05/13/2026
Hey Reaffirm Vibes Family,
I've been doing a lot of reflecting lately on two experiences that really stretched me, the Pitch Contest for VGA's Incubator Program and the Next Top Makesy 2026 contest. Both were different, but each one had a pitch component that took me completely out of my comfort zone.
And in the quiet moments of meditation and reflection, something kept hitting me…
We HAVE to keep building community.
It was honestly eye-opening to see how hard it can be to rally votes and support, even with a long list of social media followers and phone contacts. And listen, I'm not complaining at all. I know not everyone lives on social media, numbers change, and life is busy. To everyone who took a moment to vote, share, or send encouragement, THANK YOU. Truly. You showed up for me, and that means everything.
But this experience reminded me of something important… community doesn't just happen. We have to build it on purpose.
I also want to gently say this: small businesses are not just "hobbies" or "homemade" side projects. Many of us are pouring our hearts, time, and craftsmanship into what we do. So if you come across a great product or service from a small business, please support them.
And support doesn't always mean spending money. It can look like:
A repost
A review
A comment
A like
A share
Genuine engagement
Those little things go a LONG way, especially for those of us running a 1 or 2 person business.
With so many big brands closing their doors, small businesses are rising again, and we need YOU. In every form of support you can offer.
With so much gratitude,
Nitra
