Bringing Denver Together With Culture, Style, and Philanthropy With Rachel Smith of Clayton Members Club
WRITTEN BY ANNIE BLOJ // CULTURE & STYLE EDITOR
PHOTOGRAPHED BY ESTHER LEE LEACH // STYLED BY JACK SAVOIE
CLOTHING: A LINE BOUTIQUE // LOCATION: CLAYTON MEMBERS CLUB
Rachel Smith, the Head of Membership of the Clayton Members Club, is working to bring a new community concept to Cherry Creek. Her experiences working for venerated member clubs in New York City and Los Angeles, such as the legendary Soho House, has given her unique expertise in bringing together people from various backgrounds, talents, and interests. Clayton Members Club aims to build a community of entrepreneurs, creatives, community leaders, and big thinkers that embraces diversity and inclusion as one of their core values.
Annie Bloj: Everyone is buzzing about the Clayton Members Club. Can you share how you got your start within the world of member clubs and what drew you to the idea?
Rachel Smith: I didn't naturally find my way to Membership Clubs; they found me. I had always had my own companies, but the recession in 2008 hit hard. I was living in NYC with my partner, and someone reached out to her to be on the Soho House Committee (she is a well-known gallerist). I was like, "ew, no!". At the time, everyone knew Soho House from the famous Sex and the City episode where they broke in and pretended to be members. It didn't feel like anything I would be interested in. My partner came home from the dinner and told me they were looking for a new Director of Membership. I had no experience, but I was completely charmed after meeting the owner Nick Jones. Nick explained how Soho House was a club for creatives. No bankers, no finance guys, and there was a strict no corporate attire/ no ties rule. I loved the idea of creating space and opportunity for NYC's creative set. However, I didn't know that my first 'job' was purging the Soho house membership of all the corporate types they let in during the recession. I have a lifetime's worth of stories from that, but I was hooked around the idea of creating a community that served creative people, gave them opportunities and an audience. I still am!
AB: Clayton Members Club seems like it's been a long time coming for Denver. How did you begin attracting members, what is your vetting process like, and how do you work towards inclusion while remaining members- only?
RS: The team has been working on this project for years, and I came on almost two years ago. I always start by meeting as many people in a city doing the most exciting and city-defining things. For instance, when I met Juan Padro, he then introduced me to five contacts, and those five people introduced me to more. After two years, we have an outstanding Clayton Membership Committee- made up of 40 people who define the city and how exciting it is now, including Cherry Creek Fashion’s Esther Lee Leach! I am proud to say the committee is representative of our goals for the Clayton Membership- 50% BIPOC, with significant representation across gender expression, sexuality, and interests. A bit different from Soho House, Clayton is the club for creative, social, and business leaders. I love thinking about the gorgeous collision of these groups.
As for attracting members, we created a peer-to-peer model. The membership committee nominates people they think fit the Clayton Five Pillars- to be Curious, Fun, Generous, Authentic, and Inclusive. Even if it's just a few people, the committee has helped us create the first group of Founding Members; these members have been invited to join, don't need to apply, but a committee nomination is required. From there, Founding Members nominate people to receive pre-public applications. After that, applications are open to the public. We currently have over 1500 nominated people by members or that have inquired or requested applications.
For the vetting process, the application asks people to explain, in detail, how they embody the Clayton Pillars in their own lives. I love that we will be 'vetting' people on the content of their character-not what they do or how much money they make. Clayton is inclusive in many ways. We ask all members to sign our OEI statement (Opportunity, Equity, and Inclusion), and our Founding member invite group is incredibly balanced and diverse.
We have also created a category for partner and collaborative members- people that bring something of value to Clayton (they create programming, teach classes, loan their artwork, or have a nonprofit we will support with the Clayton Contributes fund). Clayton covers their membership dues in exchange for what they bring to Clayton or are doing for the larger community. Again, I am so proud of this model!
AB: One of the many benefits of membership (among the pool, access to the in-house restaurants, etc.) is the events that will bring members together. Can you share the inspiration for these experiences?
RS: We believe Clayton can be the cultural hub of Denver. Think art openings, dance performances, pop-up restaurants, panel discussions, a vogue ball, a carnival, a pride party, etc. Our programming is fantastic! Lydia Howerton (our director of lifestyle and events ) has been tireless in creating the most interesting, exciting, and FUN calendar I have seen. One of the best parts is that it's all by members for members.
AB: How are you and the team behind Clayton Members Club and Hotel pivoting during these tricky times? What do you envision for the opening?
RS: Nothing is more important than safety. Having our members feel safe and comfortable in our space is crucial. The benefit of a members club and having control over how many people we open with, how many guests they can bring, etc., will hopefully make people feel very safe at Clayton. We are vehemently following all city and state guidelines and are working with Best in Class operators. The General Manager, Aaron Coburn, is the strongest, most thoughtful, and diligent GM I have ever worked with.
AB: How do you see the Club supporting and shaping the cultural life of Denver? How will Clayton differ from other members-only clubs around the globe?
RS: So many ways! I am thrilled and proud to share that we are doing something with Clayton, which I have never seen any other club do before. It's the reason I committed to this project indefinitely- moving from Soho in Manhattan to Denver. At the same time that Clayton (the members club) opens, we are launching Clayton Contributes. This arm of the business is our 501c3 that we have completely integrated into every element of the club. A sustainable and regenerating fund, members will be able to nominate local nonprofits and philanthropists to be a part of our Impact Group. We are hard at building the Clayton Contributes Advisory Board, made up of the most amazing and established philanthropists I have ever seen.
Every check at Clayton will have a 1% fee that goes directly into the Clayton Contributes Fund. Members will have the opportunity to educate themselves around all the incredible philanthropic work other members are doing. Members can volunteer, fundraise, and take part in what we are calling 'experiential philanthropy". It's just awesome! We are committed to harnessing our membership's collective power to have a positive impact on the city of Denver as a whole. Kendra Anderson, who first came on as our OEI consultant, has played the largest part in shaping this fund with me, and I have never been more honored to work with someone. Kendra is not only a Denver icon but the most talented colleague I could ask for. This fund, this club, it's going to be game-changing; for Denver and the industry as a whole
AB: Rachel it has been so enlightening to find out so much more about Clayton Members Club and the level of detail that has gone into the launch of this project. The ethos, goals, events, and the way that giving back to the community is built into the experience is so exciting. I cannot wait to spend time in the space and soak up the creativity that I’m sure will give such inspiring energy to this concept.
Rachel Smith: @rslovesbz
Clayton Members Club: @claytonmembersclub
Writer: @theblojreport
Photographer: @estherleeleach
Stylist: @thesavoiedaily
Clothing: @alineboutique