Hi Reader, The way I see it, there are two main “types” of entrepreneurs. The Lifers: The entrepreneurs who commit to one big idea, building and refining it for years. Decades even. The Adventurers: The entrepreneurs who thrive on change, pivots, and the thrill of starting from scratch. A recent lunch with a fellow entrepreneur put that into perspective for me. We originally met in 2022 at a conference in Philadelphia - and we realized we were from the same hometown in Virginia. A few weeks...
16 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Spring has officially sprung, and so has the energy around here. March was one for the books, filled with community, creativity, and a whole lot of women-led magic. Let’s rewind and relive some of the incredible moments from this month: 🌟 Pava LaPere’s Legacy Lives On We were honored to participate in the Maryland Student Venture Showcase hosted by UpSurge Baltimore, where 39 student-founded ventures were celebrated for their bold ideas. Nine winners—including our very own Hazel...
24 days ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader, Whenever something doesn't go "perfectly," it can really get me down. In my leadership class, we recently talked about how women and girls are culturally and socially taught to aim for "perfection." From our work to our relationships and appearance…you know what I mean. On the flipside, boys are often taught to be bold and brave. Of course, there are variations (and men can struggle with perfectionism too!). But there's a clear trend, and it sure resonated with me. Whether it’s a...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
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...
about 2 months 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 2 months 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...
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...
3 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...
3 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...
3 months ago • 1 min read
