When one introverted professional couldn’t find a women’s networking group that truly felt welcoming, she created her own — and turned it into a $30,000-a-year business.
Challenge
When Crystal C. moved from Detroit to Denver in 2013, she was excited to start a new chapter. But as an introvert in a new city, she quickly realized how hard it was to build connections.
She tried attending networking events, hoping to meet like-minded women, but most gatherings felt superficial or intimidating. They didn’t create the kind of supportive, collaborative environment she craved.
“I wanted a space where women could grow together, not just exchange business cards,” she later said.
So Crystal decided to create what she couldn’t find — a genuine, empowering community for women in business.
Action
By day, Crystal worked as the Director of Public Relations and Customer Service for a regional grocery chain. But by night, she poured her energy into building something new: a social enterprise called Women of Denver.
To start, she launched a small blog where she wrote about women’s leadership and professional development. The content helped her build credibility and attract early interest.
Then she organized her first free meetup for women in Denver. The goal was simple — bring together ambitious women in a comfortable, welcoming setting where they could share advice and resources.
The response was incredible. Within months, the group grew to hundreds of members. Crystal hosted three to five events each month, featuring workshops, speakers, and skill-building sessions.
But growth came with a problem: it was taking too much of her time. Between organizing venues, promoting events, and hosting sessions, she was stretched thin.
After a year of running the group for free, Crystal faced a tough choice — shut it down or turn it into a sustainable business.
She chose the second option and introduced paid memberships.
It wasn’t easy. Most of the original members left when the group switched from free to paid. But Crystal stayed focused, confident that new members who were willing to invest financially would also invest emotionally.
She began using Eventbrite, Meetup.com, and LinkedIn to promote her events and connect with professional women who valued growth and collaboration. Slowly but surely, the right audience started to find her.
Result
In its first year as a paid community, Women of Denver earned $7,000. The following year, that number more than doubled to $15,000, and by year three, Crystal was on track to make $30,000 in net income — all from something that started as a small local meetup.
Beyond the income, the project completely transformed Crystal herself. The once-shy introvert who used to dread public speaking was now leading workshops, moderating panels, and hosting conferences. Her confidence grew to the point where she was invited to deliver a TEDx talk — something she once thought she’d never do.
Today, Women of Denver has expanded far beyond its original meetups. Crystal added a podcast, an online community, and a digital magazine focused on women’s entrepreneurship and leadership.
Her mission remains the same: to help women increase their income, confidence, and impact — one event at a time.
Lesson
Crystal’s story proves that introverts can be powerful community builders. You don’t need to be the loudest voice in the room to create something meaningful — you just need to listen, lead with purpose, and take action.
It also highlights an important business truth: people who sign up for free events aren’t always the same people who’ll pay for them. By transitioning to a paid model, Crystal not only made her work sustainable but also built a community of women truly committed to growth.
What began as a way to make friends in a new city became a platform for empowering thousands.
Sometimes, the best way to find belonging is to build it yourself.
Inspired by a true story originally featured on Side Hustle School by Chris Guillebeau. This rewritten version is independently produced and fully original.