Hello Reader,

The other (snow) day, I joined my family on the sofa to watch the Greatest Showman. I had seen the movie years ago and remembered some singing and dancing and a stellar performance by Hugh Jackman.

This time, however, I sobbed my way through it.

You see, it's not a sad movie per se. It's a movie about misfits and outcasts who learn to advocate for themselves - after someone else holds up a mirror to their talents and value. Sounds familiar?

Instantly, I thought of all the under-estimated entrepreneurs who are never given the chance, never taken seriously, rarely - if ever - make it into the right rooms to show the world what they can do. Misfits.

For most of my career, I, too have felt like I didn't fit the mold (I talk about ithere):

• I believe that business can be a force for good, instead of for purely extractive capitalism.
• I forwent a career on the corporate ladder to dedicate myself to building ecosystems that benefit and uplift all.
• I will invest in the people who drive change in my community simply because they deserve our unrelenting support.

The more I think about it, the more I wonder whether anyone ever feels like they fit in. We're all different, we experience and see the world differently - why strive to fit in when no one does? In the words of Keala Settle (picture a big voice and powerful dance moves by Zendaya, k?),

Between my ears

Over the last few weeks, I have watched ecosystems that pursue truly progressive, innovative work become outcasts - once again. Their commitment to DEI, climate change adaptation and environmental protection has painted a target on their backs that the US government aims at relentlessly. Misfits.

This pisses me off EXTRA because it's only been a few years that we have received any support for our work at all. And already, we're being forced back into the shadows and told to keep our heads down if we don't want to lose funding.

All because we speak up and advocate for all the underrepresented talent and opportunity that lies dormant in our communities.

Because we don't want the planet to burn (California, people! Wake up.).

Because we're worried about running out of fresh water if we don't get our act together and figure out how to recycle and reuse it.

The developments within the federal government have been a hard blow to changemakers around the US and beyond (development work abroad).

I raised the topic in a LinkedIn post and in conversation with peers and so far, here's what I've heard are our options:

1. Don't stick your neck out. Keep quiet and hope you get away unscathed (without losing funding, public support, jobs and resources) OR
2. Start advocating for yourself and the impact you create by contributing to innovation (and its commercialization), job & economic growth and national competitiveness.

Since #1 doesn't sit so well with me, I wonder who is doing a good job advocating for their ecosystem work given the federal tensions right now. I'm looking for people who can share stories from the field, talk about what's working (and what isn't), and what's at stake.
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I hope to develop some guidance for self-advocacy for entrepreneurial ecosystem builders, innovation & entrepreneurship champions, storytellers.

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If you can help and chime in, or even want to collaborate on this, please reach out!

Bookish

All things books and independent bookshops

• I just finished Jenny Erpenbeck's novel Kairos in preparation of our next international book club at Staunton Books & Tea. Well written, fascinating historical context but the romance itself is a little twisted. Not sure I can recommend it but if you're looking for historical fiction outside the box, this might be for you.
• My German reading streak continues.
  • I just finished Die schoenste Version by Ruth-Maria Thomas and loved it from the first page to the last.
  • ​Windstaerke 17 by Caroline Wahl follows in the already big footsteps of 22 Bahnen. Intimate, close-up and deeply relatable.
• After attending her book launch at Bluebird & Co. in Crozet last Saturday, I'm deep into The Moonlight Healers by Elizabeth Becker. Historical fiction about nurses and the power of healing set in 1942 France and 2019 Crozet, VA.

I'm on a mission to visit, shop at and tell the stories of 40 Independent Bookshops by the time I turn 40 in December. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and - especially in the current political climate - some of the last, most sacred outposts for public discourse. They deserve our love, support and - most importantly - our dollars.

If you want to support me in this mission,

• Please shop at your local independent bookshop (here's a handy search tool!)
• If they're awesome, let me know here and I'll try to visit them over the next few months!
• Order your books online via Bookshop! Since 2020, Bookshop has raised more than $35 million for indie bookshops - 30% of the cover price of any book purchased through Bookshop goes directly to the indie bookseller of your choice. Brilliant, isn't it?

Shelf Life RVA Come inside one of my favorite second hand bookshops in the heart of Carytown in Richmond, VA. Shelf Life

ocelot, not just another bookstore, Berlin My last visit to Berlin didn't just introduce me to ocelot but to a 100-year old association that is committed to keeping the art of book-making and design alive. ocelot

Bookshop.org is highlighting my reading list for this project March 3-10! I don't know if anyone ever reads those but I really hope it drives more traffic to these extraordinary bookshops!

On my desk

Join us this Thursday for a sharing of best practices in convening ecosystems in a meaningful way! In partnership with my friends at EcoMap and UpSurge Baltimore I'm hosting a webinar about Best Practices in Convening Entrepreneurial Support Organizations (ESOs) on February 27, noon - 1 p.m. EST.

I will be back in your inbox in two weeks!

In camaraderie,

Anika

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