The Power of Community and Collaboration
In my 20’s, I felt like my professional path was going to the biggest competition of my life (think Hunger Games level). I was raised to be competitive with so many trophies and school awards available to compare myself to others. Was I the best? Or at least better?
Some friends from early in my career. Always supportive, never competition.
At one of my early jobs, a bright, smart woman transferred to our regional office from the national office. Almost instantly, the Regional Director pitted us against each other. He shared that would be one opening for a promotion in a couple months and he was considering both of us. This was before I even met her. Pretty quickly, we became friends and learned the patriarchy was pitting us against each other…and for what? We stopped the games and supported each other’s growth. We have both grown and moved on to do other incredible things. Her support and friendship was a right-time, right-place experience in my career.
But the competitions kept coming and I kept playing. Winning was fun.
And then, in my mid-thirties, I saw my ambitious drive wasn’t aligned with my values and goals. I met my husband, moved to a new state at a slower pace, and changed my goals to have a good (not the best) life. Seeing life as a collaboration and a huge group project without a final grade or a corporate raise allowed me to dream, enjoy, and breathe.
By the time I launched The Pledgettes Financial Community on August 26, 2019, I knew collaboration would be a core value. It’s a constant work-in-progress to ensure I’m leading with this value and to create a community of belonging.
Here are ways community and collaboration shine for us.
1 - Highlighting and Featuring the Speakers at our Financial Literacy events.
I knew if I was going to show women the multiple ways to build wealth, I was going to need to rely on specialists who have spent their careers gaining valuable knowledge, skills and experiences on different money topics.
At The Pledgettes speaker events (over 100+ events), professional women share their financial knowledge and experience with our community. The Pledgettes recommends building your Financial A-Team, or a group of people (Specialists, Connectors, Mentors/Mentees, Financial Friends, and Diverse Thinkers) to act as your board of directors for your Financial Journey. Many of our speakers grow their businesses by attracting our members as their clients. We have collaborated with Financial Therapists, Certified Financial Planners®, Bookkeepers, Lenders, Bankers, and more. We feature different perspectives and strategies so each member and event attendee can find the resources they need on their unique financial journey.
2 - Partner with other Women Communities for Super Events
Twice a year, on International Women’s Day and Women’s Equality Day, we collaborate with Denver women communities to celebrate together. We know that women receive different benefits from different communities and when they find the right communities for them, they grow. We have collaborated with The Giving Forward Project, Latinas First Foundation, Colorado Women’s Chamber of Colorado, Energize Colorado, Gladiate Beautifully/The Arder, Women in Sustainability, She Goes High, Undestructable, Denver Women’s Sports Collaborative, Together Digital Denver, Second Act Women, CampNetwork Experience, Phenomenal Women, and more.
Right now we are partnering with CampExperience Network and Women in Sustainability for BetterTogetherFest Colorado on Saturday, June 24, 2023. You’re invited; visit https://www.bettertogetherfestco.com/ for all the details.
I also started a dinner series with other community leaders to spend an evening focusing on the leaders who often put their members’ needs before their own. We identified collaboration ideas, shared best practices, and offered ways to support each other. We believe if we can strengthen these communities (financially, emotionally, strategically), they will be able to work towards all our missions of advancing women.
3 - Collaborating with Mission-Aligned Organizations to bring Money Talks to their communities
To extended healthy, wealthy talks to those that are not-yet-ready to take an active role in their finances or does not know where to start, Jenn collaborates with communities to bring money workshops to their communities including: Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals, Women in Sustainability, TARRA, Junior League of Denver, TGTHR to end Youth Homelessness, Colorado Career Connectors, Gritty in Pink and more.
If you have a community or organization that would benefit from a Money Workshop, reach out to us.
Ultimately, there are limitless ways to collaborate. So find some great people with a shared goal and create something. The world needs you.
And if you’re reading this, wanting to collaborate with The Pledgettes, send us a message!
