After every food week the Independent hosts, our Marketing and Events Manager Richelle Boyd sends out a survey asking what the readers want to have next. Coffee Week has been one of the most highly requested weeks each year, and as an avid coffee drinker herself, she couldn’t pass up the opportunity to share the caffeine craze with the Indy staff and readers. And she doesn’t just manage our food weeks; she oversees all of our events and promotions that happen at the Independent — from our Best of Santa Barbara® Readers’ Poll and Fido’s Photo Contest to new promotions like Coffee Week and events like Brave New Work. You can even catch Richelle at the Indy’s Coffee Culture Fest booth on March 28, or at our Backyard Brunch event in Goleta on April 18.
When did you first start working at the Independent?
I technically started as a news intern for the Independent in early 2023. I immediately liked everyone on staff — and for how crazy and stressful this business can be, everyone was really cool. By some miracle, there was a part time marketing position opening up, and with some previous experience I jumped at the chance to stay. I’m just a couple of months shy of officially being a part of staff for 3 years now. Though almost no one on staff really understands my job, it’s been a treat to be able to work alongside them and help to reach out and involve the community.