Members Only: Alyssa Bonk

We are so grateful for the people who help make District Fray possible, so we’re highlighting them in our Members Only series. Become a member at districtfray.com/subscribe. 

This month, we meet Alyssa Bonk, founder of Luck & Hustle PR. Bonk gives us the lowdown on working in PR, how to do what’s best for you and of course, her favorite places in D.C. 

District Fray: What do you do for a living, and how did you get there?
Alyssa Bonk: I am founder and principal of Luck & Hustle PR and communications and public relations manager for Leading DC (owned by John Rorapaugh). I also bartend for Mission Group (owned by Fritz Brogan and Reed Landry). As a PR and strategic marketing professional, I like to tell people I’m a professional fangirl and FOMO creator. I champion the businesses I care about and believe in to get them the recognition they deserve. I was finally able to find a home in this profession through a lot of trial and error and refusal to let others define me and what I wanted to do.  

What has been the most significant turning point in your career or your life?
The turning point for me came in my late twenties when I was working 80 to 100-hour weeks between PAC fundraising and the hospitality industry. I raised funds by day and bartended, served and hosted in restaurants at night. It was after getting burned out that I decided to fully commit to the hospitality industry.

What advice would you give to yourself right after graduation?
Focus on figuring out what you really want in life and what makes you happy. Then find a way to make a living out of that. Don’t worry about the conventional definition of success or get distracted by what other people think you should be doing. Success is creating a life you’re happy to live and looking at yourself in the mirror every morning with pride.

What do you most enjoy about being a District Fray member?
I love the personal stories District Fray tells and its commitment to amplify the voices who contribute to the cultural fabric of D.C. I love attending the events they curate and the diverse community of creatives they bring together.

Your neighborhood: Pentagon City is where I live, but I’d say the L from 14th Street (around Black Whiskey area) down to the end of U Street (as far down as Flash) is where you can usually find me hanging out. Favorite museum: National Gallery of Art. Go-to cuisine: I would say it’s a tie between Italian and Korean. 2023 goal: Travel as much as possible.

Learn more about Luck & Hustle PR at luckandhustlepr.com and follow Bonk on Instagram @alyssa_bonk.

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Emerson Dameron