Hello Reader,

On Friday, August 22, CreativeMornings returned after a 2-months summer break and it was just what I needed: connecting with my friends and community. SO MANY HUGS! And a stellar talk by Heather Goodloe about her life as a nomad.

My take-away: Being a nomad is so much more about wandering stunning landscapes and living out of a backpack (both of which I did in my early 20s but that's a story for another time).

Being a nomad means a willingness to leave your comfort zone (and material belongings).

It's about embracing change and uncertainty.

It's about the courage to say "I have no idea what might go wrong but I'm willing to go ahead and find out."

It's about being scared but courageous enough to take the next step.

Heather's talk and original song(!) felt like an ode to returning to Staunton and my community. As I sat shoulder-to-shoulder with dozens of other local creatives sipping locally roasted coffee (thanks Cat Nap Coffee!) I felt like I had returned to where I want to be right now.

If you need a dose of inspiration, you can see the pictures from our event here (check out the talented Kate Simon here) and watch the talk (the first 90 seconds give you a feel for what it's all about!):

Speaking of inspiration, here's what I have for you this week:

1. Ecosystem Essentials: Make way for WayBuilders
2. Bookish: Two books I recommend for your fall reading list and one you can safely skip
3. Shen-Anika-ns: What's cooking
4. Poll: What does an ecosystem builder need to get started?

Ecosystem Essentials: WayBuilders are underway

My long-term colleague and valued peer, Fay Horwitt, has left Forward Cities and is continuing some of its key programs under a new organization, WayBuilders (you can learn more about it in this Technical.ly guest post).

Fay has worked with over 40 entrepreneurial ecosystems throughout the United States and is making that expertise available to other ecosystems (aka you can hire her!).

I'm tickled to see another ecosystem building powerhouse join the ranks of purpose-driven service providers. And she is not doing it alone. Personally, I'm excited to see this collaborative approach to supporting entrepreneurial ecosystems and their builders!

Here are three offerings that I'm pretty stoked about:

1. For ecosystems: The WayBuilders Challenge is "a place-based, five-day immersive experience designed to align, strengthen, and reimagine your local entrepreneurial ecosystem." Learn more about the WayBuilders Challenge.
2. For individual ecosystem builders: If you're looking for professional development as an ecosystem builder, check out the ESHIP WAY, an interactive experience that emphasizes peer sharing, collaborative learning, and applied practice.
3. For advocates: WayBuilders educates ecosystem builders about how to advocate for small business entrepreneurs in their community through the #RightSizeSBA campaign. Learn more here.

Bookish

What I read in August:

• ​Last summer in the city, Gianfranco Calligarich. I picked this up at Shakespeare & Sons in Berlin this summer. There's only so many times (once!) that you get to say "I was at the end of my tether, to be honest." The protagonist is a lazy drunk with no purpose in life. He has a crush on an anxiety-ridden beauty, but by the time she loves him back, he's already tired of her. Le Figaro called it "A masterpiece" but it was not my cup of tea.
• ​Remarkably Bright Creatures, Shelby van Pelt. A heart-warming read with unexpected protagonists (a 70-year-old Swedish mother and a Giant Pacific Octopus called Marcellus). I'm here for it. Solid read!
• ​Bunny, Mona Awad. I don't typically read horror but this bright pink cover had me fooled. I don't even want to try to describe this book in words. If you're looking for a good read leading up to Halloween - this one is a safe bet!

Shen-Anika-ns

It's time for another recipe share! Late summer to early fall is my favorite season and with apples, tomatoes and peaches in season, I figured I'll take you into my kitchen to share what I've been cooking:

• ​Baked Peach Oatmeal, Eating Birdfood. Making this ahead of time is a real time-saver in the mornings. Gooey, sweet and fruity.
• ​Fuji Apple Salad, Eating Birdfood. When you need a simple and fresh salad that doesn't taste boring.
• ​Peach Salsa Halloumi Bowls, Eating Birdfood. As a non-professional chopper of produce, these take me a long time but it's a great way to incorporate fruit into a hearty meal!
• And if you don't have time or the energy to cook, I love packing a picnic with whatever I have left in the fridge. See above ;)

Checking in: How can I help newcomers get a head start?

Over the last six months alone, this newsletter has grown by the hundreds (yay! Thanks for being here y'all!).

I wonder how to best help newcomers to this newsletter - and the field of ecosystem building in general - figure out what is what.

What do you need to step into this world?

If you've been around for a while, what do you wish you had had when you first started out?

If none of these apply to you or you have more than one favorite (the poll function only allows for one response), please hit "reply" and share with me what's missing!

I'm always trying to create better content for you so you don't have to go out there looking!

I'll be back in your inbox in two weeks.

In camaraderie,

Anika

P.S. Missed my last newsletter? Check out the Impact Curator Library.