I write a fortnightly newsletter that teaches you how to build ecosystems for social change without burning out. Subscribe for professional insights, a peek of my bookshelf and the weekly Shen-Anika-ns of living, working and building community in the Shenandoah Valley, VA.
#109: Building thriving startup communities (and a life you love)
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Welcome to the 109th issue of Impact Curator! I curate this fortnightly newsletter for all of you who believe in transforming your community by amplifying the impact of the changemakers around you.
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Hello Reader, Last week, my 7-year-old sat in the passenger seat, flipping through every radio station—excited by the choices, but afraid of missing something good. As a self-employed ecosystem builder, I get it. Freedom is exhilarating, but it can also feel nerve-wracking when the pipeline isn’t full. Since returning from my summer at home, I’ve been wrapping up projects, chasing purpose-aligned clients, creating meaningful content (see Ecosystem Essentials👇), teaching myself new skills (hello video-editing and AI!) and giving back to my community (see Shen-Anika-ns👇) - while still carving out the kind of leisure I once craved in my 9–5 days: National park hikes on Friday afternoons, surprise school pick-ups, mini adventures on teacher workdays. Not every season of work allows for this balance. But right now, I feel privileged to embrace the ebb and flow - knowing busier times are ahead. 💡I'm curious: If you suddenly had one day per week to do only what you want (assuming money and time are not an issue), what would you spend it on? Ecosystem Essentials: Building Thriving Startup Communities with Chris HeivlyLast year, I collaborated with my friends at EcoMap Technologies (hi Heather, Sherrod & Kevin✋) to explore what the future of our field might look like. I had the opportunity to interview thought- and practice leaders for a series called the Future of Ecosystem Building (check it out here). A year later, I wanted to revisit these conversations and look at them in a new light: apart from future trends, what could we learn from each of them that informs our work and makes us better ecosystem builders? "If you don’t spend at least 50% of your time talking to entrepreneurs, you’re doing it wrong." Chris Heivly These Deep Dives are mini case studies that explore an ecosystem builder's approach to the work, packed with lessons that you and I can apply to our efforts. Some of the builders in this series have decades of experience with startups, ecosystems and community building - I feel like there are a lot of lessons to learn and insights to share (these Ecosystem Essentials are going to be JUICY!). For this first Deep Dive, I sat down with Chris Heivly to talk about his approach to startup community building:
Throughout several conversations that Chris and I had over the years, I kept asking myself what we might be able to learn from him about building thriving startup communities. Grab your free Ecosystem Essential here (and forward it to anyone who might need this!):
"At best, you’re just the sum of your parts. The real goal is when one plus one plus one equals five." BookishWhat I read in August:
40 Indie bookshops under 40Come tour some Indie bookshops with me through my former hometown of Richmond, VA: Shen-Anika-nsThis one is for my locals: My local plate is currently overflowing and I invite you to spend time with me in person at any and all of these FREE community events that I'm hosting over the next two weeks (please RSVP):
I'll be back in your inbox in two weeks. In camaraderie, Anika P.S. Missed my last newsletter? Check out the previous issues of Impact Curator. |
Anika Horn
I write a fortnightly newsletter that teaches you how to build ecosystems for social change without burning out. Subscribe for professional insights, a peek of my bookshelf and the weekly Shen-Anika-ns of living, working and building community in the Shenandoah Valley, VA.