Hello Reader,

During an Instagram scroll last week, an influencer post caught my eye. Eagerly, I pulled out my credit card to type in my information when the voice in my head asked, "What are you doing?"

Indignantly, I explained (to myself!), "I'm buying these 2 lipsticks and a mascara for the bargain price of $99 so I can be like this person on my feed!"

Duh, obviously!

Then I put my phone and credit card down.

I'd almost spent 100 bucks (tack on tax and shipping!) on something I neither need, nor really want. That's some effective influencing!

The truth is: I'd love to be an influencer! For ecosystem building. Can you imagine having this kind of power over hundreds (thousands! undreds of thousands!) of people who consume your content? (I talked about it on Instagram here.)

• "Advocate for the needs of entrepreneurs in your community: A crash course!"
• "How to tell meaningful stories for systems change. Join this 10-week virtual program!"
• "Three simple ways to drive systemic change in your community. Download the cheat sheet here!"

Imagine ecosystem building catching on like the Black Friday at Walmart- hundreds of thousands of people downloading the tools and insights to make their communities better places to live, work and play!

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Between my Ears

Life in the Shenandoah Valley and beyond:

• "Trust breeds magic." Tina Roth-Eisenberg, the founder of Creative Mornings (the world's largest face-to-face creative community), recently chatted with Guy Raz about How [She] Built This. As co-host for our chapter in the Shenandoah Valley, this episode gave me all the feels! Building community through radical generosity is a wildly different experience than worrying about what's going to make money, and how much of it, how soon. Give it a listen!
• The Mocktail results are in! In my last newsletter, I told you about my first order of mocktails: Adaptogens mixed into exotic water-juice-concoctions = an alternative to your happy hour drink. Some hit my taste buds more than others but at almost $9/drink, I think I'll keep looking for alternatives. Any suggestions?
• The content you didn't know you wanted! One of the best things I've seen on the internet recently are India Rose Crawford and her little frog with his daily adventures (see it on Instagram).
• Last weekend, I finished Tough Titties by Laura Belgray. In part, I was infuriated that this she defied all the should's and supposed-to's (that I've been following to a T) and became a great success anyway - how dare she!? A much bigger part of me gobbled up her stories of doing life her way and raking in the $$$ and satisfaction that each creator deserves! Go Laura!
• My latest pick: Hidden Genius by Polina Marinova Pompliano. I first came across Polina (making a killing with a paid newsletter WHAT!?) on the Creator Science podcast with Jay Clouse (episode #110). I was skeptical of another self-help-learn-from-the-greatest-book but she mentions early on that this is not an attempt to glorify success, that there's complexity and struggle in each of the stories she shares and so far (chapter 3), I'm right there with her.

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On my desk

Here are some of the projects keeping me busy at the moment:

• I'm about to go on a listening tour of Black and Brown entrepreneurs in the Shenandoah Valley! We're curious to learn more about the barriers to capital access that they're up against in the Shenandoah Valley - and how we might be able to help overcome some of these systemic issues. I share more about my work as Director of Ecosystem Building in a monthly blog series called Field Notes.
• ​Creative Mornings Shenandoah Valley is taking a much-needed summer break to return in August! Instead of planning the next event, we get to spend some time as a team to dream and scheme about what the second half of the year will look like for our creative community. Venues, speakers, partners and swag!
• I'm working on a piece about street art in the Shenandoah Valley. I'm known for pulling over my car on a split-second decision to see and photograph a cool mural (of which we have many!). This piece will be part of the September issue of Millpond Collective.

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From the podcast

Who tells our stories? Natalie Hodge, creator & producer of Hometown Hustle talks about supporting Black media and how to use storytelling to make people fall in love with their communities: Listen & Subscribe

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Practically Speaking

In the second half of 2023, I want to become a better (=more visible, louder & more skilled) advocate for entrepreneurs in my community. I'm looking for learning & training opportunities in the field of public relations, writing OpEds and sharing my views with the rest of the world.

In brief, I want to get better at sharing the stories of our entrepreneurs with people beyond the Shenandoah Valley.

Does you have suggestions for training, workshops, courses in this area? Are you good at this and would be willing to give me half an hour of your time (in exchange for my eternal gratitude)?

Simply reply to the email and let me know!

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On my Radar

I come across a lot of resources that I want to share with fellow ecosystem builders and changemakers. If we're connected on LinkedIn or Instagram, they might already show up in your feed! In case you missed any, here's my curated list from the last two weeks:

• Zebras Unite just announced Dazzle Con 2023 in Washington, D.C. I hope to go and hope even more to see you there!
• October 23-25: SOCAP Global in San Francisco, California
• National Main Street is hiring an Associate Manager and a Senior Manager for their Thriving Communities Program. If historic preservation is your jam, give it a look!
• Richmond Magazine just published an article about the barriers Black entrepreneurs face in my old hometown. It's a well know issue, embedded in a local context I know well. If you're in Virginia and are, or know, a Black entrepreneur, save the date for BLCK Street Conference August 6-7.
• Speaking of conferences I'm looking forward to: RebelleCon returns to Richmond, VA, November 6-7, and I look forward to connecting with other professional women & non-binary leaders!

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I will be back in your inbox in two weeks with a double-episode featuring the three women who turned the Yearbook Indiana from an idea into a coffee table book profiling 100 entrepreneurs and ecosystem players in Indiana!

In camaraderie,

Anika