Today we’d like to introduce you to Addison and Oliver Abramson.
Hi Addison, Can you briefly walk us through you and your brother’s story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was always fascinated by the “Nature vs. Nurture” concept — how much of one’s personality is genetic versus shaped by one’s environment? Growing up in Baltimore with my younger brother, Oliver, I always referred to this theory. We shared many similarities early on, but ended up taking completely different paths throughout our lives. Now, in our mid-twenties and 1,300 miles apart, we ironically feel closer than ever before.
My brother and I were fortunate to have been raised amongst amazing friends and family; Our mom, a talented artist, and dad, a passionate musician, constantly orchestrated gatherings showcasing art and music. Whether for fundraisers, holidays, or birthdays — they were always focused on connection rather than financial gain. As my sister, Kaya, got all of their artistic genes, my brother and I took more of an interest in social activities.
In college, that social spirit took shape in different forms. I captained my college lacrosse team, while Oliver took on the role of social chair in his fraternity. Although in different settings, we both worked together with our peers to make special things happen.
After graduating, I moved to Fort Lauderdale and Oliver moved to Austin. We both started with minimal connections, but were eager to meet new people and immerse ourselves in our new cities. Over time, we built strong networks of friends and developed many hobbies centered around the outdoors, music, health & wellness.
As our events gained traction in South Florida, we were waiting for the perfect moment to bring First Reef into the Austin scene. When I had a bachelor party with my childhood best friends scheduled in Austin, I saw an opportunity to collaborate with Oliver while creating a core memory for my hometown crew. We then debuted our first Austin event, Lost in Austin, at Estelle’s Social Lounge. We attracted over 500 attendees and received rave reviews from all who danced with us. Following that success, we hosted an even larger party, The Garden of Groove, at the prime rooftop venue, IYKYK. What made this event so special was not only that our whole family was in attendance, but also that we all worked together from promotion, stage design, and all the way through the event’s execution.
We realized that, instead of the usual routines of expensive nights out, we could leverage our connections to create unique experiences that truly resonate with people. From hosting rooftop gatherings to organizing sporting events, our goal first and foremost is to connect friends and foster community.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Building First Reef has been incredibly rewarding, but it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Crafting an event brand from scratch is challenging—turning a vision into something tangible takes patience and dedication. In the beginning, it was all about pitching an idea without much to show for it; there were plenty of rejections before finding aligned opportunities. As we developed a reputable track record with our growing following, doors began to open leading to new possibilities.
The learning curve in event curating is real, especially in a social-focused industry where you’re always juggling public engagement with behind-the-scenes planning. Balancing the brand, full-time careers, and personal lives has been demanding, but it keeps things exciting. We are grateful for each lesson and every step forward as we continue to grow and refine the First Reef experience.
The biggest lesson? Quality over Quantity. We focus on taking the proper time and planning to build events that resonate rather than packing the calendar and diluting the product. We understand people lead busy lives, and we want our events to be special rather than routine.
As you know, we’re big fans of First Reef. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
First Reef is proud to be one of the most versatile event companies in the country. What truly sets us apart is that every event is entirely different. We specialize in a wide range of offerings, ensuring that we cater to a diverse range of interests. Spanning from our nightlife concerts to wholesome activities, we strive to engage with every member of our community.
Although First Reef started in Florida, we’ve since spread across the country. We’ve hosted events in 3 other states and have no plans of slowing down any time soon. From here, the only way is up, and we will continue to dig our roots deeper into the local communities of South Florida, Austin, and beyond.
In our existence we have hosted / collaborated on:
Rooftop Events
Pool Parties
Boat Parties
Nightclub Takeovers
Party Bus Experiences
Beach Cleanups
Beach Runs
Charity Golf Tournaments
Volleyball Tournaments
and more
All of that sounds incredible, do you have anything unique upcoming that is open to the public?
We are excited to announce our upcoming Game Show experience, First Reef Feud, at The Austin Garden & Studio on November 21st. We are collaborating with GameOn! ATX to feature head-to-head competitions between 12 teams of locals testing their wits in a survey showdown.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Most of our events include collaborations with like-minded communities, combining strengths to create one-of-a-kind experiences that resonate with our attendees and partners alike. These partnerships don’t just elevate the events; they bring together people who share a vision for meaningful connection and positive impact. We work to inspire our attendees to live life to the fullest while making the world a better place.
Our platform is built on a commitment to preserving local environments by partnering with charities that share our passion for protecting the planet. We aim to donate a portion of event proceeds to these organizations while giving them a spotlight to showcase their impactful work.
With a versatile, adventurous community, we’re always excited to explore fresh possibilities—especially when collaborating with industry leaders to make new experiences possible. All event opportunities can be discussed via our email firstreef.co@gmail.com
Contact Info:
- Website: www.firstreef.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstreef.co/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@First_reef
- soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/first-reef
- Other: https://posh.vip/g/first-reef
