I'm here now because of a community.
In 2013, I joined an online training called B-School from Marie Forleo. One of the most beneficial aspects of that training was the robust Facebook Group and the smaller sub-groups serving various niches.
Within the Artists in Business group, there was a young artist and educator, Courtney McCracken. I didn't know Court well then, but we were both invited to be part of a collaborative mastermind with a few others. It was a transformative experience where we all became better at what we do through the group's collective efforts.
I lost touch with Court for a few years, but we reconnected after the pandemic and became closer, and now consider her one of my best art friends, even though we've never been in the same room together.
Court lives in Asheville, and for the first few gut-wrenching days during and after the hurricane, I was terrified and eager to find out if she was safe. When she finally had access to cellular service, she told me she and her family survived, but the experience was traumatic. Her art collection is secured, but she has many friends in the area who lost everything.
Moments like this are not the reason for my wanting to grow a community around the Hungry, but it was a community that brought Court and me together, and it's why I'm doing everything I can to help.
If you're interested in knowing more about the Hungry community plan and how I think it will change the way we operate online, I'm hosting another free call to talk about it. Click Here, and I'll put you on the list.
* The timing isn't ideal for this post, and I hope you'll forgive me. The schedule was already set when I decided to make this episode about hurricane relief. That said, this will be the last time I offer the free call and the last opportunity to get in the group for a while.