Welcome to Meet The Elite, where we let you in on the lives of some of our top community members. Today we meet Michael B, a 2016 Elite with a whopping 151 reviews and counting.
Why did you start Yelping?
To start, it was a guilt thing. I was using the app all the time to find restaurants, barbers, etc., and didn’t want to be only a consumer, but also a contributor. I started to enjoy sharing my experiences, especially for those places that deliver an amazing experience. From TOMS to Janji to Water.org, once I find something I love, I’m intensely loyal to my favorite businesses.
Why is it “Sweet to be Elite”?
Being Elite is so fun! Everyone has a couple of foodie friends who are so fun to try new places with, right? Well, Yelp Elite is that on steroids. You comment on each other’s reviews, share recommendations, and even make new, real life friends through a shared love for food, drink, or whatever your interest.
What’s your favorite Yelp memory?
Last year, I moved from Philadelphia to Santa Monica, CA for a new job. My wife, pug, and I took eight days to drive across the country and did the whole trip using nothing but Airbnb and Yelp. It was awesome! We tried restaurants in places we would have never dreamed of without Yelp. From ribs in Kansas City, to the best Mexican in Utah, it was five stars all the way!
Why should someone visit LA?
Just Google “Weather LA” and enough said. But seriously, LA is so inspiring. I moved here to join a startup, but in part, I wanted to recalibrate my life’s priorities. LA’s weather, people, and energy have this incredible way of encouraging you to be better than you were yesterday. There’s always an open bedroom at my house for friends to visit!
Describe your ideal day in LA.
I’m a total outdoors person. My ideal day is digging Insta over breakfast, a swim at Santa Monica Swim Center in the morning, an acai bowl at The Hive for lunch, a hike in the Santa Monica Mountains in the afternoon, a Vietnamese coffee post-hike from Groundwork Coffee Co., and dinner at Tar & Roses with too much wine.
What motivates you to write?
I run customer experience (to fund my expensive food habit) at my job, so I know the importance of positive reviews versus critical reviews. Like most things in life, it’s easy to complain, but taking the time to really celebrate those proprietors who deliver a great meal, cocktail, or whatever your fancy, is important. This world needs more positivity! Can I get an amen?
About the Yelp Elite Squad: The Yelp Elite Squad is our way of recognizing people who are active in the Yelp community – people who are role models both on and off the site. Elite-worthiness is based on a number of things, including well-written reviews, high quality tips, a detailed personal profile, an active voting and complimenting record, and a history of playing well with others. Elites must use their real name on their account, have a real (and clear!) profile photo, and be of legal drinking age in their country. You can read more, and even nominate yourself at yelp.com/elite
