Inner Circle’s Post

I love connecting people. I really enjoy that moment when two people I’ve brought together tell me they’re collaborating on something. I’m lucky that this is a huge part of my career, but it’s more than that for me, it’s about being part of a community. I went to an amazing event the other day (Boardwave’s breakfast, you can see me in the front row), in a room packed full of female founders and investors. These women are amazing, and the connections ran deeper than the business being discussed. It really struck me that the women in that room could achieve so much together, while still achieving their own goals than we could focusing just on ourselves. I could fill several posts with the names of people who have helped me over the years. Sometimes they might not even know how important their recommendation or connection was to me, and I want to pay that forward to others. Asking for help is hard. We’re all told not to show weakness or vulnerability, and you’re rarely more vulnerable than when asking for help. Why do we feel this way? Nobody can survive in this world alone, and sometimes we all need a helping hand, but the fear of rejection, or even pity can hold us back. It doesn’t have to be like that and I think it’s worth thinking about how that ask feels to the person on the other end. Because here’s the secret: It’s a great feeling when you can help someone out, and it’s always a privilege to be asked, even if you can’t. I’ve been told I spend too much time doing things for people that won’t really push me or my business forward, but I’m definitely not going to change. We need to sell each other instead of selling to each other.

Niches have superseded the mainstream. Yet while finding 'your people' is validating and wonderful, I'd argue that this widespread fracturing of hyper-niche communities has also contributed to this era of extreme polarity. Authentic participation in any culture or community requires serious time and energy—to build knowledge, to mass credibility, to make connections, and to engage in rituals—and it should. But herein lies the paradox, as such a commitment of finite personal resources prohibits us from diversifying our investments and experiences. Amplify this with ultra-specific taste groups that often unintentionally remove discourse and serendipitous discovery by design, and here we are—more connected, more specific, and more lonely than ever. I'm not saying we need to lower the gates or lessen our cultural investments, but maybe we do need more third spaces that are better accessible, less intense, and more ideologically diverse. https://lnkd.in/gGYGnim5

Let's Connect and Network! Hey LinkedIn community! It's Social Saturday, and I can’t wait to connect with you. About Me: I'm a VA/OBM, working with female solopreneurs on growing and scaling their businesses by managing the backend. Consider me your 'Workwife'—no fancy dinners or flowers needed :) Let's embark on this journey together! Connect with Purpose: Let's cultivate a community where professionals inspire and uplift each other. Drop me a connection request, and let's kickstart a dialogue about your passions and goals. Let's add more connections to our network and support each other. You can start by sending me a connection request. Share Your Passion: In the comments, tell us a little bit about what you do. Spread the Connection: Share this post with your network and invite them to share and connect. The more, the merrier! I can't wait to connect, so let’s get this started! #SocialSaturday #NetworkingMagic #ProfessionalConnections #ShareYourJourney #SocialSaturdayVibes #BusinessCollaboration #CommunityInspiration #WorkLifeBalance #LinkedInConnections #CollaborateWithPurpose #SaturdayNetworkingJoy #Solopreneur #OnlineBusinessOwners

"Happy Social Saturday everyone! 🌟 Let's use today to connect, engage, and uplift each other. Whether it's sharing insights, supporting a cause, or simply spreading positivity, let's make every interaction count. Let's build bridges, not barriers. #SocialSaturday #Community #Connection" #SocialSaturday #LinkedInConnections #ProfessionalNetworking #WeekendNetworking #BusinessConnections #LinkedInCommunity #SaturdayNetworking #LinkedInEngagement #CareerDevelopment #ProfessionalGrowth #SocialNetworking #WeekendNetworking #LinkedInEngage #SaturdaySuccess #NetworkingEvent #CareerConnections #LinkedInInspiration #SocialMediaSaturday #ProfessionalConnections #LinkedInSuccessStories

Do you find yourself attracted to people who don’t feel the same about you? Does this happen often? Why do the people we like don’t like us back? Dating and Relationship Expert Sandy Weiner explains one of the key reasons why someone we are attracted to does not appear to be attracted to us, and what we can do about it! #datingover50 #findinglove #loveafter50 #2ndacttv

Studies have shown that millennials report having fewer close friends than previous generations. Feeling lonely at times? It's all good! Here are two key points to help us foster meaningful connections and move out of feeling alone: 1. Prioritize quality over quantity: Instead of focusing on the number of friends we have, let's prioritize building deep, meaningful relationships with a few close individuals. Quality friendships can provide us with the support and companionship we need to combat feelings of loneliness. 2. Invest in community: Join groups, clubs, or organizations that align with your interests and values to connect with like-minded individuals. Building a sense of community can help us feel more connected and less isolated in our day-to-day lives. For those who make friends/connections easily, reach out to those you may not normally reach out to. Help bridge the gap of those who are a little bit more shy! Let's challenge ourselves to reach out, make connections, and nurture relationships that bring joy and fulfillment to our lives. Together, we can create a strong support system and move out of feeling alone. 💫 #ConnectionMatters #Leadership #Community

Welcome back to the third edition of #CareerCrush, a series that celebrates women who have turned their passion for romance into rewarding careers. Today, we're turning the spotlight onto Courtney Spence, the creative mind behind 'Art Hustle,' a company that beautifully intertwines art, connection, and love. 💞 Courtney's journey with 'Art Hustle' is a testament to the power of creativity. "We facilitate creative events and workshops. The focus is on getting people together face to face and encouraging interaction and connection through the arts and creative activities," she says. Her events are not just fun and interactive; they are a catalyst for creating bonds in a relaxed, low-pressure environment. Seeing people let their guard down and immerse themselves in a creative endeavor brings Courtney immense satisfaction. She shares, "I absolutely love seeing people letting their hair down and getting into a creative and playful state. My personal sense of satisfaction comes from introducing people to each other and encouraging them to create together." Her Paint Nights, filled with vibrant energy and creativity, are a perfect example of this. Interestingly, when Courtney first ventured into event planning, she didn't set out to create events for singles. It was her love for sparking creativity that led the way. However, as she hosted more events, she noticed a beautiful pattern emerging. "The more events I facilitated, the more I realized that people were connecting naturally through the creative process," she explains. This realization led to the conception of 'Art Hustle' - a platform where creativity could serve as a bridge for romantic connections. Her advice for those interested in this line of work? "Find ways to connect people through organic means like playful and creative activities and focus more on that and allow the connections to blossom naturally." Courtney Spence has truly harnessed the power of art to foster connections and ignite romance, creating a career that's easy to fall in love with! Follow Courtney on IG @booksartmagic Be sure to join us for the next #CareerCrush edition as we continue to unveil careers that blend passion and profession. Until next time, keep exploring, keep dreaming, and who knows—you might just discover a career you'll fall head over heels for! Until next time, Michelle 💗 P.S. Courtney has an event coming up on Valentine's Day in Toronto - Send me a DM for more info! #careercoachingforwomen #careertransition #careerchange

Are you over 50 and feeling lonelier? Savanna Douglas writes in Woman & Home about women in their 50s raising children and supporting elderly parents, as well as working full time. Douglas confirms it’s a time of life when both women and men are finding they’re so busy yet have fewer friends than ever. Douglas suggests 5 top tips for finding friends and building relationships. Here they are, (with my thoughts). 1: Join online communities with like-minded people who share your interests. (Well, I’m on LinkedIn and stalk the kids on Instagram, does that count?) 2: Find time for your hobbies; friendships will follow. (I started swimming again and really love the small, tight-knit community). 3: Talk to neighbours, and do coffees or walks. (I live in the country with few neighbours). 4: Set up community gatherings – for easter, summer BBQ, Halloween & Xmas (I love me a barn dance!) 5: Reconnect with old friends (mine are often far away but seeing them even once a year is pure joy). My view? Humans don’t need scores of pals. They need very few, but very trusted and close friends. Isn’t it true that, once you are sure of a few, very dear friends, you’re good to go? https://lnkd.in/eC-6FPYJ

I've been on the prowl for more groups and networks that align with my values. I found such a wonderful community locally in Mid-Michigan, and as my work and business shift, I'm desperate for like-minded people. I want to be surrounded by more conscious creatives, intentional business owners, women and queer folks, neurodivergent people who are trying their best like me to survive in late-stage capitalism. I want to see the conversations we're all having in our heads, out-loud, online, and find the people like me who are making real shifts in our lives. Everything feels like it is against our mental health and wellbeing. Income taxes, social media, cost-of-living. All of it. How are we fighting it or standing together while it burns? What kinds of spaces have you found that align with your values and keep you afloat?! Where are these conversations happening?

“What are your values?” What would you say if someone asks you this on the spot? Most probably you’ll say something surface-level. And that’s normal. Because no one openly thinks about their values. It’s something we follow subconsciously. But here’s a tip that can help you... 👉🏻 Look at your circle and observe their habits. We as humans have a confirmation bias and are tribal by nature. Confirmation Bias = We seek evidence to support our ideas. Tribal Nature = We want to be part of likeminded communities. Does your circle aim to workout regularly? Then one of your values is to to have a healthy lifestyle. Does your circle emphasize on good family ties? Then one of your values is to keep your kinship strong. You get the deal. Derive your values. Note them down somewhere. Document stories around them. Those stories will then build your personal brand stronger than ever. Your values put the ‘personal’ in personal branding. Learn to derive them and you’ll build a community before you know it. Thoughts?