"Where does this message that faster is better even come from? I never ever want the most interesting thing about me to be how little time I've been at this work or how little effort it actually took. That's a pretty insulting life story."

Mary Marantz on the Independent Business podcast with Natalie Franke

I met Natalie Franke as part of Rebelle Con a few years ago while her podcast is hit or miss (it's me, not her!), I listened to this episode like it was gospel.

In a time where it's tempting to measure success in likes, listens, downloads and click rates, the idea of slow growth and sticking to your dream even when no-one is watching was truly therapeutic.

I started working on the very first version of Social Venturers in 2015 when I had just left my job and life in Hamburg. It looked something like this:

Back then, I backpacked around Europe interviewing different support programs for social entrepreneurs about their program design and delivery, their business model and impact measurement approaches. I wanted to learn how to best support purpose-driven entrepreneurs.

Fast forward to eight years (!) later: More than 120 interviews later, I now host a podcast, work full time in entrepreneurial ecosystem development and am sharing my insights with everyone and anyone who will listen (and a few people who won't listen, but I try anyway ;)).

In case you need to hear this this week: It's ok to grow slowly. It's ok to step away from social media and create away from the public eye. Just keep at it and hone your craft so you can grow strong roots.

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Between my Ears

Life in the Shenandoah Valley and beyond:

• I've been reading "Die Akademie meines Lebens" by Matze Hielscher, a fellow podcaster based in Berlin, Germany. As host of Hotel Matze (German only, sorry friends!) he compiled the life lessons he learned from some of his interview guests. Deeply honest, vulnerable, and almost philosophical. It validated my experience that in any conversation, we learn as much from what's between the lines - and what's not being said - as we do from what is being said.
• Summer in the Valley has been incredibly hot. So hot in fact, that I sometimes opt for the cool of my air-conditioned car in favor of riding my bike. To keep up my conditioning, I've increased my running distance from 2 to 4 miles and I've enjoyed hitting the pavement before sunrise.

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On my desk

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

• Last week, we kicked off our 2nd storytelling campaign about entrepreneurship in the Shenandoah Valley with a panel conversation featuring four local entrepreneurs. Following the theme of The Side Hustle, we're telling the stories of Valley founders who work(ed) full-time while running a side hustle business. Meet them here!
• As we're getting closer to SOCAP 2023, I sat down with Tova Lobatz, Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships, to learn more about how SOCAP builds lasting partnerships to convene the impact ecosystem. You can read about our conversation here!
• Andy Stoll, one of the first ecosystem builders I ever met, finally started a blog about entrepreneurial ecosystem building, networks and communities. Took him long enough, and I'm here for it! Check it out on Medium!

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From the podcast

Making the intangible tangible In this two-part episode, Julie Heath, Morgan Allen and Polina Osherov talk about how they brought the Entrepreneurship Indiana Yearbook to life: Listen & Subscribe

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Practically Speaking

In the spirit of slow growth, I'm curious: What is something you've been working on behind closed doors? What have you been practicing or trying to get better at without any of us watching? I would be so honored if you shared your secret with me. Maybe we'd all feel a little less alone if - instead of hyping the myth of the overnight success - we celebrated the hard and windy path of slow growth. Hit "reply" to this email - I'd love to hear from you!

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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:

• The Economic Recovery Corps is currently accepting applications for their 30-month fellowship. If you're looking for a paid path into entrepreneurial ecosystem building - or know someone who does - check out this program and apply by August 15!
• October 23-25: SOCAP Global in San Francisco, California
• My friends at CO.STARTERS just created a playbook on how to fund ecosystem building and entrepreneurial support organizations. You can download it on their website!
• Right to Start advocates for lower barriers to entrepreneurship in the US. And they just launched an online platform that is open to fellow startup champions and advocates. Check it out here!

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I will be back in your inbox in two weeks with the final interview episode for season 6. I sat down with Austin Danforth at the Center on Rural Innovation to talk about changing the narrative about tech and innovation in rural America!

In camaraderie,

Anika