Public Culture was registered for business on 23 December 2013 — a Christmas present for two wide-eyed 25 year-olds determined to steer our way in this world. 

10 and a half years on — at the close of May 2024 — we will officially shut our doors and turn out the lights. 

There are so many ways I can sum up our time at Public Culture. Let’s start with chronological steadfastness: we began with two co-founders; hired our first intern in 2016, who then became our first full-timer in 2017. In 2018, Tina, one half of the founding team, left to pursue other exciting opportunities, and I (Mel) began growing the team. Our last hires were in 2021 (they’re still a part of today’s team!), and our last new clients completed their projects with us in early 2024. 

Public Culture has been a decade-long lesson in grit, humility, practice, iteration. This business has taught me the importance of learning the rules, then understanding when and why they should be broken. I learned that mistakes are inevitable, but accountability will always save the day. That it is never worth losing peace of mind over any client. That people will always be your best assets.  

Running Public Culture has also been an exercise in independence. Because the truth is, you can solicit all the advice you want, subscribe to newsletters and podcasts, sign up for social mixers, do EVERYTHING by the book — none of that matters if you cannot learn to trust yourself, think for yourself, and actually listen to yourself. Understanding what you stand for and where you want to go is the most powerful thing Public Culture has given me. It is why we started the business, and how I know it is time to let it go.

10 years ago, Public Culture was buoyed by youthful ambition. But it is the unwavering trust of our clients and the dogged love of an excellent team that has seen us to 10 years. It is true what they say: the days are long and the years are short. This may be a closure, but it is also a celebration of our hard-fought time together. Thank you to everyone we have had the privilege of knowing through Public Culture — I am endlessly grateful.

Melissa Tai
Co-founder
1 May 2024