Soho House Sydney is coming & what it takes to create a space people want to be a part of with Dom and Lexie of Soho House

(upbeat music) - There's like a common thread. You can be doing completely different things. You can be from completely different walks of life, but there is that connection. You know, it's more than a membership. It's a community, it's special. - That's Dominique Bellas. She is the global head of membership for Soho House's cities without houses. I sat down with Dom and Lexi Rodriguez, the head of memberships for APAC during their time in Sydney at the Soho House residency during South by Southwest. A quick blurb for those who don't know what Soho House is. It was founded in 1995 by Nick Jones in London, an exclusive membership with a clubhouse, if you will, for creative types. Fast forward to today, they have over 40 houses and 75 sites internationally. It is an incredible, multifaceted business model. And I am honestly in awe of Nick Jones and what they've created in 25 years of business. Now I think it's 26. The team will kind enough to support our first few episodes for the podcast relaunch recorded during their time in Sydney. During the residency, they announced that they were coming to Sydney with the Sydney House and in this episode, you'll hear all about it. We also chatted about the Soho House community's secret source, creating incredible spaces and the business initiatives happening all over the globe to foster relationships, support talent, and what it takes to grow a global membership brand. I'd like to start by honoring the traditional owners of the land, which this podcast was recorded, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation and pay my respects to their elders' past, present, and emerging. Special thanks to Soho House for making these episodes happen and to the people behind the house, especially a Miss Haley Reinhart, who I absolutely adore and who helped connect all of our dots. Welcome to Process the Podcast. I'm your host, Ariel Thomas, motion director, social strategist, and founder of Production Company Cinema Tom. Welcome back to Process the Podcast, you guys. It's been a while. I've had a few hiccups in my personal life, to be honest, that stopped me from recording at the end of last year. These things happened, but once I had it in the review mirror, I realized that I wanted to be putting out an episode every week. And this is really something that I love doing. I've banished our seasons, and I've essentially gone all in. I've totally restructured my work as a director. I've handed off way more of my retainer work to Molly, my assistant, and I've taken the driver's seat of the podcast to explore creativity with you every single Sunday. I feel a little bit fancy, kicking this off with Dom and Lex from some of our house. They play an integral part of this year's podcast growth. So enough from me. Let's dive in. We've finally made time. Can you guys introduce yourselves and what your roles are? Hi, I'm Lexi. I had membership for APEC for SoHouse, for Cities Without Houses. Hi, I'm Dom, or Dominique. I am the membership director for Cities Without Houses, for SoHouse, based in London. So we're doing this week. You guys are doing this week. I say we, because we are one now. You're part of the family. I became part of the family when I was helping subjects. Yes. Totally. I was like, I really had to be done. There was a bottleneck. I saw the problem. We went for it. I happened to be wearing all black. We just, it worked. So you guys are doing Sydney as a pop-up at the moment. You've taken over the old hotel, which is absolutely insane. How have you guys found it? Insane is a good way to describe it. No, it's been amazing. I think, well, to be honest, it's the first time we've ever done an 8-day pop-up. So I think, you know, now we've really got into the flow of it. And there's been a lot of moments this week where we've all looked at each other and gone, "Oh, wow. It really feels like a house." Which is amazing. Yeah. Yeah. I think, you know, like Alex, he said, "We've each day's got better and better." So just in terms of, you know, you can, we've been working on this for a year. So to see it all come together, you know, sometimes you don't know until you get into a space. How it's going to look and feel, how it's going to come together, understanding and like Alex, he said, working with the old Claire team because it's a mixture we've got of some house task force in town. And we're all looking after different areas. But, you know, the old Claire, are the team that are helping us with kind of food and drink and service. So really kind of getting to know them and, you know, building those relationships in quite a quick space, you know, time frame. I think it's just got stronger and stronger each day. And yeah, those moments like last night was great because I really felt like a so-and-house. And so you kind of go, "Okay, this is great. It's a sea. People come together." You know, not just people that are based here, but people that are in town for Southby as well. A real mix of people and some great, you know, performances and events that have happened. So, yeah, we're not through it yet. We still got, I don't know what day we're wrong now, but we've got a few yet, six. So we still got some great events to come. And yeah, it's, but it's been great in ten. It really has felt like a house. Well, that's good. My first experience at Soher House in was in New York, made back in when I was 18. Haley Reinhart had just moved over to New York and she was working with Bryant, Toth, who at the time, yeah, he was under 27's membership. So all of his friends were my young girl friends, boyfriends, because they were like older and cool and part of Soher House. And we were like these girls that were sneaking in. It was so fun. And then ever since I've just sort of like my whole adult life for creativity, I feel like I've been in and out of Soher House all over the world. It really felt like one downstairs, especially at the Alclair bar, the way they've got the little things, like the amount of cushions on a bonquette feels like what you guys have done. It's insane. Like all the scent is like the Soher House scent and all the staff, like everyone is just. It's been so fun. And it's been, yeah, if we keep saying it feels like camp, because like everyone's literally all in this together and we were saying before, when you asked me what one of my highlights has been, it's very rare as an adult that you get to see the same people over and over again, but we're not working with you guys so we don't know like the ins and outs of everything and the members don't work with each other, but we see each other regularly. So they become old friends very quickly. And that feeling is nearly impossible to replicate. The feeling of having an old friend from meeting people, but it is our houses, which I'd love to chat about, is incredible because we meet once a month or something, you guys host events and everybody tries to get to them. That monthly check-in is a better discipline to see friends that I even run from my own friendship group. Because I'm like doing something cultured, I'm seeing my mates, I'm eating great food and drink and it's always a vibe. And I don't say my girlfriends that often sometimes to do it. So the friends that you make by becoming a city's that houses a member, even though you might be like, like what is it if you don't have that understanding? When you come into it, you're like, oh wow, like this is actually really, really cool. And seeing all the people regularly, they do become old friends 'cause you got those check-in times, Pat even upstairs who's a Sydney member, I met him at the Heidi, yeah. And I was going through a certain client change or something in my business then and now fast forward nearly six months later. He's seen my growth and my confidence in different things happen and change and all that. But because you guys are cultivating like actual friendships because you're really doing valuable stuff, obsessed. It's so fun. It really is, like it's so fun. But I feel like you guys try and cultivate this stuff and you probably like, oh wow, hope it works. It works. The formula is working. I'm like the guinea pig of it. I'm obsessed. So how does it go running cities without houses? Because essentially a city without a house is a city that you guys are in with a membership base but it doesn't have the house. Yeah, I think, it's really nice, lovely to hear you talk about it in that way 'cause I think that's really at the heart of what our house is all about, whether we're the without a house, it is about community. We've got so many amazing stories of people that have met in houses, whether it's like after a gym class, in the changing rooms and then they've started a business together or maybe they've met at the bar and had a few picantes and then come up with a project, all found their husband or wife or now they've got kids. They have these kind of memories and touch points within the houses and great stories. So that's always happened. And I think the houses have a, because you have a physical space and people are coming in and out of that. But when we started to visit the houses, the intention was there and of course it is always about community, but it was kind of like going back to 1995 when Sarah House first started and Marcus and the team, we know that would walk around the streets of Shoreditch, finding artists and putting together committees and really starting something when people haven't heard of Sarah House and going back to I guess the roots. So with cities at that house, is when we started it, it was like we packed our suitcases and went to these cities and we didn't really know like it was really kind of, you know, it was really Nick's idea that he came up with. And we've always had members that, you know, that live in other cities, but kind of join by New York or wherever and use the houses when they travel. But we'd never really kind of gone to those cities, built committees, built membership, you know, created events. We didn't even start doing events in the very beginning. We kind of just started to build community and meet lots of people and just build relationships. But, you know, the events were a way, we kind of realized that, you know, well, what if you haven't been to a house in a couple of months? How are you having that connection? How are you meeting people? How are you connecting with Sarah House? So we kind of was like, well, let's do a few events and we, let's bring a sprinkling of Sarah House to these members and let them connect with each other. And then I think fast forward, you know, we're in the, this is coming up to the end of the seventh year now, I'm doing cities without houses. What I've noticed and what actually a lot of other members from other houses have commented if they've been in town or they've come to a city without houses event, you notice in a way that the bond between the members is actually stronger. I think because there isn't bricks and more so because there isn't a house. I think sometimes when you've got a house you kind of take it for granted because you're like, "Oh, it's my house and I'm swallowing in and out." And sometimes members come in with their friends and leave with their friends. When you go to an event and maybe we do events that are members only. So, as an adult, how many things do you go to on your own really and then actually talk to people? But I think because we're hopefully providing environments where people feel safe to go up to strangers and have a chat and also bringing together people that have kind of got, there's like a common thread. You can be from completely different walks of life. But there is that connection. Hopefully we're curating groups of people that can just talk to each other and actually you're like, "Oh, yeah, we're completely different. We've lived in different places, but we've now connected." And like you say, it's nice to hear the phrase like, "Old friends." But yeah, when I travel around and we go and you know, and Lexi and the team have done a great job here in Apep, but you can see those bonds, those relationships. Yeah, it means that then members will step in and with a tray of rosé taking it around for us. Exactly. But we value that that's kind of something more than a membership. So yeah, that makes me very proud and it's always great to hear that feedback. But you must have that and see that in your cities. Yeah, I mean, the fact that we've got so many members from other cities come. I mean, we've had like, I was three or four members from Singapore come here this week and they didn't know anybody when they came. They've left with like a whole bunch of new friends and yeah, I think the definitely with what Dom said, you know, a lot of our members say when they have a house or you know, they move to a city, the city's without a house, a city after being at a house. Yeah. They come with their own friends. They kind of, you know, do their own thing, but with cities without a house, they're like, "I've met so many more people in my six months of being here than I did when I was like in a house for two years." But it is, I think it genuinely is because you don't see people as often, you know, so you come to an event and you people make an extra effort as well. I think to like meet and connect with the rest of the community because you don't really, you don't get that everyday option to do that. And also, I think we try and create really special moments for members that, you know, when you step into that event, or whatever it is, we're trying to curate that night, also adds to the layer of being able to connect with somebody as well. Yes. Absolutely. And you guys are also a very good advocate and investing time in your members to understand industries and kind of personality types to then just very quickly link them up to someone like we did at the elevator just then. You guys were like, "Oh my god. Oh my god. Why didn't we think of that? Let's do this." And Haley has been extraordinary at that. She's such a good matchmaker. But the talent that SoHo House attracts is so unique and amazing and very calm. Yeah, you guys wouldn't see, I mean, maybe you guys don't see the, like, because it is a business obviously, the way of working. And then, but as soon as you guys go member-facing, it's a very similar, amazing, meet you at SoHo House vibe. It's like, it's hard work for a business to move. It's like itself to a new city. Have you guys, you're all unique people. All of you have been working under the palm. There's alcohol involved. There's a lot of personality types. Like you guys would have so many annoying people all week being like, "Oh, can my other friend come in?" Or like, " just the bullshit politics." And if anyone wants to understand the SoHo House politics go on the Instagram, SoHo House memes. It is amazing. But that, like, it's a very specific thing that you guys do. And I think it's a remarkable operation. How do you guys manage that? And what does the SoHo House secret source talent need to be? I think definitely the cities with our houses team, not, you know, but I do think it's a special, we're a special breed of people. No, no, no, I mean, everybody in SoHo House, I think is really kind. I think we've got some really good values as a company. And every person that works for the company, I think is really kind in general. I mean, everywhere you go, I think that's probably one of the biggest thing people say about, you know, the people that work for us. But I think in particular with cities with our houses, I mean, it's so fast paced what we do. We're moving in, like, we're most of us are looking after multiple cities. Yeah. You're arriving in a city. You probably don't know, you know, you're trying to build like genuine connection to like local culture, local creative scene. And so I think that are the people that work for us are just really authentic. Like, I think that's a really big part. They, you know, a lot of them show up as they are. And I think, and I think because of that, yeah, they're really independent. They show up as they are. They're really authentic. They're really genuine. And I think that's just the way they are to all our members and to people that walk through the door. Yeah. I think it's, it's, um, what like, so we're saying about our values and I suppose, you know, the kindness. I think, you know, for to talk about all our house kind of talent, you know, whether depending on what department you work in, I think there is that, um, I don't want to use Kando because it's, you know, but like, there is that kind of willingness to find solutions to problems. And I think, you know, whether you're in operations, whether you're a bartender or you're, you know, in the kitchen or you're a membership, you know, we're here to serve our members, right? We're here to create amazing experiences. And so, you know, sometimes things do go wrong. Sometimes the kitchen, you know, is backed up and they're not having a great night. But, you know, it's about how can we go, do you know what? Yes, it's going to be, you know, we're going to fix this for you. Let's send around a ring. Just like, I know we've mentioned it, but just like last night, you know, just, just kind of help, you know, thinking about those solutions. And I think even if you think about, we've got a GM from Bangkok here and, you know, she's worked for South for a really long time as well. And, you know, she's just got that kind of looking for solutions and really kind of making sure that people are looked after. So I think there's, there's that quality in people. I think in membership. And I think the majority of my team, you know, that are based, they're based all over the world in different places, often working, you know, on their own, you know, without that kind of house infrastructure. The things I always look for, I guess, a great membership person. I think, you know, you kind of have to like people. You know, you kind of got a like talking to people and meeting new people, you know, like, and I know that sounds like very obvious, but you know, we meet a lot of people and you're talking to a lot of people and everyone's got a different social battery and, you know, it doesn't mean you have to be in an extrovert. You can still be an introvert. Everyone's different. Everyone brings something different to the party. But I think, you know, so whether that like of people comes from curiosity. So if I ever asked someone in an interview and they describe themselves as curious, that's always something that I'm, that's like a tick for me. And the reason why is because, you know, maybe they're a bit nosy. So it means they're going to ask people questions. They're going to say, well, tell me about you. Where are you from? Like, tell me, or if you're talking to someone that's an artist and, you know, you're going to have, if you've got that curiosity, you genuinely are interested in tell me about your project and tell me how you, and I think that opens up conversation, right? It opens up a connection. So if you don't have that that ability or that desire within you, I think it makes it quite hard to be in that kind of role. So I think, you know, curiosity, creativity, I kind of think also a bit of entrepreneur, an entrepreneurial spirit because I think we are, you know, you know, a lot of our team and, you know, we're often going to spaces and creating events and you have to be a bit entrepreneurial to kind of make things happen and again, find solutions to problems. So I think, but then like Lexi said, I think as well as that, I think all the team are authentically themselves. This January, I brought all the team together. We're very lucky to go to Farmhouse. So Farmhouse, I mean, brought the whole team together and, you know, I spend a lot of time with all the team globally. So I know them all. But, you know, Lexi doesn't spend loads of time with, you know, the team in that I had a membership in DC in America or so to bring, you know, to bring them all together and see them in a space, what was really special for me is they're also different, completely different in personality, completely different in background, where they're from, their life experience. But to see them all come in a room together and just this energy that comes together, where they're all, you know, these are all people that are doing the same job, but in, you know, in Tokyo, in that land, you know, all completely different parts of the world. And then to see them come together, there's just this connection because they're all kind of, they've got that authenticity, they've got that curiosity. And it's this energy that's quite a special kind of thing when it all comes together. So I'm very grateful and lucky that I get to work with great people. And yes, the calmness, maybe it's, maybe it's the calm on the outside and the swan underneath the water. That's good to say. Yeah, definitely a lot of swan underneath the water. It's seamless. I haven't seen any cracks yet. I've spent a lot of time with you guys and I haven't seen a little. So the choice to come to South by Southwest and that'd be the pop up. How did that come about? So I met with Colin last year in Singapore actually in September. And he obviously was so excited about South by and was telling us all about it. And I think we've just been a part of South by in Austin for a very, very long time. Does it happen in Austin right? Yes. They're the house in Austin. And even before yeah, with cities without we had that in Austin. So we did actually two pop-ups in Austin before we had the house. So similar to this, really. Yeah. And then I think we were just kind of ready for a big activation in Australia. And we'd been kind of talking about, you know, doing a pop-up at somewhere in A-PAC. And then yeah, I think in January we decided it would be Australia. And it's been a year. And we're here to see it actually all come to life is pretty amazing. And also, I mean, we usually try and do things like this during a big cultural moment because we know there's a lot of members in town. There'll be a lot of talent in town. It's a really like busy time for the city. And you know, yeah, we want to show up for the cultural moments that matter. It's really fun having that through line as well because you know everyone's in town for South by. So it's a very easy conversation starter as well to be able to say, hey, I like, what have you seen? And it's kind of simple to pinpoint as well the members that would be in town and their curiosities and what you would have in common with them. It's been very fun. What about the Sydney house that is coming in so hot it's coming in hot. Yes, as I've said, many times this week is the worst kept secret. There is out there. But it is official. We are coming. We will be opening a house in Sydney in the coming years, which is the official and an official line. And we're really excited. You know, it'll be on the corner of Crown Street and Oxfas Street. I think, you know, it's an exciting area. And I think, yeah, we great to have a base for our Sydney members, but also for our international members that come to Australia and like to visit and have that home away from home. So yes, you'll have a spot where you're able to eat, work and play. How have you gone, like, kind of witnessing Sydney? And now you guys going away from it, knowing that there's a house coming. I think, do you know what? I think doing something like this, we knew that creatively there's lots of interesting things happening here. I think there's lots of different industries. I think our programming has reflected that this week. And so I think from that side, it's felt very easy. I think also doing a pop-up kind of teaches us a lot about the city. So this is actually my first time to Sydney to Australia. And you know, immediately, you know, you pick up and understand, I guess, the way of life, how people operate and move around. So, you know, I've learned that it's a very early city the other morning. You know, we were out, you know, walking and breakfast and it was 8 AM, I was like, oh, we're done. You know, you don't, it's not always like that in London. So just understanding those nuances, I think is really important. Also, in terms of kind of, yeah, just operating a house, that is information we can then pass on. And when we open the house, hopefully, you know, we'll listen to our members, we'll ask them what they want to do and see in the house, whether it comes to programming, you know, seeing what events have been busy, you know, and what members have really liked is it are great takeaways for us to kind of then take into, you know, the house when it opens. It's been amazing. So is there going to be a so-how slash South by 2.0 next year? We don't know yet, but I think we'll definitely show up next year. We'll definitely show up. But in what way we will know next year. Keep it guessing. Keep it fresh. Keep it new. We don't know yet. We haven't, we haven't, we haven't gone there yet mentally, have we? We're still here. We're present. We're present. We're present. Yes. What are the highlights that have been for you guys this week? Um, yeah, I think, yeah, they're definitely this morning. I haven't been, we haven't, we haven't been out that much because we've been here. But we did do the beach this morning with a bronchi to Bondine. You know, I had different members telling me, oh, you shouldn't go to Bondine. Oh, yes, you definitely should. I'm very glad I did. Like, you know, you guys claim to have really good beaches and I can confirm you definitely do. I'm thinking about, you know, with it. So our house has introduced a sabbatical policy. I've been there a long time. I've got a couple of sabbaticals under my belt. How long have you been with so house? It'll be 12 years in May. So about 11 and a half years. Yeah. So yes, definitely the beach. I'm going, I'm now going to go back every morning before I leave. And then I think programming wise, you know, there's been some great nights that we've had here last night was amazing. We had Milan ring upstairs. She's just an incredible, you know, musician and that was in partnership with Women in Music. So it's great to be able to support up and coming artists. That's something we do in the houses all the time. And then Ziggy last night, just as such a special human. And I think really important. But also just great, great music, so talented, you know, and varied musically from rapping. So, you know, when he was on the harmonica. And I think, I think also I think the crowd, the members that came last night in both spaces, I was like, oh, this feels, you know, feels like a somehow. So that was, I think last night was a really one of my favorites so far this week. What about you? Yeah, same. I was, I was saying, there was a moment last night that me and Tom, I mean, Tom, me and Tom are literally like with each other all the time throughout the year. Tom is our event producer for A-PAC. Not my husband, no. He's such a nice dude. And I want to steal all his clothes. He dresses so well. He's just looks slick all the time. I'm like, and he's always tonal in like navy's and shit. I'm like, mate, killing it. I'm gonna tell him that. Yeah, we looked at each other at one point in the night and we went, this is pretty special. It was like a day where everything was in flow. We've been there a few days too. And I think the AV guys have been in, they've got a bit of a rhythm going now, the team, like the old Claire and like just everything just felt like in flow. Even the movement of like members from upstairs to downstairs, just the way the whole space moved. Like there was just this beautiful synergy that kind of like was in the space. And everybody was kind of connecting and meeting and you know, I think everybody left last night with a special memory and moment and whether that was meeting somebody or watching something being inspired for something about something like, yeah, so I think that was really, really special. In terms of the secret source of you guys creating that amazing flow that you do, the somehow house way, can you share anything about how you guys do that? Wishing a prayer. No. I mean, there is a lot of cool back end coordination, you know, there was a lot of like, I will signal when it is okay last night. Yeah. Yeah. Well, we were like, okay, it was going to open. But you know, I think Dom said something earlier, which I think is really true. It's really thinking about like all senses of the member experience and not allowing the to enter into the space until all of that is ready. You know, making sure the space is ready for all of that. You know, if you're moving from one space to another that transition feels like it's a space you want to go into otherwise you lose people. Yeah, just really what it like is a sound right is the music is a lighting right is all that. So I think like we just, yeah, I think just creating all of that so that it's ready for someone to want to walk in and be like, oh, I want to stay and I want to like, you know, I feel at home in this place. Yeah. Yeah, that's my, it's my kind of, you know, I've been doing events for a long time and I think, you know, you can have an amazing, you know, venture user and you need people that are organized and have got great attention to detail and can pull everything together. But I always say kind of, you know, what's going to take someone from being good to being great is if they can approach the space and really think about the senses and think about all those other elements that a lot of people actually don't notice, but you notice them when they're bad. So, you know, if you've ever gone to an event or a restaurant and you sit down the chairs really uncomfortable or, you know, maybe it's too low for the table or you get given a slightly warm glass of wine or you, it's really bright or the music's so loud you can't hear anything or talk to anybody. These are all little things that you will notice and they kind of put you in a bit of a bad mood before the events even started. So, you know, these are all things, you know, you mentioned the centre. We had so many members being like, oh, it smells like a sour ass because yes, we brought all these lovely thousands of them everywhere. We brought them in to make them smell like a sour. But those are things that affect how you feel and how relaxed you are in a space. So, I think if you're in a space where you're feeling a little bit tense or something's annoying you, you know, it kind of ruins your experience of that night. So, those elements are all in play and then of course, you know, it's the people that it's the members as well. That's the other element. You can have a beautiful restaurant, a beautiful hotel or a space, but, you know, if it's not your people, if it's an odd crowd or you're not feeling again, if you're not feeling relaxed or that you can connect with anyone, it kind of ruins it. You know, that's, it's a big part of it's like the other element that you can really curate. So, yeah, a lot of it does go, you know, behind the scenes of course, yes. We say always just gamble it, but we did work very hard to think about those things of course. Yeah. The scent comes from Soho House Home and you guys obviously have the book Publishing Situation and then there's Soho House Home and there's store frontages of that. The people can walk through and experience when I had poor Davies here with me this morning. He was saying that the art collection is now the biggest private collection in the world. What other parts are inspiring you guys? I mean, we've got like our Soho Fellowship program is really incredible, you know, like I think globally now we started that just after COVID and I think that the stories that you hear out of that is really special. So the fact that we've now got our first cohort in Australia with like 10 from women in music, we've also given design of the year, Indigenous design of the year, sustainable design of the year, an emerging design of the year for Australian Fashion Lawyer, the Soho Fellowship. So I think that's an amazing program that we've created. We've also got like a mentorship program as well, but not so much in like all the cities without houses cities, but as a business, you know, that's that's incredible as well. I mean, yeah, I think there's so much more that we're doing now since COVID, I feel that where we're really supporting more like a bigger spread of amazing creatives around the world that's passed our membership. Yeah, yeah, I think and I think, you know, the same, I think, you know, those programs have been, you know, amazing and we've seen some incredible, it's kind of widened up the pool of different people that are coming in the business and which is really exciting, right? You don't want to meet the same kind of person all the time. I think the other thing, you know, that I think maybe because we've been going for a long time, people kind of take it for granted, maybe internally, but also I think externally, I don't think people realize that, you know, in every Soho House, all of that design is all done in house. Yeah, that's our teams that are doing that and of course, we'll work with amazing artisans and from from each local city and every house is completely different, but you know, I think people take it for granted that we're, you know, yes, we're opening houses, but proof they're just arriving. You're like, oh yeah, that looks really nice. There's a whole team that goes, you know, that goes that really thinks and really designs these amazing spaces and we've just opened, you know, Mexico City and, you know, we open houses, you know, frequently, but that is definitely one that, you know, everybody, I mean, I just think it's the most stunning space and they've done such an amazing job. And, you know, to your point with Paul and the art collection, the art is another layer of design within the space, but it's a really, it's a really special layer because it's not just a piece of art in the wall and you're just looking at anything, oh, that's cool. You know, the artist is a member, the artist is part of that collection. So it's this family of artists that live within that so-and-so world. And, you know, how often can you go and see such amazing art in the space, you know, normally you're going in, it's an interesting concept as well, I think, because the, when you go to an exhibition, the art is the most important thing in the room. But when you're going to see a piece of art in a so-and-so house space, it's not the only thing, it's not the most important thing it's part of, the whole experience and how do you kind of navigate the design with artworks and different artworks next to each other. But I think that's just an, it's just such an interesting thing. And, yes, with the, you know, being the largest art collection, it's something that's happened really organically. It's not even something, you know, like with many so-and-so house things, we just kind of, certainly, because our founder is, you know, so entrepreneurial and constantly coming up with ideas. So the art was just something that happened really quite randomly and organically and then it's just grown and, and then now the quantity, you're like, oh shit. Yeah, exactly. But it's still something that, you know, I've been in a long time, but it's still amazing to see spaces that the teams have worked on and designed, that are still, because they evolve, every house is different, you know, I remember when we first started with Malibu and the way that staircase, you know, they've got this staircase, it was the first time we'd kind of done something different with the art, where instead of hanging all the art, we have this kind of wall and they were, they were more placed and we'd not really done that very much in the houses, but it was just something so new and, and, and I think the team, the art team and the designers do a great job of really kind of changing things all the time. I think part of that is giving opportunities to young interior designers, you know, I've got, you know, great stories of when we opened Ludlow House, you know, there's three floors, three or four floors of Ludlow House, one of the floors, Nick was like, we had a really young designer and he said, I want you to design the whole floor, like quite a junior interior designer. And he was like, design it as if it was your apartment that you wanted to live in in New York. But by doing that, it really brought a completely different design style and really kind of mixed it up and it was great to see. So I think, again, there is even that sort of sense of community within our own teams and giving different people opportunities. But I think that's what makes it, keeps it interesting and keeps you inspired. In terms of unique talent, like a very junior interior designer, for example, we've talked a lot about to her house here, but you guys obviously do bring your own, J'en ai say, "Qua, to, to the situation like Lex your outfits or wake have been un-believeable." And Dom, you tend to wear all black sometimes, but you're just a really lovely individual and I'm going to miss seeing you around a lot if you were to sum up your own personalities in who you are. What would you say? As interesting as I'm a third culture kid, right? So I have two passports of countries I haven't lived today in my life. So I think for that for me, I think the sense of belonging has never been a city or a place or where I'm from. And it's really been about people. I think because of that, so when I started working for the so-how, I used to be in the entertainment industry and always work for myself, being a presenter, etc. And then so I was like, you got a job? I was like, "Yeah, I'm going to full time." I was like, "You're working for someone?" I was like, "Yeah, how's that going?" I was like, "Well, it's weird because everyone's kind of like me." Just in terms of a lot of people in so-how's come from different backgrounds. They've not traditionally come from doing a nine to five job, a lot of especially in the membership team or the events team. They've all come from being in the industry themselves or being part of the creative world themselves. So yes, it was just really nice to find a tribe of like-minded people, not just within the so-how's community, but within people that I work with as well, who when they told their history background of what they did, I mean, Dom is well-winterdrams school. I mean, he's a shy. Yeah, he's a little bit selfish. Because of that, I guess, because of the sense of belonging, like, I don't know, I feel like that is through a sense of expression. So I'm very expressive and just emotionally, very like EQ type person. I'm like, and that comes through, I think, how I dress, affects how I feel. I'm very. Yeah, so I think it's more of a. I think that, yeah, I'm just. Yeah, it's an expressive little being. Yeah, I get high c's. She's a pie-seed. I'm a pie-seed. Yeah, so pretty dreamy in terms of the way we are. Yeah, amazing. I think also, like, I end up being the mum. I'm the mum of the group a lot, even though I'm, you know, I know you say you picked up style, but I think I'm definitely like, you know, the mater, even for the tip-my-team, in particular, but yeah, I'm like. Well, I mean, in a great example is we all arrived here in Lexi's, brought everybody like a care package. So we've got this skincare thing with a crystal to get all the negative energy away, these amazing masks, eye masks that heat up to relax it. I mean, yeah, maybe yeah, you're definitely the mum, the mum of the group. That's so nice. Which is nice. And, Dom, I feel like there's a big question. I mean, yeah, well, you know, noted all the black, she's noted that. Maybe that comes from drama school, because I remember. No, no, I mean, in my first year drama school, they basically told us you have to wear black every day, and no makeup, you know, because you've got. Where did you go? In Manchester, in the UK. You know, you have to strip out, you need to be a black canvas. So no makeup, all black, hair up, you know, no personality, basically, you know, bring it so that you can morph into the others. So maybe that's why I wear them, so you say, "Oh, black." There's a bit of cover here, tiny, fade, wash, black, red lippy, you know, that's what I'll bring it exactly. Always a red lippy. The question is, "Who am I? Where did I define myself?" I did it too, you went to the door. Yeah, yeah. But we spend the whole time talking about "So, her house, but I feel like you guys are so unique and such beautiful women." So I feel like I wanted to just. Obviously, a WestBode outside of that So, Her House identity. I think it took me a long time to get to So, Her House in my career. Lots of different things, and I could say, started acting. I don't know, I don't know whether she doesn't say my age. At the very end of next year, I will turn 40. And I think when you go through your 20s and your 30s, I'm sure like many people, you're not learning who you are, but I suppose you are. You're going through different things and dealing with things. And I think for me personally, I think I spent maybe the end of my 20s and into my 30s, dealing with, you know, I had quite a. Not a turbulent childhood, but you know, a couple of things that were quite traumatic in my childhood that you kind of don't really think about, you know, you kind of just being who you think you are and then life happens and then you kind of have to delve into all of that. So I think I've probably personally been on quite a big personal growth through a lot of that. And I think, you know, when you first start dealing with things or first start uncovering, you know, who you are and why you are the way you are, I think you. Maybe it first is very painful and you don't want to kind of deal with that. But then over time, I think you then enjoy the growth. And so for me, I'm kind of really passionate about growing in myself. So whether that's learning something new or just getting better at something or understanding, oh, actually, when that happens, I react like this. And how can I change that? And how can I evolve? And I'm very passionate about that within myself. And I like to encourage that. I bring that, of course, I bring that into my workspace because I think, you know, what's the phrase, if you're not growing or dying? So there's definitely-- no, but a true, right? A true, you don't want to be so-- So I think, you know, I'm really kind of supportive of that because it's great to see people growing evolve personally. So it's something I'm really passionate about. I think Lexi's well like, you know, high-motion intelligence. I kind of-- I don't know, in all the like, when you want to do astrology things, it's like, oh, you're a little bit psychic and what I'm like. Do I believe in that? But I think, you know, I do have quite a good read on people. And so it's good for the job I'm in. I think, you know, I do get energy from meeting people. That's how I kind of recharge my batteries. So it's great that I mean this sort of job. But I think that emotional intelligence being able to kind of, you know, notice if somebody is, you know, and that's hard, I think, in a workspace when we're on Zoom's all the time. You can't always tell if somebody's having a bad day. So actually being able to notice just the way someone communicates maybe slightly differently in a text. And things like that. So, yeah, I suppose that's a little bit about me. I mean, yeah, beside as an actress, I've got a very different parents. My mom's like, five foot two, black, curly hair. She's called my class. She's a lot of fun. French. And, you know, I suppose being brought up by a really kind of strong, independent, you know, mother. And I think that's really defined me in lots of ways. I've learned so much from her and I think a lot of my drive or my independence. And just kind of some of the things that she went through in her life, you know, she's amazing. And she's definitely been somebody that, now I'm older, I can really, you know, I've just got so much, she's just such a legend. And hilarious and a bit, you know, a bit crazy. But, aren't the best people. But, you know, so, you know, I think that's a, that's a big part of, you know, who I am. And how kind of her, she's definitely shaped as I'm sure all mothers and parents have me. So that's a bit about the non, the non so her, yeah. Amazing. This was so fun. Thanks for letting me do this. Thank you for letting me do it. It's been so much fun. And thank you for joining me on the pod. And if anyone wants to join cities without houses, is there a website of which they go to, there is a website if you just go to Sarah House dot com forward slash membership. There will be, and it's probably forward slash cities without houses. That's a bit long. But just go to, you know, Sarah House website, apply for membership and it will be an option there. It doesn't say about the amazing connections that you'll build. And, you know, these old friends that you're going to see every month, but it kind of talks to you about, yes, what the membership is. Or, you know, getting in touch with one of the team. And, and, you know, meet, meet some of the team and, and see what you think. Thank you guys. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you. Thanks me to the end of my chat with Soho House's Lex and Dom. Can you guys do me a favor? It makes the podcast even better if I start to monetize. And in order to do that, I need our numbers to be really, really strong and attractive, as you can imagine, because I'm going in pitching the pod. And I need the subscribers and the listeners to be kind of juicy. So I was wondering, can you please hit the subscribe button for me so that I know that you guys are out there and that you're enjoying this? The more that you hit subscribe or share it and get more listens, it directly impacts the amount of heavy hitters that I can interview because obviously the more the numbers, the more important the show becomes and the more juicy guests I can get and I can interview to get all of their secret sauce creatively. So essentially, this is win-win. If you'd prefer, send it to a bougie friend that also wants to apply to Soho House when it arrives in Sydney and everybody will win. I will see you again next week for a year of growth and creativity. I am so excited to be back in your ears. I adore this podcast and although it's called process, I love the process of creating this podcast and the people that I get to meet. I hope that you can hear how much fun I'm having during these episodes and thank you from the bottom of my heart for listening and sticking with me while we give this another crack to come to you every single Sunday. Thank you guys and have a fantastic week.