Sherry Nguyen’s Speed Scouting brings Richmond creatives together — fast

Richmond has no shortage of creative talent. But finding the right people to collaborate with? That’s another story.

Sherry Nguyen, a local fashion designer and creative powerhouse, knows the struggle all too well. That’s why she created Speed Scouting, a networking event that flips the concept of speed dating into something way more useful—helping brands and creatives connect quickly and intentionally.

“It’s basically speed dating, but for your career,” Nguyen said with a laugh. “Love is cool and all, but we need opportunities, too!”

Held every other Sunday at Brickwood BBQ, Speed Scouting gives models, photographers, graphic designers, and other creatives a chance to sit down—five minutes at a time—with brands and businesses looking for talent. Instead of endlessly scrolling social media for gigs or sending out cold emails, attendees get face-to-face time with decision makers who are actively looking for people to work with.

And it’s not just for those in the fashion industry.

“Let’s say you’re in real estate and need a photographer for your listings. Or maybe you’re a business owner looking for a social media manager. This is for you, too,” Nguyen explained. “Of course, creatives are the focus—because that’s my world—but really, it’s about making the right connections, no matter your field.”

Each event features different “scouts” (the brands and businesses looking for talent). Some past participants include Threaded, a men’s fashion event, and the Face Card Agency, a creative community founded by Ryan Asia. 

Each brand comes in with a different set of needs. “Some need models, but others are looking for graphic designers, videographers, or even people to work behind the scenes,” Nguyen said. “It’s about filling the gaps in their teams.”

Nguyen is no stranger to the fashion world. As the founder of Urban Academy, a streetwear brand, and an experienced stylist, marketer, and event planner, she understands just how hard it is to build the right team.

“I kept thinking, ‘How do I make networking less awkward and more efficient?’” she said. “There are tons of networking events, but I wanted to create something that actually gets people in front of the right people—quickly.”

That’s when the idea hit her. “Speed dating! Everyone knows what it is, and all I had to do was swap out ‘dating’ for ‘scouting.’”

Speed Scouting is set up with three to four brands at each event, each with their own table. Attendees rotate between them, spending five minutes with each before moving on. There’s no need to sign up in advance—just show up, sign in at the door, and jump in.

“I love that it forces you to get straight to the point,” Nguyen said. “It’s perfect for people who hate small talk but need connections.”

For brands interested in participating, Nguyen personally reaches out or welcomes them to contact her directly. “I just want to make sure I can actually help them find what they need,” she said.

Richmond is full of creatives, but Nguyen sees one major problem: they don’t always have the right spaces to connect.

“There’s so much talent here, but we need more ways to come together,” she said. “And for people like me—fashion designers, stylists, photographers—finding the right team takes forever. This speeds up that process in a way that just makes sense.”