Meet Jillian Livingston | Connector, Influencer, Marketer, Content Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jillian Livingston and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jillian, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I came up with the idea for Aspen Business Connect organically through my blog, Aspen Real Life, where I share stories about the incredible people and places I encounter in my travels. Over time, my audience began reaching out with constant inquiries—not just about where to go and what to do, but who to trust in Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley.

Traditional directories often lack personal insight and real community vetting, so I saw an opportunity to create something different—a referral-based business directory built on professionalism, reputation, and trust. Every business listed in Aspen Business Connect is by referral only, ensuring that people don’t have to guess when looking for the best services, professionals, and experiences in the valley.

In 2018, I wanted to take this a step further and take my efforts offline. I began hosting professional networking events all over the valley; Caribou Club, St. Regis, Catchsteak (formerly Scarlett’s), and Marble Distillery in Carbondale. Then COVID hit, and with business at a standstill, I was determined to keep connections alive and professionals engaged. I pivoted to weekly Zoom calls, and whether we had 5 or 50 people on a call, the results were incredible. I watched businesses collaborate, people get hired, and new opportunities emerge. From there, Aspen Business Connect memberships grew as a way to continue bringing in new professionals, all based on trusted referrals.

Post-COVID, Aspen’s pace has accelerated dramatically. New faces are arriving, businesses are evolving, and longtime locals are trying to stay relevant and connected. Now, more than ever, professionals are craving deeper, more meaningful connections. Recognizing this unmet need, I continue to create environments where business leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals can come together intentionally, not just through social media, but through real-life interactions, curated events, and strategic introductions.

This is what Aspen Business Connect is, a professional social club and directory designed to bridge the gap between people, businesses, and opportunities, ensuring that Aspen’s unique community thrives through authentic connections. And now, I am getting the requests from investors to help find businesses to invest in, and the incredible single women of our valley are asking me to be on the look out for reputable and honorable single men both within and outside the valley. If you know of anyone, please have them reach out to me.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’ve always been a creator, documenting my travels through writing, video and my camera and I’ve had so many people tell me that the outpouring of love from my posts about them has made them feel loved and valued. The revelation that I bring light and help to elevate others, has compelled me to expand my work and helps me to stay in the flow of who I am, without the constraints of working for others. This is what sets me apart, I don’t just create content; I create experiences that bring people together and make them feel good. My mission has always been to help people find the right connections to help support them as they grow both professionally and personally.

I’ve written before about the roller coaster ride of entrepreneurship, and while the drops aren’t as steep and the curves aren’t as sharp as they once were, they still exist. Boyd Varty, author of The Lion Tracker’s Guide to Life, has had a profound impact on my mindset, helping me recognize that these pivots, which once made me feel lost, are not setbacks but opportunities. Rather than seeing them as flat moments, I’ve learned to slow down, reset, and navigate forward with intention.

A key part of growth is surrounding myself with people who compliment my strengths, allowing me to stay in my zone of genius rather than getting bogged down in areas that drain my energy. Expanding my reach and engaging with other networking communities is also crucial. I deeply admire those who stay true to their mission by talking the talk and walking the walk, and as a connector, it’s important for me to do the same, joining organizations like Aspen Rotary to broaden my network and meet others connecting community.

I’m also challenging myself to step out of my comfort zone in new ways. Writing about my journey has always been a way for me to help inspire others, but I’m also pushing myself to speak publicly and empower others to stay committed to their own paths. It’s been an incredibly challenging journey, but with age, I’ve come to welcome the discomfort to step up and do the things that scare me most, like speaking in front of an audience, as necessary steps toward growth.
I’m far more comfortable sitting at my desk, writing emails, and working behind the scenes, but those actions alone don’t deliver the results I want. I’m social, I love being outside, and every time I get out there and engage, I meet new people and create new opportunities. It’s a reminder that breaking habits, stepping into new terrain, and doing what fuels me most is what ultimately makes me thrive.

I’m incredibly proud of what I’ve built with Aspen Real Life and Aspen Business Connect, growing them into thriving platforms that foster authentic connections. For years, I’ve done it all mostly on my own, the marketing, event curation, storytelling, and community building, using my own minimal resources. While I’ve built something truly powerful, I’ve reached a turning point.
I’m ready to bring on a team and expand beyond Aspen. I’m also eager to collaborate with Colorado brands that align with my audience and vision. I have the platforms, the reach, and the engaged community, now it’s time to use them more expansively.
The hardest part? Scaling without a team and balancing creativity with business growth. The best part? Watching real opportunities, collaborations, and lifelong friendships come to life through my work.

Recently, I made a conscious decision to follow the doors that open naturally, rather than forcing something purely for financial gain. I deeply admire those who stay true to their mission, and I remind myself that patience and trust in my gut will always lead me in the right direction. The truth is, people are craving real, meaningful interactions more than ever. And that is exactly what I am creating. But I can’t do it alone anymore. To truly scale, I need to surround myself with smart, aligned people who believe in this vision.

At the heart of everything is a deep commitment to bringing people together in meaningful ways. My brand is built on authenticity and connection, not just surface-level networking, but real relationships that lead to opportunities, collaborations, and relationships.
People today are craving authenticity, depth, and real human interaction more than ever. Whether it’s business networking, investment partnerships, or even finding love, we all thrive when we are truly connected. My brand is not just about events or a directory, it’s about creating spaces where these connections happen naturally and effortlessly.

My mission is to create authentic connections that drive real impact, and I am passionate about supporting local brands and individuals who share this vision.
If you have a brand that aligns with this ethos and want to be part of something truly meaningful, let’s connect, I’d love to explore how we can collaborate and grow together.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Aspen may be known for Veuve showers and caviar bumps, but if you ask the locals, we’ll tell you, many of our favorite places are gone, or unaffordable to us. Take Cloud 9, for example, once our favorite place to eat lunch in the mountains, and even dance on tables all together, is now more about posing and posting to Instagram. I’m an East Coast girl, give me good friends, a raw bar and a bottle of something bubbly, and I’m good. If you’re looking for high-end Aspen luxury, there are other concierges in Aspen who can help you. My idea of luxury? Getting a loaf of fresh bread from Fiona McCullough at Granetti Panini in Carbondale, and a bottle of sparkling from my favorite liquor store, Of Grape & Grain, and skinning up a mountain under the setting sun, or skinning up Buttermilk for their Cliffhouse Full Moon Dinners. We’ve also gotten pretty good at knowing what restaurants are supportive of the locals and provide happy hour and bar menus like at Las Montañas and Clark’s Oyster Bar.

I also reach out to the restaurants who believe in the importance of staying true to the locals and who have amazing atmospheres, like Bear Den, to curate special menus just for us, turning an ordinary night into something truly memorable. And sometimes, instead of going out, we hit Whole Foods for frozen lobster tails and cook an intimate dinner at home, savoring the experience just as much as the meal itself.

When town gets chaotic, we escape to the hills. Recently, I had the most peaceful stay with friends at Beyul Retreat, where we spent the evening cooking together in a cozy cabin, stoking the wood-burning stove, then unwinding with a sauna and cold plunge under the stars. The next morning, we skinned through nine inches of fresh powder, carving out a day that felt like pure magic.

Forget luxury spas, we create our own. A hot yoga session at Emily Carpenter’s Vinmana Yoga, followed by a cold plunge into the icy Colorado river plunge, is all we need to feel completely renewed.

When we shop, we thrift. The Aspen Thrift Store is a favorite, not just for the hidden gems but because it gives back to local non-profits. Heirlooms and Susie’s in Basalt are also treasure troves for unique finds with character and history.

And while Aspen’s nightlife has been evolving, we still find places to dance. TACAW in Willits brings in great bands, Belly Up is a great venue bringing incredible bands, and now, Peak Aspen is putting the valley on the map for up-and-coming comedians.

So yes, Aspen can be luxurious, but for us, luxury isn’t about price tags, it’s about good people, good food, and real experiences. That’s the Aspen I know and love.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Absolutely! I want to give a huge shoutout to my Aspen Business Connect members, the incredible professionals, entrepreneurs, and business leaders who make this community so dynamic and inspiring. We are a network of individuals acting as our own concierges and driving success to each other. Watching this community grow and seeing the powerful connections that have formed; business partnerships, friendships, and even life-changing opportunities, has been incredibly rewarding.

I’m grateful for every member who has contributed to making Aspen Business Connect what it is today. They are the heart of this network, and I’m excited to continue creating opportunities that bring people together in intentional, impactful, and fun ways.

Website: https://www.aspenbusinessconnect.com/learnmore

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aspenreallife/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillianlivingston/

Twitter: https://x.com/AspenBizConnect

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/140879413234689

Other: https://www.facebook.com/aspenreallife
instagram.com/aspenbusinessconnect/

Image Credits
Jillian’s Headshot: Michele Cardamone Photography