Anyone who has participated in a Project Dinner Table event or shopped at the Downtown FEED (Fremont East Entertainment District) Farmers Market knows community means a lot to Gina Gavan, the creator of both events. Gavan runs her creative marketing and branding company, Tribal Minds, out of an office on the second floor of Emergency Arts, where she develops ways to bring residents of Las Vegas together.

“As a community, it is so important to connect over our ideas,” says Gavan. “From there, it’s up to us to take collective risks to implement those ideas with purpose and passion.”

Gifted when it comes to building community, Gavan appreciates the way a downtown lifestyle naturally fosters human connection.

“I live in The Ogden, so I’m fortunate enough to leave my car parked and walk to my office,” says Gavan. “As I walk down the street or sit in the Beat Coffeehouse doing business over a French Press, I always run into acquaintances and friends. We share thoughts and bounce ideas off one another. They fill me with optimism and remind me that the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well here.”

Gavan, the self-proclaimed “Spoonbender,” loves to support her fellow entrepreneurs, knowing they share a common vision for a vibrant downtown. In addition to The Beat Coffeehouse, she frequents the El Cortez Parlour Bar, Le Thai, Artifice, Bar+Bistro, DuPar’s in the Golden Gate, Lady Silvia, Triple George Grill, Mundo, Downtown Cocktail Room, Vanguard, Insert Coin(s), Beauty Bar, Griffin, and Don’t Tell Mama.

Gavan looks forward to the day every district downtown is buzzing with people living, working, and walking in the area.

“Now is the perfect time for people to find their way back to the heart of our city to build a stronger and more sustainable community,” she says. “We will achieve as big as we dream.”

PHOTO: Gina Gavan by Bryan Hainer