Group Stories

It became clear in the fall of 2018 when I left my job of a decade to launch Spark + Buzz Communications. In January of 2019, Spark + Buzz was born—a strategic communications consultancy helping brands tell their story to inspire audiences and galvanize growth. Venturing out on your own to start anything is equal parts thrilling and terrifying. I am extroverted and independent, but nothing prepared me for how lonely and isolating an entrepreneur’s journey can be, especially when you add a toddler and pandemic into the mix. 

Don’t get me wrong, I love working for myself and the freedom that affords me—it is the best decision I’ve ever made, but it isn’t all Maybachs and Manolo Blahniks. I do miss spontaneous banter and popping into a coworker’s office to brainstorm, or simply garnering feedback from someone other than a four-year-old and a furry canine. As what many would call a solopreneur, I no longer have typical coworkers, unless you count my inquisitive, crumb-laden toddler. The entrepreneurial journey is filled with hills and valleys, and the pandemic lockdown only exacerbated those seasons for me. While I am tremendously grateful for the precious family time gained during quarantine, I needed others I could relate with if I wanted to stay sane and thrive. 

When my son was an infant, I joined a MOMs group, but quickly realized I didn’t want my entire dialogue revolving around pee, poop, and growth milestones. I wanted to talk business. I tried an assortment of networking groups, which reminded me that I despise purely transactional networking. I was also interested in connecting with other female, faith-based founders in my Maryland suburb outside of Washington, D.C. Not finding what I wanted, I did what any overachieving type-A person would do. I created a small, local group of women who fit that bill. 

A few months later, I encountered Faith-Driven Entrepreneur (FDE) through a You Bible devotional tailored to entrepreneurs. Upon completing the devotional, I researched the organization and discovered their virtual, eight-week, small group cohorts, which I immediately applied to join. That group inspired me, challenged me, and buoyed my spirits. It was exactly what I needed during this season of life. Everyone in my cohort echoed similar sentiments about the challenge of this lonely road entrepreneurs face, along with highs and lows inherent to the job description. I was amazed to see faces from all over the country and world, but even more thrilled to meet entrepreneurs from my backyard. 

Through this cohort, we wrestled with timely topics about how our faith intersects with our work, and challenged the traditional notion of ministry, while exploring stories of other fellow faith-based entrepreneurs. It was inspiring to hear the heartfelt stories of those within my small group and know that each week when you logged on, there would always be a word of wisdom to comfort any concerns that were bouncing around in your head. I always left refreshed, reminded that though the journey is lonely, you are not alone. Since my cohort, I have remained in touch with several group members and have continued benefitting from FDE through additional small group studies, budding collaborations and connections, and thought-provoking content.