Sempre, Co-Founder
Senior 2024
Returning to Shanghai for my senior year after a year at NYU New York, I found myself disenchanted with the traditional Shanghai nightlife. Unlike the diverse party culture in New York and other Western cities, Shanghai’s nightlife was heavily centered around clubbing, with few options for student-oriented gatherings outside of clubs. After talking with fellow seniors, I realized this feeling was shared widely—we were all tired of the repetitive clubbing lifestyle. When my American friend Alec and Spanish friend Joaco expressed similar sentiments, the idea for a new kind of student party brand was born. Together, we launched Sempre, named for the Italian word meaning “always” or “forever,” symbolizing our vision for a party experience that would always be fun and unique. I wanted Sempre to live on as my legacy at NYU Shanghai, managed by future leaders even after I graduated.
Sempre took a different approach to nightlife, renting out some of Shanghai’s most exclusive venues and transforming them into our own student parties. We made each event NYU Shanghai-exclusive, keeping ticket prices affordable to prioritize community and fun over profit. With just five days to our Halloween night debut, I took charge of business strategy, pricing models, marketing and branding, content creation, visual design, and social media management. I leveraged my campus influence to spread the word, while my co-founders focused on outreach and tech support. For our grand opening, we secured The House of Roosevelt, a private club with the best rooftop views on the Bund, where we hosted our Halloween night party on the top-floor outdoor and indoor spaces.
From marketing planning and poster design to event promotion and social media content, I personally handled each detail within a tight four-day timeline. On Halloween night, we brought together 150+ international students, generating ¥15,000+ in revenue, with a favorable gender ratio that added to the evening’s vibe. Most importantly, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with friends and students alike thanking me for organizing a memorable event that brought everyone together. I’m thrilled to have created a space where our community can enjoy their senior year in a more meaningful way, and we’re excited to continue hosting more Sempre events throughout the year. Sempre has become a testament to my abilities as a visionary entrepreneur, brand launcher, community builder, and strategic marketer, bringing together a diverse student body to enjoy our final year together.
