Hello Reader,

On Saturday morning, on our way to the recycling center, an eight-year-old voice piped up from the backseat: “What even is the point of today, mama?”

I almost did a spit take. Where had THAT come from?

The question stayed with me all day. It also happened to land just as I had started reading How to live a meaningful life the night before. One of the book’s early ideas is simple but sticky: instead of chasing your one and only unique purpose in life (and then what?), find ways to feel fully alive right here, right now.

Saturday was not remarkable. Recycling. Coffee from a favorite local spot. A workout. All very ordinary. But once that question was asked, I noticed the intention underneath each errand. Caring for the planet. Supporting a small business. Taking care of my body. The day did not change. My attention did.

I care deeply about purpose-driven work, but I also know how exhausting it can be to try to hold every passion, role, and identity at full intensity all the time. Ecosystem practitioner. Writer. Parent. Community builder. Solopreneur. Friend. Daughter.

Lately, I am finding relief in a different framing: not doing everything at once, but choosing where to place my energy in this season and being fully present there.

As you head into this week, I’m curious:
​Where could you stop chasing the bigger point and instead bring a little more intention to what is already on your calendar?

Designing ecosystems as living experiments

That question connects directly to how we build entrepreneurial ecosystems.

Designing with humans in mind means experimenting, paying attention, and adjusting. There is no final version. What works today may not work six months from now. So we iterate. We listen. We try again.

In that way, ecosystem building and living a meaningful life ask the same thing of us: stay present, learn quickly, and resist the urge to lock ourselves into rigid plans.

What’s one small experiment you’re running in your ecosystem right now? And what are you learning from it?

Below are a few ways I hope to support you as a designer and pilot tester for ecosystems this month.

Builder Deep Dive

This week, I'm excited to introduce you to Morgan Allen, an ecosystem builder who took a startup mindset into government and uses it to get things done.

I interviewed Morgan as part of The Future of Ecosystem Building, a series I produced with EcoMap in 2025. What has always stood out to me about her work is her bias toward execution. She focuses on building shared infrastructure so entrepreneurs can find support without relying on luck, insider knowledge, or perfect timing.

In this Builder Deep Dive, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at how Morgan turns vision into action. From designing collaboration instead of hoping for it to moving work forward before conditions are perfect, her approach is practical and grounded.

If you’re stuck waiting for alignment, permission, or perfect conditions, this Deep Dive will give you practical ways to move anyway.

I also curated Morgan’s hardest-won lessons into an Ecosystem Essential , which we’ll unpack further in the next issue of Impact Curator.

Bookish

Here's what I've been reading

• ​Ace of Spades, Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé: Gossip Girl meets Get Out. A fast-paced, intense young adult thriller that kept my attention from start to finish.
• ​How to live a meaningful life, Bill Burnett & Dave Evans. I wanted to love this one. While I appreciate the ideas, the framing feels far removed from many Americans’ lived experience. I am taking what is useful and leaving the rest.
• ​The Wilderness, Angela Flournoy. I just started this novel about four women navigating early adulthood. The writing is already excellent. I will report back next issue.

Looking for your next read?

🥁 Forget about your life plan 🥁

My friend Kevin Carter wrote a beautiful and difficult book about friendship, loss, and rebuilding life after tragedy.

Forget About Your Life Plan traces nearly a decade of deep friendship with Pava LaPere, who was tragically murdered in September 2023. The book asks a simple but profound question: what do you do when everything you thought you had figured out falls apart?

This is a memoir about friendship, startups, mental health, grief, and learning how to laugh again even when things are not okay.

If you have ever had to start over, this book will meet you there.

Shen-Anika-ns: To be in community

When the world feels heavy, the best remedy I know is not going it alone. Gathering. Listening. Sharing space. You are welcome to join us.

For ecosystem builders

• Feb 10: The Well
  A monthly call for women ecosystem builders. This is currently a closed group, but reach out if you are interested in joining.
• Feb 18: Deep Focus session (10 a.m.) and Nonprofit support group (noon)
  Free, practical spaces to get work done and connect with fellow do-gooders at the Staunton Innovation Hub.
• April 30: WellTold Conference​
  I’m moderating the online experience for this nonprofit storytelling conference. Use code FRIENDOFANIKA for 10 percent off.

For book lovers

• Feb 11: Winter Book Salon at Staunton Books & Tea​
  A conversation with regional booksellers about their most anticipated reads of 2026 and favorite books for long winter nights. 12 tickets remain!
• March 21: Virginia Festival of the Book​
  I’ll be interviewing UVA Darden professor Bidhan L. Parmar about his new book Radical Doubt.

For the creatively curious

• Feb 20: CreativeMornings Shenandoah Valley AT NIGHT!
  Open mic night at Heard the Store. $10 at the door. Come perform or come listen. Email me for details.
• Feb 27: CreativeMornings Shenandoah Valley​
  Our first community gathering of 2026 at Basic City Beer Co. Free tickets, breakfast, coffee, and an inspiring talk on the theme “Camino.”

If one of these gatherings feels like the right room for you right now, I hope you’ll join us.

You don’t have to hold all of this alone. If something here resonated, my inbox is open.

I'll be back in two weeks!

In camaraderie,

Anika

P.S. Missed my last newsletter? Check out the previous issues of Impact Curator.