The Power of Building Communities with Connie Cay-Santos

In this conversation, Tim Hines speaks with Connie Cay-Santos about the significance of building communities, particularly for women in the events industry. Connie shares her journey from a corporate career to founding K7 Inc and co-founding Her Seat at the Table, an initiative aimed at creating safe spaces for female leaders. They discuss the importance of authenticity in community building, the challenges of balancing business goals with community needs, and the necessity of prioritizing tasks over the unrealistic notion of balance in entrepreneurship. In this conversation, Connie Cay-Santos discusses the importance of balancing time and priorities while building a community. She emphasizes the significance of trust in relationships and how it plays a crucial role in community engagement. Connie shares her strategies for scaling interactions and managing volunteers effectively, highlighting the need for authentic connections. She concludes by identifying her marketing superpower as the ability to build trust through storytelling, which is essential for successful community building and engagement.

Takeaways:

  • Building communities is essential for growth and connection
  • Connie’s journey into the events industry was unplanned but transformative
  • Creating safe spaces for women fosters open conversations and support
  • Authenticity is crucial in community interactions and relationships
  • Membership in communities should be accessible and free to encourage participation
  • Balancing community engagement with business objectives requires strategic prioritization
  • Women in the events industry face unique challenges that need addressing
  • Networking should focus on relationship building rather than immediate sales
  • Communities thrive when members feel safe to share and collaborate
  • Entrepreneurs must prioritize their tasks effectively to manage multiple responsibilities. Time is limited; prioritize effectively to avoid burnout
  • Building a community requires intentional effort and focus
  • Trust is essential for successful relationships and community building
  • One-on-one interactions foster deeper connections within the community
  • Scaling community engagement can be achieved through group interactions
  • Volunteers should align with community values and contribute meaningfully
  • It’s important to manage volunteer roles to ensure active participation
  • Building trust involves sharing authentic stories that resonate with the audience
  • Community building should come before sales tactics
  • Effective marketing relies on understanding the audience’s values