I prepped for this Rising Tide Society meetup just like I prep for every meetup. The night before I download the guide, print name tags, pick up treats, and get ready to greet all our amazing GB Tuesday members the next day. For two years I have prepped and led Green Bay’s TuesdaysTogether meetups. So when this Monday night rolled around and I started pulling together everything for the next day, I couldn’t help but remember our very first meetup.

Nervous doesn’t begin to cover my emotions the night before that first meetup. I had launched our little group into the world of Facebook and invited as many of my creative friends that I could think of. My bestie graciously offered to host us in her studio space, Hello Lemon Studio. I checked the RSVP list a dozen times that day, anxiously hoping that these people would really come. What if no one showed up? What if no one actually wanted to embrace Community Over Competition? Feeling ALL the emotions, the next day I set up (way too early!) and patiently waited for ANYONE to come. Thankfully not only did people show up, but we were FLOODED with creatives who truly wanted to be there. They NEEDED a community of creatives that they could belong to. From day one, our RTS group has been ready! Ready to embrace this new thing. Ready to lift each other up. Ready to be a part of something bigger than themselves.

Two years later and we haven’t slowed down in the slightest. Every meetup brings new people, new discussions, new ideas. We’ve grown from 50 members to almost 500 creative entrepreneurs in our online group who embrace community! We’ve celebrated local businesses, collaborated on big projects, and gave back to our community (including donation drives for The Boys and Girls Club, Jake’s Diapers, and House of Hope!)

Last night we celebrated our two year anniversary back in the spot where it all began (which is no longer Hello Lemon Studio but will now be the new home of my second business, Dwell & Grace, this July!) The conversations are still incredible and we still have the best time together. It’s been such an honor to lead this group of amazing entrepreneurs. They inspire me beyond words. I love our meetups and I’m so grateful that I’m no longer a nervous wreck the night before.

THANK YOU GB Tuesday members for showing up since day one, for saying “yes!” to Community Over Competition, and for making our meetups feel inspirational and life changing every time. None of this would be possible without all your love and support! I can’t imagine a life before RTS and I’m excited to see what this next year brings for us!

Special thanks to the wonderful ladies of Fresh Digital Marketing who led us in discussion about SEO!