What a Wine Tasting Taught Me About Building Community in New Jersey goes way beyond a clever event headline—it’s become my rallying cry. If you’ve ever put your heart into something and all you get is crickets, you’re not alone.
I’ve been there. Actually, super recently. A few months ago, I set out to organize a networking wine tasting in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, bringing women together to build real relationships through shared experience. I teamed up with ECR Vintners, built out forms, coded the landing page, did the emails, the socials—you know. The drill.
And then… nothing. Three weeks out, signups were embarrassingly low.
Here’s the thing: My past life as a data analyst taught me to obsess over the numbers, always hunting for clues in the data to predict what’s next. So, when numbers looked grim, I went down the “maybe it’s time to pull the plug” rabbit hole. Should I even keep pushing? Does anyone care? Let’s be honest: We all “know” we’re supposed to repeat ourselves in business. Once isn’t nearly enough. But insecurity? That’ll have you convinced your project is dead before it ever gets a real shot.
Still, I kept going. Not because I felt wildly confident—but because on a whim, I joined an Entreprenista “Feedback Friday” call and put my dilemma on the table.Should I cancel?Is it even worth it anymore?
The group’s advice? People hedge. They wait. Three weeks is a lifetime in event signups. Most will hop on board last minute, right before FOMO kicks in.
You know what? That’s exactly what happened. Days before the event, numbers shot up. Stressful? Wildly. Would I prefer early RSVPs so I could plan every detail stress-free? Absolutely. But that’s not how real community-building works.The night itself? More than I could have wished for. Thought-provoking conversations. Women who didn’t want to leave. That “buzzing room” feeling you can’t replicate on Zoom.
Here’s What a Wine Tasting Taught Me About Building Community in New Jersey (Tips for Your Next Networking Event)
- Don’t judge your efforts too soon. The numbers might look stodgy until the very last minute—but trust the process.
- Ask for help and feedback. Community is your not-so-secret weapon. When you’re stuck, get outside perspective.
- Repeat yourself. Like, a lot. Share your event everywhere—stories, emails, group DMs—even when you worry you sound like a broken record.
- Make it personal. Share why you’re organizing. Vulnerability draws people in.
- Expect the unexpected. Flexibility is everything; so is keeping faith until the finish line.
- Celebrate the small wins. Whether it’s one RSVPer or a full house, acknowledge every step.
Bottom line: When it feels like nobody’s listening, try one more time. Send another invite. Ask for a boost. Let your crew cheer you on, and watch what happens.
Your persistence? That’s your power. Sometimes the “almost didn’t happen” turns out to be your best story yet.
XO Angela
Angela Atelier is where bold, ambitious women in NJ & NY come to see themselves—truly and unapologetically—through transformational personal branding and portrait photography.
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