Hi Reader, At first, it felt a little strange being the oldest students in the room. Rachel and I were at the MD Venture Student Showcase, where we and 9 other student startups were awarded $50,000 for student-led entrepreneurship ventures. We were recognized for WholeSite, our AI-assisted website creation platform (in case you missed it, here’s a link to the press release.) The youngest recipients were an 11th grader and a 12th grader, which means Rachel and I were literally old enough to be...
30 days ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader, We hope you had a fantastic start to the year! February has been buzzing with inspiring events and exciting milestones. We're thrilled to share a quick recap of all the highlights. Greener World Website Launch 🚀 The new GreenerWorld.com website is live! As one of North America’s largest distributors of compost, fertilizers, mulch, soil conditioners, and topsoil, Greener World is committed to sustainable solutions that drive environmental progress. Customers can easily explore...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader, There are a lot of fantastic digital communities out there, but we’ve never wanted to turn Monument Women’s Creative Alliance into one. Sure, doing so would allow us to grow our membership even more. But the last thing we want is a massive group of people who would barely recognize each other at their local coffee shop. That’s why MWCA is Baltimore-based, through and through. We’ve always wanted our members to go beyond “transactional” relationships. We want people to get to know...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, I’m currently taking an International Marketing class as part of my MBA. We've been discussing how cultural influences shape a business's marketing approach, whether targeting a global audience or connecting with a local one. One of the big things that’s stood out so far has been a beautiful affirmation of what we do at Drio: ➡️ Your cultural differences aren’t a nuisance. They’re a gift. Our differences are tools that help us build more empathy, strengthen more relationships, and...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, January has been packed with growth, new connections, and exciting progress at Drio. From inspiring events to collaborative projects, we've hit the ground running in 2025. Here’s a look at what we’ve accomplished this month and what’s on the horizon! ✈️ Drio in Tampa Hazel and Rachel hit the road (or skies!) for a productive two-day work trip to Tampa, setting up shop at Office Evolution to focus on a new book project in collaboration with Erika Holmes. The title of the book is...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, 13 years and counting. That’s how long Hazel and I have been running Drio together. You can’t face 13 years of business with just anybody. It takes a rock-solid partnership—and we’ve learned a ton about maintaining ours over the years. After multiple colleagues and clients asked us about our experience, we thought, “Why not share the things we’ve learned with more people?” So we’re writing a book! [title TBD!] We want this book to be organized and actionable so you can apply some...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
I’ve got journals, calendars, and project management systems filled to the brim with goals I want to hit this year. Maybe you’re the same way, Reader? The thing is, sometimes simplicity is the secret to taking action. We can’t tackle a thousand things at once. We need to choose ONE action to focus on first. With that in mind, could you please do me a quick favor and let me know which of the goals below is the highest priority for you? ⬇ We want to share advice and resources that help you get...
2 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, There I was, at a coffee farm in El Salvador, communicating with a local woman through pointing and awkward attempts with my rusty high school Spanish. That woman was the mother of Gladys, one of the Professional Fellows Hazel and I hosted. We were visiting Gladys and our other fellow, Andrea, in their home countries (El Salvador and Honduras) as part of the ITD Professional Fellows program. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Both Gladys and her mom are lively and so funny....
3 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, My iPhone camera roll doesn’t lie. 2024 has been full of incredible memories, gratitude, and community. I wanted to share some of the biggest “themes” we took away this year—and yes, a few of the less-than-sparkly moments too. Because let’s be real: the downs are part of the journey. They may not shine as brightly, but they’re the foundation for growth. They’re a reminder that we’re all in this together. Theme 1) The clearer your values, the clearer your impact ⭐ Over the years,...
3 months ago • 2 min read
