Story Viebranz
📍 San Francisco, CA | Portfolio Operations at a VC -- basically I help CTOs of the worlds largest brands find their next great piece of tech
📝 Editor’s Note
Some say you become an adult when you turn 18 or when you live on your own for the first time. According to my wife, we just became adults because we finally started paying for Netflix.
For the past five years, we’ve been using one of her best friend’s ex-boyfriend’s family account. Don’t judge us, you know you’ve done it too. Some of you are probably viewing this newsletter from a phone that is still linked to a family plan.
If you do use Netflix, I recommend going to Rotten Tomatoes where you can search with a filter for Netflix shows. I trust Rotten reviews and I love this feature.
Without further ado….
Why Story?
Story was kind enough to reach out about a profile after finding Rambull through a friend-of-a-friend. She is also a UVA grad and has an interesting path living in SF and working in VC.
Self-Description
Proud Aquarius, NJ native, living out a lifelong (ask my parents) California dream. I have never said no to a cold plunge, no matter the temp.
Story’s Recommendations
Written in her own words…
Digital Tool
I am generally a pretty analog person and I sort of operate in this state of managed chaos without the help of apps or hacky tools. But TimeHop is a total hoot -- it refreshes every day to serve up fun photo memories from that exact day on previous years. It's also a great way to remember birthdays and connect with friends. I'm a huge fan of shooting someone a text out of the blue to say HEY LOOK at this photo of you from this day in 2010.
Product
Is anyone else trying to get better sleep and smile more in 2024? Enter the Duxiana Travel Pillow. The Swedes have created micro spring technology (whatever that means) but what you need to know is its perfect. Its small, sooo soft, bouncy yet firm, luxurious, blissful, therapeutic for neck pain.. It says ‘Travel’ in the name because it has a cute carrying case but I sleep with this pillow every single night at home since receiving it for xmas (thanks mom!!!!).
Food and Bev
Two staples that are always in my pantry and elevate every single salad, entree, snack, moment etc. Also can be a gift that is guaranteed to delight your dinner party host!
Semifreddis Super Garlic Croutons and Fly By Jing Sichuan Chili Crisp
Content
These quirky British teens are hard not to love!! It basically follows the son of a renowned sex therapist and the constant embarrassment and unexpected popularity that her profession brings him. Relatable teenage drama. But I actually can't stop watching this show for the scenery. Its set in a Welsh fishing village. I did look up the main characters house online and found that the property is actually for sale.....
Brand
This is a column in the NYT that I read weekly. It publishes micro-stories submitted by New Yorkers that detail the charming, funny, nostalgic, human experiences that people have in the City. I love Met Diary. It celebrates simplicity, observation and the sweetness of connection that can be found anywhere -- public transportation, the coffee cart guy, that man you once saw on a park bench, taking your kids to school, the Opera!
Gift
If you happen to have any Cincinatti sports fans in your life, this is a must for gear. My boyfriend (hi Max) is from Cincinnati and last Christmas he gave me a Bengals sweatshirt. It has the Marlborough logo on it but underneath it says "Marlburrow". Its epic — and plenty more fun ones on the site - Who Dey!
Plug
Check out and/or make a gift to Shatterproof!! They are an amazing organization I work with that is putting money and resources behind increasing access to addiction recovery programs. Many of us have close friends who have struggled with substance abuse and Shatterproof's work saves lives.
Want to get in touch with Story? Email her at storyviebranz@gmail.com
P.S. Check out, What’s in my NOW, a substack from Claudia Dawson. I thought the quote in the most recent profile from Kevin Beach was interesting perspective:
Astronaut Jim Lovell said he looked back at the earth from space and realized, you don’t go to heaven when you die. You go to heaven when you’re born.
Go Story!!! We love you!!!
100 percent agree on becoming adult when you pay for Netflix. My sister and I shared an ex boyfriend on mines for years😅