Today we’d like to introduce you to Natasha Magino.
Hi Natasha, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
The Vibe Room was born out of rejection—literally.
Back in 2016-2017, I had my heart set on moving to New York to work for a major publication like Complex, Fader, or Vice. I had the qualifications, sent countless applications, and even tried networking my way in, but the rejection emails just kept coming. Giving up wasn’t an option for me, though—I’m a Taurus, so persistence is in my nature.
Finally, I landed an in-person interview at a well-known media company. I took the three-hour train ride to NYC, met with multiple Account Directors who all seemed to like me, and then… the final interview happened. The hiring manager walked in, and I immediately had a gut feeling he wasn’t interested. Still, I powered through, finished the interview, and even got a tour of the office. I was told I had one more interview with someone I’d be working closely with, which went great—I was even promised an offer letter. Then the next morning, I got an email apologizing and explaining why they were rejecting me. That was my breaking point. I felt drained, frustrated, and decided to put my dream of working for a publication on hold.
A few months later, in 2017, I started a podcast called We’ll Figure It Out with a close friend. It was all about navigating your 20s in the DMV—scrappy, fun, and sometimes chaotic. One episode, titled The Vibe Room, started as us venting about the monotony of our 9-to-5 lives. We talked about how there weren’t enough creative spaces where artists could feel safe, be themselves, and truly vibe. At first, I imagined a physical space, but living in the DMV is expensive, and my $35K salary wasn’t going to make that happen. So, I pivoted—I decided to build a publication instead.
That episode lit a fire under me. I had my friend Shaakira Deloatch, who later became the curatorial director, start reaching out to artists to feature. My podcast co-host, Isabel Yu, helped with marketing. I designed a digital magazine, and other friends pitched in by writing stories and handing out flyers for our first event. Before I knew it, The Vibe Room had a life of its own.
Fast forward seven years—team members have come and gone, but I’ve been the one constant. This is my baby. It’s not always easy—being a business owner means wearing multiple hats, facing frustrations, and constantly problem-solving. But it all becomes worth it when someone tells me how much The Vibe Room means to them, when artists get excited for the next issue, or when new partnerships come our way. The opportunities keep flowing in, and it’s all because of one thing—consistency. I’m grateful for every lesson I’ve learned along the way.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but we’ve kept pushing through. Before the pandemic, things were going great—I had a solid team, which gave me the flexibility to balance my 9-to-5, personal life, and even search for funding. But when COVID hit, everything changed. People moved away, stress took its toll, and suddenly, it was just me and one other editor, Jasmin Dixon, trying to juggle everything—marketing, creative direction, accounting, and everything else that kept The Vibe Room running.
It was exhausting, but it also kept us sane. The work gave us a distraction from the chaos of the world shutting down. We tried bringing on new team members, but I quickly realized that some people just wanted to be attached to something “cool” rather than actually putting in the work. That led to a rotating door of contributors, which made things even harder. And when we finally started hosting events again after quarantine, we were hit with another challenge—our audience numbers had dropped drastically. It was discouraging, but we kept going.
Then, we had our first R&B Night in partnership with 7DrumCity/The Pocket, a feature from Issue 7. We were blown away when the event completely packed out—the energy and excitement were back. That night also led to us meeting our now-designer, Sapp, and bringing on Alandria Marrow, who had previously done copy editing for us, as a full-time editor. From there, we kept the momentum going. Our Issue 10 celebration brought out over 100 people, and when we dropped our first-ever art book in December 2024, nearly 200 people showed up to support.
It’s still a rollercoaster—there are always ups and downs, but we push through because it’s always worth it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Vibe Room?
The Vibe Room is a multimedia platform dedicated to celebrating and amplifying underrepresented creatives and entrepreneurs in the DMV and Baltimore. Through our magazines, art books, and curated events, we provide a space where artists can be seen, heard, and truly appreciated. Our goal is to bridge the gap between emerging talent and the broader creative community, giving artists the exposure, resources, and support they deserve.
We specialize in storytelling through print and digital media, highlighting artists, musicians, designers, and visionaries who are shaping the culture in unique ways. Beyond publishing, we curate high-energy networking events, exhibitions, and music showcases that bring creatives together in an environment that fosters collaboration and inspiration.
What sets us apart is our authenticity and consistency—we’re not just another publication covering mainstream creatives; we actively seek out the hidden gems, the people pushing boundaries, and the communities making waves outside of the typical spotlight. Every feature, event, and release is crafted with intention, ensuring that our platform remains a genuine reflection of DMV and Baltimore’s creative spirit.
One of our proudest moments was the release of our first-ever art book in December 2024, which drew nearly 200 attendees to celebrate local talent. It was a milestone that solidified our impact and reminded us why we do what we do.
For those new to The Vibe Room, we invite you to explore our magazines, art books, and events—whether you’re an artist looking for a platform, a creative seeking community, or someone who simply loves discovering fresh talent, we’ve created a space for you. Our mission is to keep documenting, supporting, and elevating the creatives who make our region so vibrant, and we can’t wait for you to be a part of it.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
One of my favorite podcasts is The Friendzone—it’s a mix of mental health, pop culture, and real-life experiences hosted by Francheska, Dustin, and Assante. Listening to them has always felt like having older siblings guiding me through life. As creatives themselves, they share their own journeys, the ups and downs of chasing their dreams, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. Their conversations have given me so many creative and business resources, encouragement, and much-needed laughs.
Attending events like the Black Artists Fair at Coppin University has also been incredibly valuable. It’s given me the opportunity to make new connections, learn from other creatives, and discover resources that help keep The Vibe Room growing. Being in spaces where creativity, business, and community come together always fuels my drive and reminds me why I do what I do
Pricing:
- $40 Artbook 1
- $20 Artbook 1 Misprint
- $10 Issue 10 Magazine
- $5 Older print magazines
- $3 Digital magazines
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theviberoom.me/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_vibe_room/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/th.viberoom/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-vibe-room
- Twitter: https://x.com/the_vibe_room/
