Today we’d like to introduce you to Erika Desroches
Hi Erika, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was born and raised in New York by my Caribbean parents, who both immigrated to the U.S. when they were young. As the oldest child, I felt a lot of pressure to excel academically. My dad, in particular, wanted me to have even greater access to opportunities than he had, and while I knew his intentions were good, the pressure sometimes became overwhelming. I was a motivated student, consistently earning glowing report cards, but the constant push to “do better” than my best began to take a toll. By 6th grade, I developed a cough tic in response to the stress, and by my junior year of high school, I experienced my first episode of major depression. The combination of unprocessed grief from losing my grandparents and the pressures of applying to college left me feeling defeated.
During college, I became deeply involved in the NYC nightlife scene, using it as an escape from my ruminations. It wasn’t until 2017, at the age of 22, that I was diagnosed with bipolar II disorder and borderline personality disorder. I entered a rehabilitation center for treatment and continued my recovery through intensive outpatient therapy while attending school part-time.
After finishing college, I decided to move to Dallas in 2021 for a fresh start. I wanted to leave behind the nightlife that had dominated my life and focus on building a healthier path forward. This move marked a significant turning point, as I began to explore new ways of connecting with others and finding deeper, more meaningful connections without relying on alcohol.
At the beginning of 2022, I began to reconsider my relationship with alcohol. Despite significant improvements in my mental health, I still felt lonely and lacked the quality of connection I desired. In August 2022, I embarked on a social experiment to see how not drinking would impact the quality of my relationships. I discovered that dry socializing transformed my social life, bringing a sense of fulfillment I had never achieved while drinking. I realized that I often used alcohol as a way to check out and avoid being present and vulnerable. This experience inspired me to create The Zero Proof Social, a community-focused organization that hosts substance-free social events to promote meaningful connections and combat loneliness.
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?
It hasn’t been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges for me was getting through school. Much of my mental health struggles stemmed from the immense pressure to excel academically. This pressure led to a cycle of anxiety and depression, making it difficult to focus and stay motivated. It ended up taking me eight years to complete my bachelor’s degree, as my sense of value and self-worth were so deeply tied to the grades I earned. I remember one semester when I received a B in a class, and it completely unraveled me into a depressive episode.
After my diagnosis in 2017 and subsequent time in rehab, I spent a lot of time in therapy and started attending school part-time. This period was essential for my healing and allowed me to slowly rebuild my confidence and find a healthier balance.
When I finally finished school, I had many worries about my ability to hold down a job. I worked as a leasing agent for the first couple of years out of college before deciding to start my own business. Though I still experience doubt at times, looking back at where I started and where I am now reminds me that I’ve come a long way.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Zero Proof Social?
The Zero Proof Social’s mission is to cure loneliness one day at a time. We believe that alcohol and other substances can diminish the quality of social connections and prevent deep relationships. As both a small business and a meetup group, we are dedicated to cultivating genuine social interactions. Our small business specializes in organizing pop-up social events, such as dry happy hours, yoga socials, and other fun activities featuring dry cocktails. We also offer non-alcoholic mobile bartending for various occasions, including baby showers, weddings, and corporate parties. Our services include customizing the menu to accommodate any dietary needs and flavor preferences, providing an elevated experience with premium non-alcoholic spirits. Our meetup group events focus on creating accessible opportunities for substance-free social connection, primarily organizing speed-friending walks with plans to expand to connection quests, crafts nights, workshops, and other activities that promote social interaction and friendship-building.
Our events are structured with those who are socially anxious in mind. We recognize how challenging it can be to attend an alcohol-free event alone, especially if you’re socially anxious. Our goal is to empower people to socialize without alcohol, allowing them to decide whether they truly want an alcoholic beverage, rather than feeling pressured to drink because they’re unsure how to navigate a social experience without it.
We are most proud of our commitment to fighting loneliness. Our brand is built on the core values of inclusivity, intentionality, authenticity, wellness and growth. We believe that everyone is deserving of community and that one should not have to alter or change themselves in order to belong.
Whether you are looking to host an event with elevated non-alcoholic beverages or join a community of like-minded individuals seeking meaningful interactions, we have something for you. Our offerings are designed to cater to your needs and preferences, ensuring that every event is memorable and enriching.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Admittedly, I’m still working on getting better at building professional connections, but I’ve learned a few things that have been really helpful. Meeting my mentor, Chris Marshall, was a game-changer. I connected with him through his non-alcoholic business course, Sans Bar Academy. It’s been invaluable to have someone who understands my industry and can offer guidance and support.
Over the past year, I’ve made it a point to attend a lot of networking events. It was a bit challenging at first, but I’m slowly getting better at connecting and maintaining contact with the people I meet. One thing I’ve noticed is that consistency is key. The more events you attend, the more you start running into the same people. This familiarity helps build relationships over time, as you get more opportunities to interact and learn about each other’s interests and goals.
If you’re looking for a mentor, I highly recommend checking out the DEC Network’s mentorship program. It’s a great resource for entrepreneurs seeking guidance and support. Just keep showing up, be open to meeting new people, and don’t be afraid to reach out to those who inspire you. Building these connections takes time, but it’s worth the effort.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thezeroproofsocial.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thezeroproofsocial/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089517493328
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ptNVBeqYYiFEf1fbH7JQg
