During the holidays, the NetVU staff received a gift from @Jon Gorman, our Executive Director - a book called A Year of Positive Thinking. It’s less of a traditional book and more of a daily habit. Each day, you’re meant to read a short section filled with wisdom, encouragement, or a gentle push toward courage and perspective.
I was doing pretty well keeping up with it until this week, when life got busy and I fell off track (as we all do sometimes). Thankfully, @Melissa Bond gave us a little nudge to check out the day’s quote, and I’m so glad she did:
“Spend time in the company of those who can stand up for you when you are unable, those who believe in you when you are unwilling, those who honor the magnitude of your greatness, even when you are not quite ready to yourself. They see you for who you are. Trust them, show them love, and honor these relationships.”
This quote can apply to so many areas of life - personal relationships, professional growth, moments when confidence feels strong and moments when it feels completely absent. But as I read it, I couldn’t help but think about our NetVU Community.
One of the things that makes this community so special is the way members consistently show up for one another. Whether it’s answering a question in the forum, sharing a hard-earned lesson, offering encouragement during a challenging season, or simply reminding someone that they’re not alone — that support is real. It’s not transactional. It’s genuine.
Our members stand up for each other when someone is unsure. They believe in one another when confidence dips. They celebrate wins - big and small - and help shoulder the tough days too. That kind of connection doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when people choose to invest in relationships, show up with honesty, and care about each other’s success.
And while we see that magic every day within the NetVU Community, there’s something incredibly powerful about experiencing it in person.
That’s what makes Accelerate so special.
Each year at Accelerate, we get to bring these relationships off the screen and into real life — meeting members face to face, sharing conversations that go deeper than a post or comment, laughing together, learning together, and building bonds that last long after the conference ends. Sometimes it’s the first time members meet in person after helping each other online for months or even years — and those moments never get old.
It’s a reminder that NetVU isn’t just a professional network. It’s a community of people who genuinely want to see each other succeed.
So, as I reflect on that quote, I’m incredibly grateful - for the connections we’ve built, for the members who make this community what it is, and for the way NetVU continues to feel like more than just a professional space.
It’s a place where people are seen.
Where questions are welcomed.
Where wins are celebrated.
Where challenges are met with support instead of silence.
Community isn’t just about networking, it’s about belonging. And belonging is what turns shared experiences into real relationships and professional growth into something personal.
Every time we gather at Accelerate, I’m reminded just how special this community truly is. The conversations, the hugs, the “we finally got to meet in person!” moments - they all reflect the heart behind NetVU. It’s powerful. It’s inspiring. And it’s something I never take for granted.
If you’ve ever asked or answered a question, shared advice, encouraged a fellow member, or connected with someone who made your journey a little easier - you are the reason this community thrives.
And I can’t wait to see so many of you in person at Accelerate, continuing to build the relationships that make NetVU feel like home.