Hi Reader, June was one for the books, packed with global adventures, local celebrations, and major milestones that reminded us why we love what we do. From volunteering at WordCamp in Switzerland to raising a glass with Maryland’s best and brightest, Team Drio was on the move, building community, launching purpose-driven websites, and celebrating meaningful recognition along the way. Here’s what we’ve been up to: 🌍 Drio Goes Global: Highlights from WordCamp Europe in Basel, SwitzerlandWe crossed the Atlantic and landed in Basel, Switzerland for WordCamp Europe, where the global WordPress community came together to talk tech, trends, and teamwork. A standout session for us was from Sabrina Zeidan, who delivered a smart (and funny) talk on Core Web Vitals. Using a bank robbery analogy, she reminded us that chasing every possible culprit of poor site performance is a wild goose chase. Instead, we need to examine the real clues, apply some deductive reasoning, and fix the actual problem. One clear suspect. One clean solution. A powerful shift in mindset for building better user experiences. We also met with the team at Greyd to explore how their WaaS (Website as a Service) platform could enhance Drio's services. The Greyd Suite not just great for one-off builds, it’s ideal for organizations with multiple chapters, franchise locations, or repeatable site structures. And of course, one of the best parts of WordCamp is the people. We connected with incredible entrepreneurs and creators like Vineet Talwar, Jurij Oblak, Nicole Steindorf-Rentzsch, and Luminița Ciobanu, each one passionate about building and growing purpose-driven businesses around the world. The community is welcoming, the collaboration is real, and the inspiration is what keeps us coming back. We returned home full of ideas (and maybe a little Swiss chocolate), ready to put what we learned into action. 🌐💡 🌐 Websites LaunchedThis month, Drio launched a wave of fresh brands online. Each one thoughtfully crafted to showcase the unique identity and purpose of the organization it represents. 🏆 Drio Named a Fastest-Growing Minority-Owned Business by BBJ 🌿 Summer Soirée at Black Eyed Susan FarmOn June 26th, Hazel soaked in Maryland summer vibes at a stunning Summer Soirée hosted by L4 Property Services. Flowy, feisty, and full of charm, the evening brought together familiar faces and new connections under twinkling lights and blue skies. Big thanks to Britt Bowers and the team for creating such a warm and welcoming event. It was the perfect blend of business and barefoot elegance. 🎧 Tech Night in BaltimoreBack in Baltimore, Rachel represented Drio at Maryland Tech Council’s Tech Night at the CFG Bank HQ. The night was a high-energy celebration of growth in Maryland’s tech scene, complete with a live DJ, buzzing conversations, and lots of local pride. It was inspiring to be surrounded by innovators, founders, and community leaders who are shaping the future of tech in our region. Fun fact: this marked the third anniversary of the Baltimore Regional Council. Cheers to more collaboration, creativity, and innovation in our hometown! Thank you for being a valued Drio client, your partnership inspires us and we’re excited to keep moving forward together, building what’s next. |
Hi Reader, I often tell marketing clients, “Focus on the right things, not all the things. Trying to be everywhere at once just dilutes your efforts.” This summer, I had to take some of my own advice when I hit pause on my MBA. If you’re anything like me, you know it’s not always easy to take your own advice. 😉 I had little choice, though. When the semester ended in June, I was exhausted. The end of the semester coincided with all the big things we have happening at Drio. There was our...
Hi Reader, July was all about momentum, energized meetups, innovative ideas, and milestones that keep us inspired. From refining our pitch for WholeSite to connecting with Baltimore’s tech scene and exploring fresh opportunities for collaboration, we leaned into creativity and community at every turn. Add in a little recognition for the hard work powering our mission, and you’ve got a month that sets the stage for what’s next. Here’s the full scoop: 🎤 Perfecting the Pitch WholeSite is...
Hi Reader, Turning a big idea into a reality is no joke. For a while now, Hazel and I have been working on WholeSite, our new AI-powered platform to help small businesses build strategic websites. There are so many moving pieces required to build it, finance it, launch it…It felt insurmountable in the beginning. Where were we supposed to start? What if we focused on the wrong step at the wrong time? Thanks to the Pava LaPere award we won, we got access to a system that’s helped us...