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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, Our International Women’s Soiree isn’t a big money-maker, but that was never the goal. Even though it’s always a lot of work, Hazel and I keep running the event because it keeps us connected to the bigger picture and why we started Drio in the first place. Plus, it’s a blast. Each time we run it, I can expect our wonderful keynote speakers will light us up with their words of wisdom, and that I’ll have fun connecting with new and familiar faces. Each year also always brings an...
Hi Reader, I’m about to start the last class of my MBA. It’s crazy to think that, 21 months after it all kicked off, I’ll officially be graduated in May. As I’m gearing up for the last push, I’ve been thinking about the tennis player, Mirra Andreeva. There’s this thing she does when she wins a tournament that I never see anyone else do. First, she thanks her family, coaches, and opponents. Then she thanks herself. Here’s a snippet from that speech: “I know what I have been dealing with, and I...
Hi Reader, The website world is full of jargon. If you’re trying to get a new website up and running, I don’t blame you if you’re feeling overwhelmed. Even just finding the right “type” of website team can be confusing, so I wanted to give you a little primer. Essentially, website teams usually land in one of two camps: Camp 1: Designers who build websites They typically lead with aesthetics, offer branding support, and create gorgeous-looking websites. That said, they tend to have less...