In a conversation with the lifestyle duo Ginger Rock and Phil Davel, they opened up about their personal “go-to’s” in life and relationships, dropped some interesting leads or two, and gave us some insight on what’s up for 2024.
As you get ready to embark on the 15-piece Q&A journey, don’t forget to check out the comment section. We have invited some close family, friends, and sponsors to add a secret or two.
1. Everyone wants to know this one. How long have you two known each other?
Phil: We met in Ginger’s dance studio some 22 years ago. Not many people know this, but she is one of the best choreographers and dance teachers around and has earned her place in the dancing and entertainment communities. I remember that we immediately clicked. Effortless. Our first projects obviously involved dancing, and we have worked on shows and events held at various venues, like the Emperor’s Palace. We have also taught ballroom and Latin American classes together.
Ginger: Forever
2. What do the words “This Is Us” mean to you?
Phil: To me, it means the bond and relationship between people. Every single person in this world can relate to being in some kind of relationship with at least one other person or other people. So make the words your own in your own life and relationships. And choose to take the high road. This is what we stand for. “This is Us” is so much more than promoting the lifestyle Ginger and I live. For me, it is also about how we live it. Trust, loyalty, being true to your word, and bringing the absolute best virtues out of each other and each other’s lives
Ginger: Fall in love with life and share your passions. Make every moment count. Care deeply and forgive easily. Push yourself to the limit, and never take no for an answer.
3. Where is this venture going?
Phil: Personally, I don’t think “This is Us” has an end destination. We have started this venture by making tiktok’s dance to our favorite songs and showcasing some of our favorite brands. But it has completely changed in a matter of months. We are building lasting relationships with our brand sponsors. We enjoy what we do because we not only believe in it, we actually live it. Add our energy, creativity, and fun, and “This is Us” is going to include more brands, new places, and people all over the world. Yes, “This is us” is going international. So I don’t see an end destination.
Ginger: We’ve done some great foundational work in 2023, discovered our own path, and set amazing goals for the future. THIS venture is spreading some wings to fly!
4. What challenges do you encounter when on shoots?
Phil: To be honest, the biggest one is to stop making jokes and laughing. Out of a hundred shots, about three—ok, maybe ten—will be on point. Thank goodness for patient photographers! Bless you. Ginger and I work extremely well together, and if the energy doesn’t feel right, we have no problem stopping everything we are busy with, taking a few steps back, and relying on each other to get it right. It works like magic, and I love her for that.
Ginger: For me, sometimes when the pressure of the situation kicks in, I get quite nervous. Phil steps in, and whatever the situation, he calms it down and gets us refocused. Only then does it flow naturally. Without him, I will never be able to do it.
5. Is it your private living space in the content or a staged environment?
Phil: We promote our own lifestyle, so we would not go to someone else’s house to create content. We use our own props and environment in our own real-life setting. We do enjoy shooting at other locations, but we keep things authentic and as real as possible, i.e., resembling our lifestyle as much as possible. To add to the previous answer about the challenges, finding the perfect location can be challenging. We have found that we have to feel comfortable and at home wherever we shoot. The wrong location can easily become a dire mistake.
Ginger: What you see is most definitely a private living environment. I shoot most lifestyle content in the comfort of my home, as that is what we share. We share our everyday lives, food, likes, and hobbies. If we shoot content in venues and shops, that’s obviously in public areas.
6. What’s the This Is Us content secret as you guys ACE every single shot?
Phil: I would say we have three secrets. The first would be the prep work that goes into a shoot. The second is something we can’t explain. But it is the natural vibe and connection we have and share between the two of us. This is not something we ever fake; it is real. So we pretty much just go with that in every shot. Lastly,we have never argued since we’ve known each other. So we share a sense of calmness and peace that goes a long way.
Ginger: It’s a mix of the two, lol. Energy between two people is very important. You have to be comfortable—never mind in your own skin, but with your partner in crime. I think we just understand each other.
7. How much prep work goes into the content shoot (video or photo)?
Phil: To elaborate on my first point in the previous question, the answer is a lot! Ginger would be the one that gets all the credit here, as she is the one that would create and design the mood boards in collaboration with the brand representative and photographer. She is brilliant with this, and she also handles the activation. Without her, a shoot would just not be possible. Typically, we need at least a week to prep. Everything from the wardrobe to the hair, nails, make-up, transport, time available to shoot, and special arrangements at the venue need to be 100% pre-planned, and it takes at least half a day to a full day to get dressed up and ready. We usually don’t allow any other people at a shoot other than the photographer(s). Believe it or not, this saves a lot of unnecessary prep work.
Ginger: The creative side kicks in first, as we are very hands-on with everything from the moodboard to the activations. That will indicate the prep needed for the wardrobe. The beulah preparations start about 1 month before any shoot that involves a super healthy diet plan mixed in with some exercise. Hair, nails, and makeup get prepped about a week before the shoot, and sometimes we need a sunbed session or two. During this time, lots of communication between all parties involved is very important. If you miss by an inch, you will miss by a mile on the day of the shoot.
8. How do you pick the sponsors you work with?
Phil: Firstly, they have to resonate with the lifestyle we are promoting. We are extremely loyal to our sponsors and would not easily pick a brand of product we already promote. Like I stated earlier, we have personal relationships with the sponsors and follow a hands-on approach. We mostly get approached by sponsors, so if we pick a sponsor, we do so mindful of a long-term relationship with them.
Ginger: We only use products we are very religious about. I will not be able to ever bring just any product into our lifestyle as a choice if I’m not totally head over heels about it. It will show.
9. Do you have favorites?
Phil: Oh yes, I guess I have a few, and Ginger has a few.
Ginger: Of course, and everyone knows. lol! They own titles like “My First Love.” Or “The Love of My Life.”
10. What is the most critical thing about working with a sponsor?
Phil: Accountability.
Ginger: Consistency.
11. What’s your favorite type of;
Phil:
a. Flower: Red Poppies.
b. Cartoon/superhero character: Tintin.
c. Drink: strawberry-flavored sparkling water.
d. Color: Blue.
e. Time of day: late at night.
f. Holiday: Overseas Trip.
g. Comfort food: Maynards Jelly Jerseys.
h. Tree: Pine tree.
Ginger:
a. Flowers: Jasmine, Lavender, Rose, Lilly’s, Sunflowers.
b. Cartoon/Superhero characters: He Man and She Ra.
c. Drink: Sparkling wine.
d. Color: Blue.
e. Time of day: I can find something amazing in every moment of time, night or day.
f. Holiday: Beach location.
g. Comfort food: Pasta.
h. Tree: Weeping Willow.
12. What do you like most about your partner?
Phil: Her ability to get things done in an intuitive way. I always tell her that when things are in planning, it may seem to everybody that her head is all over the place, but when the bell rings, it’s magic. On a more personal level, she has always meant the world to me. She leads by example; she is brutally honest, and her loyalty is unquestionable. She makes my world a better place.
Ginger: Intellectual, warm, calm, and mindful.
13. If you were both stranded on a deserted island, how long would you make it?
Phil: Forever
Ginger: Contrary to some beliefs, we have some strong survival skills. Maybe we like it so much that we want to stay forever.
14. What do your next 6 months in the “this is us” world look like?
Phil: In a nutshell, expect to see us taking the media and the sponsors to new destinations. Our lifestyle includes traveling.
Ginger: We have a few tricks up our sleeves. Taking to the sky, visiting some friends, and sharing our everyday thoughts with like-minded people.
15. Any new sponsors joining in 2024?
Phil : Absolutely.
Ginger: Yes, amazing new ones will be joining our journey. All in good time.
We can’t wait to share the amazing journey with everyone. Keep your eyes open for giveaways and fun competitions!
As we always say, watch THIS space…
“Fall in love with life and share your passions. Make every moment count.”
More people need to hear… and do this.