Welcome back to STACKED, the show about becoming your own best asset. This week I'm going solo to answer the questions you ask me constantly: how did The Brickell Babes actually start, and what does it really take to build a community from scratch? I pull back the curtain on the unglamorous part nobody posts about. I take you back to the beginning — relocating to Miami from New York, struggling to make friends, and starting a Facebook group selfishly, out of my own need. I booked our first happy hour for 4 people, and 20 showed up. Four years later we're over 70,000 women across our platforms. I get into the media kit that changed everything, why I fought venues just to get a table, and the real difference between a community and a following. I share the 3 biggest mistakes I see people make when they try to build one, why I refused to monetize for years, and the one asset I wish I had started capturing on day one. This is the honest, no-highlight-reel version of building something that outgrows you. This episode is brought to you by The Brickell Babes, Miami’s largest network of ambitious women. Join for lifetime connections, real recommendations, curated events, exclusive perks, and a community of women who actually show up for one another. Learn more about membership. http://www.thebrickellbabes.com/membership Key Topics Covered: — Why I moved from New York to Miami with no real plan — Starting a community selfishly, out of my own need for friends and recommendations — The first happy hour: a table booked for 4, and 20 women showing up — The media kit that got local venues to say yes — Why splitting the bill kills community events — What year one of The Brickell Babes actually looked like — Authenticity in practice: consistency, honesty, and having an opinion — Community vs. following — what each one actually needs — The 3 biggest mistakes people make building a community — Why monetizing too soon is a scarcity mindset — Underpromise and overdeliver as the rule for brand partnerships — Owned media: why email and demographics beat followers — What I wish I knew at the very beginning Timestamps: 00:00 – Cold Open + Welcome 01:31 – Why This Solo Episode on Community Building 02:13 – How The Brickell Babes Started: Moving to Miami With No Friends 03:51 – The First Happy Hour: Planned for 4, 20 Women Showed Up 05:03 – Why Splitting the Bill Defeats the Purpose of Community 05:26 – The Media Kit That Opened Doors With Venues 08:52 – What Year One of Building a Community Actually Looked Like 09:59 – Authenticity in Practice: Consistency, Honesty & Having Opinions 10:43 – Reaching 70,000 Women While Staying Consistent 13:17 – Community-First vs. Influencer-Driven Growth 14:02 – The Unsexy, High-Touch Work Behind a 70,000-Person Community 15:17 – The Moment Brickell Babes Stopped Feeling Like a Hobby 16:24 – The 3 Biggest Mistakes People Make Building Community 17:59 – Why I Didn't Monetize Earlier — And Why Restraint Paid Off 18:52 – What a Community Needs That a Following Doesn't (The YPO Model) 21:16 – What I Wish I Knew Earlier About Owned Media 22:54 – Accept Help, Let Other People Lead 23:22 – Closing + Where to Find STACKED & The Brickell Babes Tags: community building, how to build a community, Brickell Babes, women's network, Miami, Emily Dempsey, community vs following, owned media, email list, brand partnerships, founder journey, women entrepreneurs, building in public, networking for women, STACKED podcast, organic growth, community first, women in business, passion project to business Disclaimer: The content shared on this page should not be construed as legal, financial, investment, or medical advice. Your viewing and/or use of this information does not create any kind of client, patient, or fiduciary relationship with us. The contents are intended for general informational purposes only, and you are urged to consult your own advisors concerning your situation and specific questions you may have.
