We’ve officially been Floridians for a month now, and honestly? It feels like a whole new chapter … in life and in business.
Between exploring farmers’ markets, finding our favorite coffee spots, settling the kids into school, and discovering all the little pockets of beauty around Orlando… it’s been a season of fresh air and fresh inspiration.
Here’s a little peek into what life looks like lately 👇🏽
And if there’s one thing I’ve been leaning into the most, it’s community.
You know me. I’ve always been the girl who loves walking into a room, meeting new people, hearing their stories, and figuring out how we can create something meaningful together.
Being in a brand new city has made that even more exciting. Every introduction feels like a seed planted. (And I’m watching connections grow fast here.)
So today, I want to share something near and dear to my heart: networking.
This is for creatives and alike … branding photographers, designers, or small business owners wanting to be known locally.
Because, I feel you …
Growing in a New (or Competitive) Market Isn’t Easy
If you’re building a business in Orlando, or you’ve been here but want to expand your local presence, you’ve probably felt at least one of these:
- You want more local visibility, but you’re not sure where to start.
- You crave a creative community, but you don’t know where “your people” hang out.
- You want clients who get it. The kind who value branding, visuals, storytelling, and strategy.
- You don’t want to rely on the algorithm to “hopefully” get discovered.
Sound familiar?
Here’s what I want you to remember:
You don’t build a thriving creative business by sitting behind a screen. You build it by showing up where real people are.
And lucky you! Orlando is full of creatives, makers, dreamers, and small business owners who want the same connection you do.
Although it’s not easy, it’s doable.
Here’s what I have been up to in my first month of networking in Orlando.
Connecting With Entrepreneurs at Farmers’ Markets
One of the first places I found myself exploring here in Orlando? The farmers’ markets. You already know those are my JAM lol.
There’s something about chatting with makers, creatives, and local business owners while sipping iced coffee that just feels right.
I’ve been introducing myself, learning about their businesses, and planting those first little seeds of community.
Nothing forced. Just real conversations with people who genuinely love what they do (my favorite kind of energy).
Attending Local Events and Showing Up in the Room
I’ve also been getting out to local events: meetups, mixers, creative gatherings. Just anything that helps me get a feel for who’s building what around here.
Walking into a room where you don’t know anyone can feel a little “first-day-of-school,” but every time I’ve shown up, I’ve left feeling inspired and connected.
Orlando has such a vibrant, entrepreneurial heartbeat, and being in those rooms reminded me why showing up locally is such a game-changer for visibility and community.
Introducing Myself to Brick-and-Mortar Business Owners
Another fun part of this first month has been stopping into local shops, cafes, and small businesses to introduce myself.
Nothing over the top; just a friendly, “Hey, I’m new here!” and a quick share about what I do.
These conversations have sparked everything from recommendations to collaborations to “You should meet so-and-so!” moments.
It’s been such a reminder that building community often starts with simply being willing to say hello.
Why Networking in Orlando Is a Game-Changer for Creatives Like Me
You can read all the marketing tips in the world. You can post on Instagram for months. And you can fine-tune your website every weekend.
But nothing — nothing — replaces looking someone in the eye and saying, “Hi, I’m ___, this is what I do.”
Networking goes beyond the card you hand someone. It’s the impression you leave behind. And I’m talking about the creative friendships, community, trust, and collaboration you build from it.
And when you show up in person?
- People remember you.
- They see your passion.
- They feel your energy.
- They tag you in opportunities.
- They refer you because they know you.
I felt that shift immediately here. The moment I started attending markets, co-working events, and small business meetups, I felt Orlando welcoming me with open arms.
My Own Orlando Story: How One Simple Lunch Created Momentum
Recently, I hosted a Branding Photographer Lunch Meetup here in Central Florida.
A simple but extraordinary lunch with a handful of creatives gathering around a table with good food and even better conversation.
But the moment everyone sat down, something shifted. You could feel the mix of excitement, relief, and “finally… people who get it.”
And wow… the conversations, the laughter, the shared challenges, the “same girl, SAME” moments, and all the collaboration ideas that started bubbling up. It was everything I hoped for and more.
What I thought would be a simple lunch turned into a space where people felt seen, supported, and inspired.
That lunch didn’t just make me known.
It made me be remembered as someone who brought people together, as someone building community here, and as someone worth keeping in the loop.
And that’s exactly what a community for branding photographers does. It turns strangers into connections, connections into relationships, and relationships into real opportunities.
It’s not about the event. It’s about the moment someone walks away thinking, “I want to stay connected with her.”
We Grow Faster When We Grow Together
Here’s the thing. Whether you’re building a new business, moving to a new city, or stepping into your next season of growth, connection is always the catalyst. Being in community unlocks clarity, creativity, and confidence… and that energy shows up in your brand too.
Florida has me so inspired. The sunshine, the color, the creative heartbeat here. It’s a dream backdrop for entrepreneurs who are ready to be seen in a bigger way.
If you’re stepping into that next level and you want visuals that actually match the brand you’re building, I would love to create with you.
Brand photos that elevate your presence, tell your story with intention, and position you as the go-to in your industry.
You can explore the full branding photography experience right here.
Here’s to fresh starts, thriving brands, and the power of showing up with confidence.
I’m cheering you on every step of the way. 🌴✨
