As a person, I am lacking in confidence.
“Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”
A question I never knew how to answer, and even when I googled how to answer it, I felt like a fraud with my made-up words.
For most of my professional life, I felt like I was one big failure.
I felt inadequate.
I didn’t know how to begin a business when I started.
I didn't know how to answer that question, and I put too much stock into what someone else believed about me, than what I believed about myself.
In 2015 when I officially began my LLC, my biggest supporters encouraged me that making connections and knowing just how to connect with others IS my skillset.
Not even sure what that meant 100%, yet still aiming to go for it.
I set out to partner with folks who want to change.
Are you someone who desires change in an area of your life?
Do you want to change your mindset?
Want to add to your life?
Do you want to expand the relationships in your life?
Have you got the desire to connect with others around a topic you have in common or desire to learn more about?
Now, I catch myself smiling at the significant growth, confidence-boosting activities, and risk-taking work that has grown Monarch, as well as myself, and others.
Monarch is 5 years old now that it is 2023 and we are operating in our future now.
Monarch Connections has always offered dynamic content, and moving forward, I want MC to focus on dynamic ideas, productions, and content, with an emphasis on “Community over Content.”
Next is now.
What does ‘community over content’ mean?
Community over content means I must create communities as well as create content.
I need to address something. I did not start a company to only run an Instagram account.
I use IG as a space to engage in conversation, ask provocative questions, and share stories of change, images, and video content to spark curiosity, as I run this company.
Creating content to engage our customers is necessary, yet Monarch Connections uses content to spark, continue, and provoke conversation. In a community, together, when we gather, go deep, listen, and work together, this — this is what a company based on relationships needs to keep going.
If the next is now, I hope that in this rollout of MC Communities, I can achieve the next goal: offer higher-level communities over only content creation.
How do you engage with MC Communities?
Depending on who you are and how you currently engage, you will join the community/communities that best suits your needs.
Please bear with me. Since I only run MC with my two hands, the rollout will be over a course of a few days, and many reminders, so please keep checking back. Refreshing your page, DMing, and emailing me your thoughts and troubleshooting questions are needed.
Introducing Monarch Connections Communities
Right now, the MC Communities for White Adoptive Parents* (open to white foster and prospective parents as well) is available.
Wednesday, you will see updates for MC Communities for Adoptees, and more communities as the days emerge.
If you are a white adoptive parent* Monarch Connections has created a community for you.
If you are an adoptee, continue to read what Monarch Connections is doing for and will continue to do for the adoptee community. On average 12-15 adoptees show up for Adoptee Talk, a gathering space for us to discuss our adoptions, our struggles, and our questions, and to form friendships with one another. Adoptee Talk is the only group that meets to connect with all adoptees, including same race, late discovery, transracial, international, special needs, and all other types of adoptees.
**Stay tuned on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, for the MC Community for Adoptees to launch** (monarch-connections.com and www.instagram.com/monarchconnections)
So, Monarch Connections Communities has a place for you too.
Since my first MC event way back, I have found myself in new and budding relationships, friendships, and networking conversations with many people who have found their way to MC. Many of you have told me of friends you have made, organizations you have started, conversations you have kept going after an event, and relations to another community or company you have heard about via Monarch Connections.
It is time for you to have more meaningful connections too.
More about the MC Communities:
All communities will be led with coaching in mind by me, a certified life coach, and trained facilitator.
MC Communities are listed on my website at monarch-connections.com. If you do not hit the link, go to monarch-connections.com, and on the header, there is a toolbar. Click “Member Services” and click “Monarch Connections Communities.” (Create a login and let’s get comfortable!)
Tiers for connection. You can decide how you can participate and can join/cancel anytime.
If this is something you are willing to share, please do so. Simply click the button below and repost this wherever you desire!
Whatever fears you have about making even one connection, I hope you can find joy and peace in trying something new. My insecurities are deep in other areas, so I understand how hard this kind of thing can be. Please know I am open to questions and would love to hear from you. Overall, I hope you are encouraged to grow with Monarch Connections as we grow.
Thank you for building thus far with me and others, I cannot wait to see how you connect with our new communities in the coming days.
- Molly with Monarch Connections