From Outsider to Aligned: Rethinking How We Show Up and Connect

19 May

Feeling Out of Place in Traditional Networking Spaces

I remember sitting in my car before a local networking event, giving myself a silent pep talk. I was newly navigating entrepreneurship, juggling a baby and toddler at home, and feeling like I was stepping into a room built for someone else.

My name tag felt oversized. My small talk felt rehearsed. And truthfully, I wondered what I was doing there at all.

Networking was something I thought I "had to do" to grow my business. But it rarely felt like it was for me. I didn’t see other women balancing motherhood and business the way I was. The conversations felt transactional, and I often left feeling more disconnected than when I arrived.

Shifting the Way We Show Up

Over the years, something shifted. I stopped showing up to prove I belonged. Instead, I started showing up as I was.

I chose intentional events that aligned with my values. I created my own spaces when the right ones didn’t exist. And I realized that connection doesn't have to feel like a performance.

What It Really Means to Claim Your Space

Claiming your space doesn’t mean being the loudest voice in the room. It means owning your story, your energy, and your season. It’s permitting yourself to build relationships that fit your life. Not someone else's version of success.

This mindset shift changed everything. I started attracting the right people. I formed deeper, more authentic connections. And I grew a business and brand that reflects who I truly am.

For New Business Owners Who Feel Out of Place

If you’re a new business owner or simply someone who’s felt out of place in traditional networking settings, I want you to know: you are not alone. And you don’t have to wait until you "have it all together" to start showing up. You belong now.