When I started this journey of connecting families, businesses and organizations 8 years ago, I had grand ideas and a lot of learning to do. I spent six years working for myself but also for someone else. A year and a half ago, it was time to decide whether I would continue the path I was on, but without the security of corporate providing affiliate deals, sponsored jobs, business trips and invaluable co-workers. I’d be creating everything from scratch, a new business, a new plan and a new website with no IT department or guidance, just the knowledge, wisdom and relationships I had gained in the previous six years. Or I could choose to walk away and bask in the security of a regular paycheck and a predictable work schedule.

Predictability and security are boring. Time has taught me a difficult, new lesson though. It’s now time to recognize the value that I am providing the community and stop discounting the work and time that I put in to keeping this running.

I’ve given away a lot of free advertising to build my new business. It’s just time for an updated plan. We’re staying true to our original mission. We’re just making a few adjustments to the details.

All businesses need exposure and advertising to succeed. We just won’t be offering that exposure for free anymore. My internet providers won’t provide service for exposure, neither will my auto repair shop, my grocery store, landlords, vendors, utility companies, or desperately-needed staff.

What does this mean for you, right now? Effective immediately, only events that are free to the public will be entered on the calendar for free. We will consider additional events on a case-by-case basis. There will also be some changes to the content that is shared in my Facebook group.

There will be more behind-the-scenes changes happening over the next several weeks. One thing that I want to make very clear, we won’t create premium content that is only available to paid subscribers. We are not shutting our doors. Our prices will still remain extremely competitive. We won’t lose sight of our original mission. I recognize that budgets are tight and we will work with you.

I want to thank you for your support this far. This has been an interesting journey and I’m glad you all joined us on the ride. I hope that you will stick with us as we navigate the new challenges, changes and improvements.

Please contact us with any questions.