Under the Influence: The Power of an Authentic Voice

By Dina Novarr–

San Francisco has long been a city where food meets feeling. We cry over oysters, whisper sweet nothings to our single-origin pour overs, and Instagram our way through $28 “farm-forward” cocktails garnished with herbs that taste like generational trauma.

But this week, our beloved city served up something extra juicy: a full-bodied scandal at a Bay Area cafe, where things recently went from “wine and unwind” to “whine and wound up.”

It all began when local TikTok creator @itskarlabb shared a now-viral storytime video about a brand collaboration gone sour. In the clip (now clocking millions of views and a healthy dose of public outrage), she claimed the chef mocked her for having “only” 15,000 followers.

Within hours, armchair sommeliers across TikTok pounced. Sleuths identified the culprit, dragging the restaurant into the virtual town square, Yelp reviews in hand, torches lit with digital fury. The reckoning had arrived.

To their credit, the cafe moved quickly. They issued an apology, distanced themselves from the chef, who is now “no longer affiliated,” and they announced a temporary closure to restructure (which, in San Francisco hospitality circles, is the equivalent of retreating into a redwood forest to find yourself).

But the damage had been done. Google reviews plummeted. Instagram comments caught fire. And the influencer quietly gained 150,000 followers.

This is an important reminder: You don’t have to be impressed by TikTok. You don’t even have to know what a ring light is. But if someone walks into your space, you need to treat them like a human being—not a spreadsheet column or a punchline. Follower numbers may control the volume, but they aren’t your voice.

Case in point, recently I had an incredible collaboration with Andrew de los Santos (@andrewtourssf) and two curated communities: SF Social (@sf.socialclub) and Venn.Social (@app.venn). I came to the table with no social media presence. Zero followers, zero clout, zero blue checkmarks. But what I did have was something to collaborate on (the first ever wine walk in the Mission: https://bit.ly/3U3CVxU ) and the wisdom to partner with voices that could help.

This is influence through intention, not metrics. While the chef was busy counting @itskarlabb’s followers, they missed the deeper truth about how modern influence actually works: it’s not about the size of your megaphone; it’s about the quality of your message and the authenticity of your partnerships. With our combined efforts, the wine walk ended up surpassing expectations and hopefully created a template we can follow for years to come.

Andrew and the communities he works with understand something that traditional gatekeepers don’t—that influence isn’t a zero-sum game. When you elevate others, you create space for voices that resonate. When you focus on connection over collecting likes, you create something more powerful than any single viral moment.

The magic happens in the space between the followers. It’s in the trust of SF Social, Venn.Social, and similar curated communities that collectively mobilize people and amplify their voices. It’s in the ability to see potential beyond metrics. It’s in understanding that sometimes the most impactful collaborations come from people who know exactly what they don’t know and aren’t afraid to let others shine.

The real story here is that influence isn’t just about reach; it’s about resonance. Whether you’re @itskarlabb with a devoted community, or someone like me with zero social media presence, the power lies in understanding that authentic voices find their way to the right ears. And authentic voices create influence regardless of likes. 

Here is a drink I am making to cheer on influencers who choose authenticity and collaboration and uplift the community: 

Long Island Viral Tea

½ ounce vodka (Meili Vodka because we all have been under the influence of Jason Momoa)
½ ounce gin (Distillery No. 209 Gin to keep it SF)
½ ounce white rum (The Real McCoy 3 Year Rum because it is the best even though it doesn’t have clout)
½ ounce tequila (Don Fulano, which somewhat translates into “John Doe.” It is 100% anti-influencer and authentic in that it represents everyman rather than a celebrity.)
½ ounce triple sec (or orange liqueur)
½ ounce simple syrup
½ ounce lemon juice (freshly squeezed is best)
cola, to top (about 1–2 ounces or to taste)
lemon wedge or slice, for garnish

Fill a tall glass (like a highball or Collins glass) with ice. Add the vodka, gin, rum, tequila, triple sec, simple syrup, and lemon juice to the glass. Give the ingredients a gentle stir to combine them. Top with a splash of cola (or more, to taste). Garnish with a lemon wedge or slice. Serve immediately and enjoy its influence.

San Francisco-based Dina Novarr enjoys sharing her passion for fine wines, spirits, non-alcoholic craft beverages, and more with others.

Cocktails with Dina
Published on July 31, 2025