Ron's Potted History - 18 Milestones

18 years in the city. So many joyful moments, kisses, restaurant visits, bike accidents, lost mobile phones, shots, tears & beers. How about yourself?

As it is my 18th birthday this Friday i thought i’d take you on a nostalgic trip through my time in the city. Strap your self in and get ready for the Ron Orp rollercoaster ride.

2004:

My story starts in the Olé Olé bar. After approximately 14 shots i came up with the idea for my newsletter and sent my first issue out on 29th of April 2004. It’s kind of lucky as the newsletter idea is the only thing i remember from that night. 

2005:

When I started, I didn't know if anyone would be interested in my newsletter and spent sleepless nights on my best friend's sofa (I was looking for a flat). But by January I had 1000 readers - a milestone.

2006:

I didn’t want my voice to be the only one offering an opinion on what is happening in the city. So i started looking for columnists - who still exist on the site today. Today they are the city writers. 

2007:

From newsletter to website - In 2007 it was time to take my newsletter to a whole new level and I launched a website including a forum, where the whole of Zurich can still find out what's going on in the city.

2008: 

Zurich is an international city and many expats loved the newsletter but wanted an English version. Their wish was my command and since 2008 Ron is published every Thursday in English. Give my love to the city.

2009: 

A little digression from the Ron universe: 2009 saw the opening of the Western city bypass and transformed Kreis 3 from a pollution laden car park to a tranquil backwater, the hub of this being Brupbacherplatz. Since i drink a cocktail or have an ice-cream there almost every weekend this place deserves a place on my list. 

2010:

In 2010, it was time for the next technological step with the Ron Orp app. The iPhone was still all the rage back then, go figure. I wanted to keep up with that, of course.

2011:

Location, location, location. The party i organised with Vice in 2011 win the gold medal in terms of location: in a former Zurich cigarette factory we danced, laughed and partied until the small hours.

2012:

You know me, I like to make dreams come true. So in 2012 it was time to launch my own crowdfunding platform. Crowdify (which used to be called 100 Days) has now been around for 10 years and has helped to successfully fund 1384 projects.

2013: 

Megalomania is all the rage these days but i was a trend setter. I liberated the terraces, rooftops and balcony of the city and in 2013 the first Rooftop Day bought these hidden gems to life. Since then Rooftop Day has become a part of Zurich’s summer calendar. By the way, the next on is on 18th of June.

2014: 

A little blast from the past, which is now also 8 years old: This video celebrating 10 years of Ron Orp. Dive in.

2015: 

One of my favourite ads on Ron Orp is from 2015. It’s in German but you get the idea. I wonder what sort of cat she is talking about?

DAS KATZENFUTTER FÜR DEINE SCHMUSE KATZE?Welche aufgestellte gepflegte sportliche verführerische heiße Frau braucht das Katzenfutter für ihre schmuse Katze?

Ich(m, 37) futtere deine Katze sehr gerne.

melde dich einfach. ;-)

Kontakt: Message Box

Grösse: 174cm
Statur: Normal
Alter: 37
Stadt: Zürich

I printed it out and it's still hanging on my fridge today.

2016: 

Going back to megalomania. I decided to branch out and conquer other Swiss cities. The newsletter is now available in Basel, Bern, Geneva, Lausanne, Lucerne, St.Gallen and Winterthur with Zug being the latest to join the club in 2016

2017: 

Balance is an important part of my life and Yoga is a real passion for people in Zurich. So i went out among the Yogis of the city and organised the Yoga Day which has since expanded into Balance Day and Yoga in the Park.

2018:

One city, so many great cafés. In 2018 i made my «Kafi-Quartett» game ,(It’s a card game like Go Fish or Happy Families,) which i then strategically «forgot» at various nightclubs around the city. Maybe it’s time for a new one?

A true masterpiece: this photo love story from my editorial team and myself from 2019. Bravo Ron!

2020: 

What happened in 2020? Oh yeah, the pandemic! Suddenly the newsletter was full of Zoom workshops and online streams. But there was a strong feeling of solidarity between my readers and i wanted to do something for the community. So i changed the name of Crowdify to Corowdify and for many projects i only charged the external costs. 

2021:

Two things that i greatly enjoyed from 2021 are the collaboration with the comic festival Fumetto and my new Ron Orp podcast or «Roncast» if you prefer. Fumetto provides the comics in the newsletter and the Roncast regales with stories of the city.

2022:

I’m finally turning 18, but don't worry, I'll stay forever young ♥
Thanks for everything, Züri - see you on 29 April at the Walcheturm!