Creating Connections
Energizing Our Local Economy One Conversation At A Time
Columbine was my senior year. Not my school, but it had an impact nonetheless.
It wasn't just the tragedy itself, but the realization that the different "cliques" – jocks, goths, preppies, you name it – were all saying different versions of the same thing.
They were all hurting, all misunderstood.
It was then I knew, with a gut certainty that wouldn't let go, that if we could just get them to talk to each other, to see that shared humanity, maybe, just maybe, we could prevent something like that from happening in our own school.
1. You can't hate someone up close.
2. And you can't understand what you don't know.
With an unshakeable conviction, and a gift for gab that (for once!) was being used for good, we convinced our school administration to let us host roundtable conversations in the library.
One student from each clique. An administrator at each table. Open discussions. We experienced when walls come down, understanding show up.
Advocating for what's right, taking strong, decisive action, seeing the bigger picture, recognizing patterns – these things have been part of who I am for as long as I can remember.
Over my career, I've honed those skills in various capacities, each experience adding another layer to my understanding of how people connect, how communities thrive.
In early 2024 when I settled into the area, I took my time.
I wanted to understand the lay of the land before I decided what I would ultimately do.
After studying Behavioral Economics at Wharton, deep diving into the local economic stats, networking, and having conversations with entrepreneurs and executives alike, I started to notice some themes....
The area is disjointed.
Not cliques.
Not divisive.
Just… separate.
There's no real golden thread weaving us all together.
Not a negative — rather an amazing opportunity!
I attribute this to a few things:
1. The transient nature of Florida in general,
2. The event-driven economy (Speedway, Bike Week),
3. The strong manufacturing presence.
While financial services and healthcare are reported industries on the rise, manufacturing and other "left-brained" industries currently dominate.
These companies attract more introverted personalities by nature, and introverts aren't exactly known for organizing events!
None of these are negatives – they all contribute to the unique flavor of this area!
And yet, we're "disjointed" still.
Entrepreneurs and Executives are the individual key decision-makers and influencers of our local economy. Yet, the only time they're in the same room together is at Publix, and they don't even know it!
Just as I've been doing for 20 some odd years (no need to get specific), I know that if we can bridge the conversation gap between these two extremely powerful categories of individuals, outcomes bigger than we can image can and will happen.
At the Daytona Beach Entrepreneurial Center...
🗳 We're not government funded.
🏢 We're not selling ourselves to "corporate sponsors".
🤝 We're building community as our economy.
Money moves the mission. And people move money.
And even with all the ai powered technology in the world, everything starts with a conversation... between people.
That's why the Daytona Beach Entrepreneurial Center is Connecting Daytona!
And me? I'm just crazy enough to get it started! 🙃
Be part of this vision and contribute to the conversation creating something bigger than both of us, and better than anyone can imagine!!
With more opportunities than grains of sand, let's keep ConnectingDaytona!
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