Meet Angela Sandler & Lisa Litvag
Born and bred in Saint Louis, Angela Sandler currently resides in the suburb of Creve Coeur with her husband, children, and dogs. After receiving a degree in marketing from the University of Mississippi, Angela entered the world of department store buying focusing on product development and private label business with brands such Victorinox Swiss Army, Timberland, Carhartt, and Jonathan Adler. Later, Angela and Lisa created Xplor, a PR and experiential events company that connects local businesses and community by pairing them via events, experiences and helps amplify their message and brand via influencer marketing, collaborations, and publicity. When not visiting local coffee shops and restaurants, Angela stays busy spending time with friends and family, working out, traveling, reading, and supporting her kids’ sports endeavors. Angela’s excitement over The Scout Guide is a culmination of a 22 year career and a lifetime of hometown love—which just seems like kismet. Though Lisa was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, she fondly calls Saint Louis home. Upon college graduation, Lisa accepted her first position with a Saint Louis-based company and soon thereafter met her husband, Joe, a Saint Louis native, and fell in love with him, and her new city in short order. Lisa and Joe are living happily ever after, raising their two sons (and two pups) while surrounding themselves with their Saint Louis ‘people’ in the town that welcomed her so warmly. Lisa received her degree from The University of Missouri and a Master’s from Fontbonne University. Spending much time on the West Coast, Lisa built a career in the entertainment industry managing teams of sales and marketing professionals at Sony Pictures Lisa loves to bring connection and fellowship into every encounter. Lisa’s passion for local is fueled by her quest to unearth Saint Louis’s unusual and off-the-beaten-path businesses and products.
Angela & Lisa’s Favorite Reasons to Visit
A big city that acts like a small town: Saint Louis is notorious for “everyone knowing everyone.” Inevitably you will run into someone everywhere you go, and although the city has over three million people, it still feels like a small town. We have the benefits of going to St. Louis Cardinal games and being part of a large community, while still having the small town feel of running into people you know at the local coffee shop. Also everything in Saint Louis is within a 30 minute drive. In fact you can hit most of the city’s hotspots in 15 minutes!
Music (Lisa): This is the town that was built on Blueberry Hill! Our family is rooted in music, as musicians, music lovers, and industry insiders, living in a city that is so deeply embedded in music history seems only natural. Home to pioneers like Josephine Baker and Scott Joplin and innovators like Tina Turner and Nelly, Saint Louis provides the beat to the heart of music. Personally, I am fundamentally a fangirl—finding my way to the rail at any live concert or festival. Saint Louis summers are filled with live, indoor and outdoor music in venues all over the city!
The food (Angela): Saint Louis is a foodie city. Home of the Anheuser Busch beer dynasty, to the famous BBQ and toasted ravioli, gooey butter cake, and Imo’s Pizza, Saint Louis is a food lover’s haven with so much to indulge in and appreciate. With six local James Beard chefs and tons of locally-owned restaurants, Saint Louis is truly a food lover’s paradise.