Member Profile: Leslie Richin

Every other night of the week Leslie Richin can be found with reporter's notebook and pen in hand, covering intriguing social gatherings and the new media scene. Recently, she graciously allowed Urban Girl Squad to put her on the other side of the interview, sharing her expertise on leveraging social media and her favorite form of New York pampering--we bet you'll want to try it too!

UGS: Tell us a little bit about your working life as a publicist, event planner, and journalist.

As a journalist I cover high-profile events in New York City. I mostly write for two Web sites, Socially Superlative and Scallywag & Vagabond. I love to write, and working in PR and event planning I love all aspects of promotion--meeting new people, going to events, and writing about them. I have a very positive outlook on events--I can't be mean or evil; it's not me.

UGS: What are your best tips for Urban Girl Squad members on leveraging their online networks?

I use Twitter for projects (Editor's note: follow Leslie!). If you organize the people and companies you're following, you can find out so much about what's going on--who's hiring, who needs help with a project. You have to put some time into it but if you do, you'll find something useful every day.

UGS: How did you first learn about Urban Girl Squad, and what keeps you coming back?

I originally came to cover an event, and I continue to write about the events I attend. I love what Urban Girl Squad stands for. You don't need to know anyone to come, and you're taught amazing things from how to style your wardrobe to how to play poker.

UGS: What are your favorite spots in the city?

Currently the High Line--an old, abandoned railroad track that's been transformed into a park--is my favorite place to show people visiting from out of town. And if I could, I'd walk around SoHo every weekend of my life.

I used to live on the Lower East Side, and it's one of my favorite neighborhoods ever, with the shops, the restaurants, the community. It's one of the last neighborhoods in New York City that's still intact and reflects what it used to be.

UGS: How long have you lived in New York, and what neighborhood do you live in?

I've been here nine years, and I moved to the Financial District last November. It's an interesting neighborhood. People's reactions to it are either immediately negative or they say that there's so much history there but nothing to do. So it's kind of love-hate. But the buildings here are a good value compared with those with comparable services-- doormen and an onsite gym--in other neighborhoods.

UGS: What do you like to splurge on?

Well, New York is filled with shops, so my big indulgence is shopping for clothes at Saks or a SoHo boutique. I'm not really into manicures and pedicures and I do my own hair, but once a year I get a scalp treatment at Philip Kingsley. They analyze your scalp and give you this massage that leaves you completely rejuvenated and detoxes your body. It's expensive, $80-$100, but I recommend it to everyone who can fit it in their budgets.

UGS: What advice do you have for young women moving to NYC?

When I came here I didn't know anyone. I didn't have the benefit of Urban Girl Squad, but I joined other organizations in order to meet people. By joining activities and groups in your community you will meet the people you want to meet. Strong female relationships and the support they provide are so important; my girlfriends are everything to me. But you have to put yourself out there to find them.

Want to support a great, girly, rockin' cause? Leslie's collaborating on the GIRLS WHO ROCK benefit concert taking place on Thursday, June 10. Female recording artists Kat DeLuna, MoZella, Lenka, Shontelle, Cara Salimando, and Kelli Pyle will make music to make a difference for She's the First, raising funds to support girls' education in Africa. She's the First is a global education campaign that sends girls to school around the world so they can break barriers and become "the first" to achieve amazing goals. Want more info? Follow Girls Who Rock, then grab your favorite gals and purchase tickets.