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Wednesday night at The Modern was one of those evenings I'll carry with me for a long time.

Not because everything went perfectly. Not because we had the biggest crowd or the fanciest setup. But because of what happened when we all showed up—14 female founders, 5 brave enough to take the stage, and around 50 people who chose to spend their evening supporting something real.

The Power of Showing Up

I'm grateful for the founders who shared their stories. Lauren Ephrat from Dogistry, Kinda Lincoln from Raven + Lily, Rocío León from Tozi Superfoods, Jordan Danks from Thanks Danks Steak Jerky, and Leanne Viola from Whims Chocolates. Each of them stood up there and got real with us. No polished pitches. No corporate speak. Just honest stories about the struggles, the wins, and everything in between.

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That takes courage. And I'm grateful they trusted us with their truth.

Gratitude for the People Who Make It Possible

None of this happens without people who believe in the vision.

Jon Oh and The Well kept us fed with incredible food all evening. There's something about breaking bread together that makes conversations deeper, connections stronger. Thank you, Jon.

Merrill and The Modern Austin Residences gave us that stunning 53rd floor penthouse—those views, that space, the atmosphere. It set the tone for an evening that felt special because it was special. Thank you, Merrill.

Kinda Lincoln and Raven + Lily generously sponsored our raffle giveaway with an incredible prize. Their commitment to empowering women extends beyond their own business, and it showed. Thank you, Kinda.

The Real Magic: Connection

But here's what I'm most grateful for—the connections that happened in that room.

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I watched founders exchange numbers. I saw people lean in during conversations, genuinely curious about each other's journeys. I heard laughter, saw knowing nods, witnessed that moment when someone realizes, "Oh, you get it. You've been through this too."

That's what it's all about.

Not the metrics. Not the growth charts. Not even the businesses themselves, as important as they are.

It's about people supporting people. Entrepreneurs understanding entrepreneurs. A community that shows up for each other.

Why Gratitude Matters in Entrepreneurship

Building a business can be isolating. You're constantly facing decisions, challenges, and setbacks that most people don't understand unless they've walked the same path.

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Nights like Wednesday remind us we're not alone.

They remind us that there's a community here in Austin—and beyond—that wants to see us succeed. That celebrates our wins and supports us through the tough times.

That's worth celebrating. That's worth being grateful for.

Looking Forward

As I look back on Wednesday night, I'm filled with gratitude. For the founders who shared their stories. For the sponsors who made it possible. For every person who walked through that door and chose to be part of something meaningful.

This is just the beginning.

I'm committed to continuing to create spaces where entrepreneurs can connect, share, and grow together. Where we can be real about the journey—the messy, complicated, beautiful journey of building something from nothing.

Thank you for being part of this.

Until the next one, Mathias