I was on a Zoom call earlier today, completely taken aback.
On the call were some big names. People I recently met at a conference who were graciously giving me their time. And it still blows my mind when I think of the reasons why.
How did I get here?
At that conference, I was a newcomer, but my reputation was something I’ve been building for a long time now. My name and company had been circulating long before I even arrived. I showed up eager to make new connections, but it felt like they were already waiting for me. 😅
This is hard to write.
Self-promotion has never come naturally to me. I was raised to be meek and mild and I still feel that tug. But I also know my efforts brought me here.
People in our industry often tell me how much they love me, but love and soft skills don’t (always) pay the bills. For a long time I wondered,
How do I monetize being loved???
The answer clicked when I finally owned my hard skills.
I’m genuinely amazing at creating in-person experiences.
For the past year and a half, I’ve worked relentlessly. And it’s showing. My work is opening doors and attracting incredible humans who want to collaborate with me and support what I’m building.
Which brings me back to that Zoom call with prolific individuals who genuinely believe in me. It still feels surreal.
WordPress was the first place I ever experienced what it meant to be part of a give-first community. Now that I’m venturing beyond WP, I’m finding that same give-economy and it warms my whole heart.
I could list everything I’m grateful for, but honestly, we would be here until next Thanksgiving. Once you start naming gratitude, it never stops.
So this year, instead of making a list, I decided to choose a principle that I will keep close to my heart:
To be part of the give-first economy by default.
The give-first economy is my kind of world: you lead with generosity, offer real value, and build trust long before you ever ask for anything in return. It’s a philosophy rooted in showing up for people, not selling to them. Think of businesses that share genuinely helpful content or support without strings attached. That kind of energy creates loyalty, long-term relationships, and the kind of community I want to live and work in.
Humans amaze me.
My love runs deep for all of you in my circles.
Happy Thanksgiving, fam. 🤸🏻♀️
