When I started my business, I had no idea how to grow it. I knew how to design, I knew what a website needed, but I was lost when it came to marketing.

Networking especially felt icky. I’m not a natural salesperson, and the only thing I remembered from college about networking was something about an elevator pitch.

So there I was, at a local event by myself, trying to make it work. After some awkward small talk with people who all seemed to know each other, I walked up to a vendor, mumbled through a terrible pitch, threw my business card at her, and ran away.

Yeah, it was bad.

(For the record, she never reached out. I don’t blame her one bit.)

But I learned something: mistakes are part of the process. Even embarrassing ones.

Now? I actually enjoy networking.

I’ve learned it’s not about pitching yourself—it’s about connecting with people and finding ways to help each other. And this year, I want to take that one step further: collaborations.

I don’t know exactly what this will look like, but I’m excited to connect with other business owners who want to think outside the box.

Podcasts, newsletter swaps, co-branded events, co-working sessions, webinars—let’s try something new and see what happens.

I’m especially interested in collaborating with businesses outside the website or marketing world. By pairing up, I think we can create something truly unique.

If this sounds fun to you, hit reply or reach out. Let’s make some magic together.

Talk soon!

Stacey