is surrounded by innovation. Yet, we craved something beyond technology – we wanted real human connections. Maggie, with 15 years in product and software development, brings a precise focus on user experience and technical excellence to our platform. Meanwhile, my two decades in business and marketing have equipped me with a deep understanding of market dynamics, customer needs, ecosystem building, and strategic planning.

Time is precious, and we want to spend it meaningfully – connecting, growing, and making the most of every moment. While major city hubs offer endless experiences, the suburbs, where many families live, often lack diverse options. Busy parents struggle to find fulfilling activities and communities that align with their interests, beyond the usual coffee meetups. We’re here to create spaces where people with shared passions can come together, build genuine relationships, and finally find the community they’ve been looking for.

The Moonlight Collective is a brand rooted in community, connection, and the joy of lifelong learning. We believe in the transformative power of in-person interactions, the endless pursuit of learning, and that everyone has a place to belong. At its core, Moonlight is a marketplace where Guides host unique, in-home experiences – like kimchi-making classes, watercolor workshops, and backyard sound bath meditations – inviting Explorers from the neighborhood to join them in person.

Ultimately, Moonlight connects the neighborhood, where unique experiences are less than 10 minutes away. We believe that every household has an artisan, an enthusiast, or a guide, and that we all have something valuable to share and learn from one another.

How’d you meet your business partner?

Maggie and I met through a local moms Facebook group. She had posted about a few activities being hosted in homes around San Carlos, and they instantly caught my eye. I reached out, curious to learn more, and as we began talking, it quickly became clear that while our inspirations for starting this business were different, our goals and vision aligned perfectly. We both shared a desire to create something that would bring people together and foster real connections within the community.

After that initial conversation, we met over coffee on a Monday to dive deeper into our ideas, then again on Friday to continue hashing out the details. By the end of that week, we both knew – this was what we were meant to do. And that’s how The Moonlight Collective came to life.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

We connect with our community through email, in-app notifications, and social media. This is where we tell our stories, sharing glimpses into the lives of our Guides, the journeys of our Explorers, and the unique character of our neighborhoods. Through these stories, we bring people closer, sparking connections beyond the screen and encouraging everyone to become part of something meaningful right where they live.
When people join a Moonlight experience, they feel the spark of real connection and the joy of shared learning – and they can’t help but come back for more.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://themoonlightcollective.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_moonlight.collective/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Moonlight-Collective/61555906324372/?_rdr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/themoonlightcollective/