Ecosystem Building is Storytelling
A look at the work we do building up and telling the story of our communities -- and why I'm writing a substack this year.
Ecosystem Building as Storytelling
I’m writing this for a friend.
While out to coffee he brought up my past blog. In my twenties, I published almost daily a short article on Michigan entrepreneurs. It was a fun run but not a profitable project. Ultimately, I set it down.
My work trying to tell the story of entrepreneurs hasn’t stopped but it has changed. I started a co-working company Bamboo as a side project that grew into a full time focus. As anyone who operates a company knows, it’s a lot of work and a lot of fun, and so I strayed from writing for a while.
I recently realized that “ecosystem builders” — those people who connect others, who help you on your journey, the person who brings everyone together in the community — they are telling a story of your community too.
I am one of these people. I am a writer, an operator, a sometimes angel investor, and a person who is ever trying to understand and uplift our community.
So this will be a place to explore and share.
Michigan’s Story of Itself is Changing
I am telling the story of our region, Michigan, and the hustle here.
I am telling the story of a place that has been dominated by one industry for 100+ years that is either dying or transforming. What could be more important timing than now?
I am telling the story of my fellow peers - often diverse leaders - who are left out of traditional narratives. And I will often look at how we face specific and different challenges unique to our journey.
I am telling the story of underestimated places, because we’re too Midwest humble to tell our own story.
So, monthly I’ll publish a look at Michigan’s ecosystem - the leaders, startups, trends, challenges, and changing culture.
But other times I’ll probably share about writing, storytelling, Midwest culture, or challenges I am working out in my head about life.
So, feel free to join me for a semi-regular journey.
And share with me what you’d want to see, too.
Cheers to a New Year!
-amanda
This made me smile, SO happy to read this. Get it sis.
So excited about this Amanda. Congrats. Looking forward to more reading!!! 😀