FROM LINKEDIN - 01/28/2026
When you build it WITH the community, they show up.
All 84 of them 🎉 !Yesterdays, 1 Million Cups session wasn't just about numbers. Although having to add extra chairs (again!) never gets old. It was about something bigger.
Ashley and Brandon of Weekend Brew in Grants Pass, did something brave: they opened up their business challenges to the community. They're reimagining, pivoting, and instead of doing it in isolation, they asked for feedback. Real feedback. From real people who care.
And the community delivered.
Entrepreneurs from Josephine and Jackson counties. Ecosystem partners. First-timers and familiar faces. All leaning in, asking questions, sharing insights, genuinely invested in helping Weekend Brew find their next chapter.
But here's what I'm especially proud of: Becky from The Event Nanny hosted a kid zone...Complete with snacks and creative activities, so our mom-preneurs could be fully present without worry. Because building an inclusive ecosystem means identifying gaps and filling them. It means recognizing that "everyone is welcome" requires intentional support, not just good intentions.
This is what organic community building looks like, it's not forced networking, not transactional relationships, but people who show up because they believe in lifting each other up.
The 1MC presentations are magic. But it's in the connection. It's in the willingness to be vulnerable. It's in trusting your community to help you build something better.
So I'm curious: What or who is missing in YOUR ecosystem at your events? Have any ideas on ways to broaden the reach and make sure everyone who wants to show up, can?
To everyone who showed up yesteday: you ARE the ecosystem. Thank you for proving (once again) that when we build together, we build stronger. 🫶
1MillionCups Entrepreneurship SouthernOregon SmallBusiness CommunityBuilding InclusiveEcosystem
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/drkfreezeseedcollective0333k_1millioncups-entrepreneurship-southernoregon-activity-7422658766493507586-MAfd?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAABWQnvAB8ccKGaGWeqIHWRN18VxzjaMhqns
