Let’s get one thing straight: I love a good connection. PERIOD.
But not the shallow kind where people just collect LinkedIn requests like Pokémon cards. Ok?

I’m talking about real connections. Rooted in respect, generosity, and gasp… mutual benefit. And clarifying here, mutual benefit is not quip pro quo.

I like to think of this as genuine collaboration where all involved give as much as they get. And what is required for this seemingly utopian ideal? Easy, clear & kind communication, expectations and ...AND curiosity! 

The key to building authentic relationships? 

Show up as yourself—and **go where it’s warm.
Translation: be in rooms where your values are seen and respected, where people don’t just tolerate you—they welcome you.
If that’s not the vibe? Bye, boy, bye.

As Women in Business- whether we are leaders in our own company or within someone else's growth, one thing is so true.

WE CAN NO LONGER JUST PUT PINK ON THE PATRIARCHY!

Because as a woman in business (especially if you’re building something with impact), the where matters just as much as the who. If you have to shrink to belong, it’s not the room for you. Period.

We’re in a moment—one of those rare, wild, history-making windows—where the old models aren’t working, and the new ones are still taking shape. Which means: now is exactly the time to be brave, intentional, and unapologetically collaborative.

So no, I’m not here to “network.”
I’m here to build coalitions. And my hunch is, so are you! 

These are coalitions which are rooted in true sustainability. strategy and a sincere desire to build better!

And let's be honest, networking has a bit of a branding problem.
People hear the word and think of awkward mixers, stiff handshakes, and someone trying to sell you something before you finish your drink. Hard pass. But that’s not how it has to be.

Networking— or coalition building more accurately updated, when done with intention and authenticity—can be one of the most transformative parts of building a business.

The goal isn’t just to “get ahead.” It’s to build a community that gets you, shares values, and wants to see you win.

It’s also how we dismantle the “I did it all by myself” myth once and for all. Because, hey sis, that is some bulllll sh*t. No one and I mean NO ONE has done it by themselves, not a single one of the questionably qualified leaders in office currently have gotten to their roles on their own. 

And for those of us who are qualified and in many cases, over qualified, we must lean into our communities to both have those super powers supported and to share those resources aptly. Authentic connections are a renewable resource—not something that drains you. And I know that you know this is truth. 

Here’s how to grow your network without selling your soul (or calendar):

1. Lead with generosity, not desperation.

The best way to start a relationship is by giving—not taking. Support someone’s work, show up to their events, share their wins. Generosity builds trust. 

2. Be in spaces that reflect your values.

Don’t waste time elbowing your way into rooms that weren’t built for you. Go where you’re seen, where you’re respected, and where your voice adds to the harmony—not just the volume.

3. Follow up like a human.

A thoughtful DM > a spammy newsletter sign-up. Be a real person. It’s amazing how far a kind, well-placed follow-up can go.

4. Say no (or not right now) with grace.

True Boundaries - with a capital B- are part of sustainability. You can’t connect with everyone at once, and that’s okay. Choose your yes-es wisely.

It takes a Woman- Forward Village

And when I say Woman - Forward, I don't just mean all women. We've done plenty on our own or without the support of men. And this is not entirely our new leadership paradigm to carry on our own. Woman-forward is based on Womanism. This is a form of feminism elaborated on by Alice Walker. Walker defined "womanism" as embracing the courage, audacity, and self-assured demeanor of Black women, alongside their love for other women, themselves, and all of humanity.

YES! I am calling on all the strong women leaders I know and we also need to call on our kind, supportive and caring male counterparts who claim to be feminist to support our growing coalitions of change. They can be involved in the coalitions, too! But they must be aligned in the values of a healthy and humanist world that supports us all. 

That said, I’m not doing this work in isolation—and that’s the point. And I hope that you aren't either, sis. 

I’ve intentionally aligned with values-based organizations across sectors, geographies, and industries that are all championing change in their own way.

Here are just a few of the communities I’m proud to call collaborators:

• Better Business Women PDX 
• Culture ShiftHers – Detroit 
• Women in Tech 1871 – Chicago 
• SheFi 
• LBI Digital 
• Right to Start 
• Chief 
• AnitaB
• HerHeadquarters 
• Ventures Partners  
• The A List 
• WBEC Pacific
• Portland Business Journal’s BizWomen Coalition
• Junior League of Portland
• PDXWIT – Portland Women in Tech
• The Wing 

 —all championing next-level networking and women-led business strategy.

Why Does Building a Woman-Forward Coalition Matter?

This week, we marked another Equal Pay Day on March 25.

Notably, this is the very symbolic date marking how far into the year women must work to earn what men made the year before. And listen—symbolism only goes so far.

📉 Women working full-time, year-round in the U.S. earn 83 cents on the dollar.

📉 Factor in part-time work, and that drops to 75 cents.

📉 For Black, Latina, and Indigenous women, the pay gap is even worse!

That’s not just unfair—it’s dangerous. It blocks wealth-building, limits power, and keeps us working twice as hard for half the recognition. We’re not waiting on corporate equity statements. We’re building new tables entirely. And those tables are round—no corner offices, no gatekeepers.

• Protect your finances: Keep contributing to your retirement—even small amounts count. And freeze your credit if needed to safeguard against rising fraud.
• Register to vote: Policy changes start with the people in power. Your vote matters.
• Support legislation like the Paycheck Fairness Act: Let’s rewrite the rules—transparency, accountability, equity.

And yes, organize your business, too.

That’s where Business 4 Good comes in.

We offer community-led consulting for entrepreneurs and change- makers who want to grow based on values—not vibes alone.

This isn’t about burning down the system. (Well, maybe just the parts that were never built for us.)

We Women leaders are building something that finally works—for all of us.

The future of business is not and cannot be just based in strategy or speed. That's simply not sustainable nor is it healthy.

The future of business is our relationships, equity, collaboration, and imagination.

And we get to build that future together.

Are you in?
YES? YES!

Please share this article on your LinkedIn, your social feeds where you feel like you want to be seen for who you really are as a leader in this world. We are not being quiet in the face of this systems upgrade.

And if I can help support your level up in this wild time, please check out how we can work together here!
Don't forget we are collectively building business 4 good so please check out the Founding Collaborators offerings, too.

Looking ahead!

Rose