What Happens When You Actually Ask
I did something that felt a little vulnerable.
I asked for feedback.
Not the polite, end-of-session "how was it?" kind of feedback.
The real kind. The "we're still figuring this out together" kind.
I told the group: "You're founding members. This is your community as much as it's mine. So tell me—what's working? What's not? What do you actually want from these Fridays?"
Six people out of twenty responded. And honestly? That's more than enough when people are being real with you.
What I Heard (And What I Already Knew)
Here's the thing: I had suspicions about what the group needed.
More organization. More planning. A clearer agenda. Knowing who's speaking next week instead of finding out the day before.
I wanted these things too.
But I needed to hear it from them to get the motivation to actually do it.
Because building something sustainable isn't just about what I think is important—it's about what the community needs to keep showing up.
So when multiple people said, "We'd love more structure," I didn't feel defensive. I felt relieved.
They were telling me what I already knew but hadn't prioritized yet.
Within 48 hours, I had contacted six speakers and started booking them into my Fridays. Not because I suddenly had more time. Because I had clarity and accountability.
The Topic That Changed Next Week's Session
One of the most interesting pieces of feedback came from topic suggestions.
Someone asked for more real talk about setbacks. About lived experience. About the messy parts of business and life that don't make it into LinkedIn highlight reels.
I loved that.
So I'm doing something different this week. Instead of a traditional presentation, I'm interviewing our next speaker. Making it more personal. More conversational. More like the kind of conversation you'd have over coffee, not from a stage.
That shift happened because I asked—and because someone was brave enough to say what they actually wanted.
The Contact Info Problem I Didn't Expect
Here's a small thing that turned into a bigger insight:
One member suggested everyone drop their contact info in the chat during meetings.
On the surface, it makes sense. People want to connect. They want to follow up.
But something about it felt off to me.
It felt transactional. A little salesy. Like we were speed-networking instead of building relationships.
So instead, I created a LinkedIn directory—just everyone's LinkedIn links in one place. Clean. Professional. Personal without being pushy.
Now people can connect on their own terms. No pressure. No awkward "add me on everything" energy.
Sometimes the best solution isn't the obvious one. It's the one that honors the vibe you're trying to create.
The Best Practices I'm Actually Using Now
If you're running a group, workshop, or any kind of recurring session, here's what's working for me:
Before the meeting:
Book speakers in advance (I'm now 6 weeks out)
Announce next week's speaker at the current meeting
Send a reminder with the agenda
At the meeting:
Press record on Zoom (people appreciate being able to catch up later)
Welcome: my name, what we're doing, why we're here
Drop the agenda outline in chat
Ask each person for their wins from the week (starts on a positive note)
Explain how I know the speaker + WIIFM (What's In It For Me) for the audience
Speaker presents
Q&A
Breakout rooms with a theme or question to discuss
Come back to main room—ask each person what they'll implement (some speak, some type in chat)
Take a group picture (pictures, like food, bring people closer together)
Announce next week's speaker
Thank everyone
After the meeting:
Ask participants to leave a Google review for the speaker (honors their time)
Follow up on connections made in breakout rooms
Why the Group Picture Matters
I started ending every session with a group screenshot.
It sounds small. But it's not.
Pictures, like food, bring people closer together.
When you see yourself in the frame with others, you're part of something. You belong. You're not just attending—you're contributing to something bigger.
And when people share that picture? They're telling the world, "I'm part of this."
That's marketing you can't buy.
Here's What I'm Learning
You don't have to have it all figured out before you start.
You just have to be willing to ask the people you're serving what they actually need.
And then—this is the part that matters—you have to actually do something with what they tell you.
Six speakers booked. Interview format locked in. LinkedIn directory created. Group picture ritual established.
Not because I suddenly became more organized.
Because I listened. And then I acted.
The Question That's Helping Me Build Better
I keep asking myself: "What would make someone excited to show up next Friday?"
Not obligated. Not curious. Excited.
That question is shaping everything—the topics, the format, the follow-up, the community feel.
And the only way I can answer it honestly? By asking the people who are already in the room.
✨ If you're running a group, workshop, or recurring session—what's one thing you wish you'd asked your community sooner?
I'd love to hear what you're learning as you build.
Until next week,
Penny
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