Bay Area Entrepreneurs

Today we are working in a beautiful location near U Spittelmarkt with a big desk, power sockets, free WiFi, available food/drinks and air conditioning. NOTE: We don't share the venue location publicly. Find out where it is by joining our Telegram chat group: [https://spam-destroyer.com/check/jelly](https://spam-destroyer.com/check/jelly) 😴 Tired of working by yourself? 🌡️ Too hot or too cold to work at home? 🍫 Contents of your fridge or the laundry distracting you? 💻 Come join other freelancers and remote workers for coworking! ☕️ No membership requirements, free WiFi, some power sockets, a large desk, some affordable coffee, toasted sandwiches and drinks! ⏰ We'll be there from the start time, but feel free to stop by any time. • WHAT TO BRING • Whatever you need to work on your own project / tasks :) • QUESTIONS? • Join our Telegram chat group to ask any questions: [https://spam-destroyer.com/check/jelly](https://spam-destroyer.com/check/jelly) • MORE EVENTS? • To have more events, we need more organisers. If you would like to help out, please get in touch [😀](https://emojipedia.org/grinning-face/)

* **NEW IG ACCOUNT: [@neurocrafting.berlin](https://www.instagram.com/neurocrafting.berlin?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==) (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ\*:･ﾟ✧** Calling all neurodivergent individuals! Are you tired of starting hobbies that you never seem to finish? Join us for an evening of guilt-free creativity where there is absolutely no pressure to complete anything. This event is designed to be a safe space where you can freely express your creativity without fear of judgment or criticism. We will have a variety of crafting supplies available including paint, yarn, crochet needles, beads, coloring books, origami paper, markers... However, feel free to bring your own supplies or current projects if you'd like to work on something specific. **There is a donation of a minimum of 4-5 euros to cover the materials and space.** In case you wish to pay via paypal: neurocrafting.berlin@gmail.com

Ready to own the room? Communication is the ultimate bridge between writing great code and building a great career. Join **WBS CODING SCHOOL** and **Empowered in Tech** for an evening dedicated to visibility, growth, and community. 👉 **Register here:** https://3vgdb.share.hsforms.com/28orDpogORG6uD77A7pDFDA We’re bringing together a powerhouse panel of experts to discuss how to navigate technical environments with confidence: * **Alina Eckert**, Head of Organisational Development at **Staffbase** * **Bohdana Saprun**, Senior Product Manager & Product Owner at **DocMorris** * **Anna Varosyan**, Vice President of Engineering at **Affinidi** * Moderated by: **Sarah Wachs**, Co-Founder of **Empowered in Tech** Following the panel, **Aya Port**, Instructional Designer at **Catalyst eLearning Design**, will lead an interactive workshop on **"The Art of Clarity"**. You’ll learn to translate complex technical info into impactful narratives – a vital skill for any tech professional. We’ll wrap up with a networking session to forge real connections over shared experiences. Food and drinks will be available, so you can focus on connecting and leveling up together. 👉 **Register here:** https://3vgdb.share.hsforms.com/28orDpogORG6uD77A7pDFDA **Event Details:** * **Date:** Tuesday, March 10th * **Time:** 18:00 – 21:00 * **Location:** Cuvrystraße 1, 10997 Berlin **Note:** To foster a candid and supportive space, this event is specifically designed for **FINTA** (Female, Inter, Non-Binary, Trans, and Agender) individuals. \-\-\- **About WBS CODING SCHOOL** Empowering ambitious minds to conquer the tech world. Since 2019, we’ve been breaking barriers to make tech careers accessible to everyone. From AI, Data, UX/UI to AI Software Development, our expert-led courses teach skills that matter. But we’re more than just a school – we’re a thriving community where passion meets opportunity. Ready to launch your future? Join us and build the career you deserve.

This is an [in-person communication lab](https://www.presentation-school.com/berlin-presentation-lab) that helps professionals speak clearly and confidently under pressure using proven methods. Most people don’t struggle because they don’t practice enough. They struggle because they practice without the right principles. This session focuses on deliberate, guided practice informed by performance psychology, neuroscience, and modern communication training. **What You Will Do** * Learn one science-based communication principle that improves real-world performance. * Train that principle in structured speaking exercises designed for skill development. * Receive clear, professional feedback you can apply immediately. Practice and feedback are guided by experienced communication professionals who work with executives and senior professionals. This is not peer-to-peer feedback or open discussion. **Who Should Attend?** * Non-native English speakers * Professionals who present, lead meetings, or speak up at work * Anyone who overthinks, freezes, or loses clarity under pressure * People who want structured improvement, not just repetition No prior experience is required. **What This is NOT** * A lecture. * A motivational talk. * A public performance. * Unstructured open practice. * Peer-led feedback or opinion-based critique. **Before The Session** Before the session, participants complete a short preparation form to clarify their goals and common communication challenges. This helps ensure the practice and feedback during the lab are as relevant and effective as possible. **Optional:** Participants may submit a short video (1–2 minutes) or written questions. This is optional and used to personalise focus areas and examples during the session. No individual coaching is provided. **After the Session** Participants receive a short follow-up pack with key takeaways, practical drills, a reflection question, and guidance on next steps. **Practical Information** Language: English Duration: 2 hours Format: In-person, structured group lab Address: Chausseestraße 86, 10115 Berlin Healthy snacks and water provided. Price: €25 per session If you are looking for a professional, practical way to improve how you communicate and want to train using principles that actually lead to results, this lab is a good place to start.

Ready to own the room? Communication is the ultimate bridge between writing great code and building a great career. Join us and our host WBS CODING SCHOOL for an evening dedicated to visibility, growth, and community. Please not that the signup will be handled through this form: https://3vgdb.share.hsforms.com/28orDpogORG6uD77A7pDFDA **🗓️ Agenda** 6:00: Arrival and networking 6:15: Welcome and Intro Panel Discussion: Navigating communication challenges Workshop: Communicating Information Effectively by Aya Port 8.30pm: Wrapping up and networking **Panel Discussion:** We’re bringing together a powerhouse panel of experts to discuss how to navigate communication challenges in technical environments with confidence: ● **Alina Eckert,** Head of Organisational Development at Staffbase ● **Bohdana Saprun**, Senior Product Manager & Product Owner at DocMorris ● **Anna Varosyan**, Vice President of Engineering at Affinidi ● Moderated by: **Sarah Wachs** ofEmpowered in Tech **Workshop: Communicating Information Effectively** How well can you teach others? In the tech world, we are always learning new things, and in turn teaching others. But explaining to novices what we already know well can be a challenge in itself. Whether you’re onboarding a new team member, demonstrating your product to clients, or communicating with other teams in your company, you need to able to articulate your knowledge clearly for them to be able to learn and retain it. In this workshop, we’ll focus on how to communicate your knowledge and expertise effectively, in whichever format it may be. You’ll learn an easy framework for considering your audience, what they know and what they need, and structuring your information based on proven best practice in adult education. **Aya Port** As a seasoned and enthusiastic instructional designer and eLearning developer, Aya specializes in designing quality bespoke, self-paced eLearning courses for highly-experienced professional audiences. Drawn to the challenge of creating engaging and effective online training, she uses her skills and creativity to unpack complex topics and create courses learners love. **🍕 Food and Drinks** There will be food and beverages sponsored by our host WBS Coding School. 📍**About WBS Coding School** WBS CODING SCHOOL is an award-winning provider of modern tech bootcamps. We teach people to code, to design, to create, to analyse – and to think like tech professionals. We believe that the tech industry should not be a restrictive club for the few, but a realm of opportunity open to everyone. Together we empower the diverse tech talents of tomorrow by guiding to knowledge and fostering personal growth **☂️ About the FLINTA label** This event is labeled as FLINTA (women, lesbians, intersex, non-binary, trans and agender) as we make it a mission to empower women and other underrepresented minorities in the tech community. 💗 **Code of Conduct** We are dedicated to providing a safe and welcoming experience for everyone who participates in our events. By attending our event, you agree to the Berlin Code of Conduct: https://berlincodeofconduct.org/en 📸 **Media Consent** We may be taking photos of this event for social media posts. If you do not want to be photographed, please let the organizers at the event know. We will make sure to respect your privacy. 👋 **About Empowered in Tech** We are a local community in Berlin dedicated to empowering FLINTA (women, lesbians, intersex, non-binary, trans and agender) people to excel in their tech journey. Our events offer study groups, technical workshops, hackathons, networking events, panel discussions, lightning talks, and social events. Stay in touch with the community! Join our Slack: [https://bit.ly/EmpoweredInTechSlack](https://bit.ly/EmpoweredInTechSlack)

📍 **Join us in Berlin! Food & drinks are on us 😉** We’re Startupistan, an NGO in Germany, and we’re hosting an in-person event to introduce our work, share our mission, and showcase our tech scholarship programs. ✨ Meet the team, learn about our Google AI & SAP scholarship programs, and connect with others interested in tech careers. 📅 **10 March \| 18:00** 🔗 **[Save your spot now!](https://perspectivefunnel.co/64cbc4d1baec8d0014d4cef3/699d81bd32b1cf693029ccb0/)** 🔗[ ](https://www.startupistan.org/)**[Startupistan.org](https://www.startupistan.org/)**

# Workshop: From Zero to 1 Billion Rows Process 1 billion+ rows of real-world NHS prescription data with Exasol Personal. Install the database, build a data pipeline with workflow orchestration, and create an AI-powered dashboard. ## Workshop Outline * Configure Exasol Personal on AWS * Build a reliable data ingestion pipeline * Ingest 1B+ rows with data cleaning in staging * Create data warehouse tables ready for analytics * Build an AI-powered dashboard for instant analytics Note: You need an AWS account with admin permissions if you want to install Exasol Personal yourself. Otherwise we will provide access to a pre-configured Exasol instance for your experiments during the workshop. ## Details * Date: March 10, 2026 * Time: 18:00 (doors open earlier) * Location: Hotel Telegraphenamt, Berlin This workshop is part of Exasol Xperience 2026, an in-person gathering in Berlin for customers, prospects, and partners. The event offers customer success stories, use cases, panel discussions, and a chance to connect with the Exasol community. DataTalks.Club community members can attend the conference for free with code EXA-VIP-RDTC. [https://www.exasol.com/events/exasol-xperience/registration/](https://www.exasol.com/events/exasol-xperience/registration/) ## Speaker Alexey Grigorev - Founder of DataTalks.Club, principal data scientist, and creator of the Zoomcamp free course series. He teaches 100,000+ students worldwide and has 16+ years of software engineering experience. This workshop is sponsored by Exasol. Thank you for supporting our community!

Looking to connect with fellow founders and entrepreneurs or simply looking for an excuse to drink on a Wednesday? Join us for a relaxed evening of camaraderie and beer, the premier monthly gathering for startup founders and entrepreneurs. Nestled in the cozy ambiance of a classic English pub, this is the perfect spot to connect with like-minded innovators, exchange best practices, and unwind after a day of disrupting industries. Whether you're pitching your latest idea or simply soaking in the entrepreneurial spirit over a good brew, you'll find yourself in great company. Raise a glass to successes, share the hurdles, and toast to the journey of entrepreneurship.

🌟 Join us for **"Don't Eat Alone"** – an event designed to transform your lunch break into a social feast! **Tired of solitary meals in front of the computer?** **Thriving to meet some new people and curious what it may bring to your life?** Just come, check and enjoy a delicious meal with friendly faces. Connect with like-minded individuals, engage in conversations, and make your lunchtime a memorable social experience. Mark your calendar, bring your appetite, and let's build connections, one meal at a time! 🍽️🤝✨ PAYMENTS: the meetup is free, but everyone pays for their meals. Here you can pay by card easily.

Looking to connect with fellow founders and entrepreneurs or simply looking for an excuse to drink on a Wednesday? Join us for a relaxed evening of camaraderie and beer, the premier monthly gathering for startup founders and entrepreneurs. Nestled in the cozy ambiance of a classic English pub, this is the perfect spot to connect with like-minded innovators, exchange best practices, and unwind after a day of disrupting industries. Whether you're pitching your latest idea or simply soaking in the entrepreneurial spirit over a good brew, you'll find yourself in great company. Raise a glass to successes, share the hurdles, and toast to the journey of entrepreneurship.

A sharing circle for neurodivergent people navigating Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), and Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS). **Location:** With the Rubbles of Old Palaces https://maps.app.goo.gl/ejMj3GFTinXv2djj7 The map on Meetup might not be accurate, please use the above link instead. **What to expect:** * Share info, vent, or just listen on others how hormonal fluctuations impact our lives, especially as neurodivergent individuals facing sensory sensitivities, emotional regulation, and executive function challenges. * The sharing circle will be moderated by **Anika Freitag**, a fellow neurodivergent person and biochemist who is also navigating hormonal fluctuation challenges. **IMPORTANT:** * **Please note:** This space welcomes neurodivergent people of all gender identities who menstruates. We use the term **menstruating people** to be inclusive of trans men, non-binary individuals, and others who menstruate. * **If you can’t attend, please edit your RSVP to give the spot to others people.** * Bring sensory tools (headphones, stimming toys, etc.), and we will have some available. * A quiet corner will be provided for breaks. * This event is for late-diagnosed adults (18+). * **The event is free but a donation is very much appreciated to contribute to the space that hosts us.** * **Community Disclaimer:** this event is a community-led initiative organized by neurodivergent volunteers who dedicate their time, energy, and resources to create a welcoming space. We strive to make our events as accessible as possible but we also have our own limitations. We kindly ask for your understanding and empathy, as we rely on the support and cooperation of all participants to foster a healthy, inclusive environment. See you!

Weil es beim letzten Mal so schön war, treffen wir uns diesmal wieder im **CI Space auf der Bugenhagenstraße 9, 10551 Berlin** (https://maps.app.goo.gl/dXaYKm8fkhBsxk42A). Vielen Dank an Iztok Petek, den Inhaber vom CI Space (www.facebook.com/cispaceberlin), der das wieder kostenlos für uns möglich macht - bitte dankt es ihm nach Möglichkeit mit dem Kauf von 1, 2 Getränken vor Ort! **Bitte seid spätestens 5min vor 9 Uhr da, da wir pünktlich starten werden.** Die ersten sind i. d. R. bereits ab 8:30 Uhr da, um vorab schonmal ein bisschen durchzustarten mit dem Netzwerken :)... Denkt daran **genügend Visitenkarten,** bitte mindestens eine, mitzubringen für die moderierte Netzwerkrunde. **Veranstaltungsort:** CI Space (Berlin-Moabit) Bugenhagenstraße 9 10551 Berlin Nächste **U-Bahn-Station**: U9 Turmstraße oder U9 Birkenstraße (jeweils ca. 5 Gehminuten). **Start:** pünktlich 08:55 Uhr (ab 08:30 Uhr sind sonst die ersten da) Zum nun bereits 7. Mal verschlägt es uns nach Moabit! Unser neuer Moderator [Der Gottwald (siehe hier)](www.der-gottwald.de) lädt erneut ein und führt euch durch den Morgen. Wie immer bieten wir eine moderierte Netzwerkrunde für euch an, um neue Kontakte zu knüpfen und das eigene Business voran zu treiben, außerdem ist Zeit für etliche weitere Gespräche! Ein ca. 15-minütiger Impulsvortrag mit Kreativeinlage und ganz viel Mehrwert für euch ist auch wieder eingeplant - falls ihr bei einem zukünftigen Treffen selbst einmal vortragen oder gar ein Treffen moderieren möchtet, meldet euch gern bei uns. Dieses Mal erwartet euch ein interaktiver Vortrag von Johannes Schweig (https://johannesschweig.de/), der euch in aller Kürze näher bringt worum es bei UX Design geht und warum das auch euch - und nicht etwa nur Designer betrifft. Statt grauer Theorie schauen wir uns das praktisch an: In einer kurzen, spielerischen Übung entwickelt ihr in Zweierteams eine einfache Lösung für eine alltägliche Herausforderung, testet sie direkt mit einem Dritten und erlebt, wie schnell Annahmen sichtbar werden. Es geht nicht um schöne Screens, sondern darum, Gedanken greifbar zu machen, Feedback zu bekommen und gemeinsam bessere Entscheidungen zu treffen. Danke, Johannes - Business Netzwerken Berlin freut sich schon sehr auf deinen Kurzvortrag! Die leckeren Getränke, Snacks oder was auch immer euch zum Kauf animiert hat, bezahlt bitte selbst ;)... \-\-\- **(Fast) alle** Gründer\*innen, StartUps, Freiberufler, Unternehmer und Unternehmensvertreter sind willkommen beim Business Netzwerken Meetup. Die Teilnahme ist generell kostenlos und **nicht** an eine Mitgliedschaft gebunden. **Bitte beachten:** Unternehmer mit Multi-Level Marketing-Geschäftsmodellen schließen wir von unseren Veranstaltungen komplett aus, da wir hier die Erfahrung machen mussten, dass es dabei oft nur ums Verkaufen geht, und meistens kein echtes Interesse am Netzwerken und am Gegenüber existiert. **Weiterhin** stehen wir deshalb auch allen Arten des Provisionsgeschäfts (Finanzoptimierer, Immobilienmakler, Versicherungsvertreter, etc.) extrem kritisch gegenüber und gestatten diesen keine Teilnahme an unseren Events. Solltet ihr der Meinung sein, ihr fallt nicht in diese Kategorie, obwohl ihr in einer der genannten Branchen arbeitet, so sprecht uns bitte im Vorfeld an. Wir freuen uns darauf, auch **dich** persönlich kennenzulernen und dir bei der Entwicklung deines Geschäfts weiterzuhelfen!

**🚨🚨🚨 ATTENTION: we moved to luma. please RVSP [HERE](https://luma.com/12min.me_Berlin)🚨🚨🚨** # ​[12min.me](https://12min.me/) START UP is a brand new morning format for bold ideas and fresh perspectives ​Berlin Startup Community, we’re launching something new. Together with betahaus, we’re bringing the [12min.me](http://12min.me/) spirit into the morning. ​[12min.me](http://12min.me/) STARTUP is a three-part breakfast series, embedded in the well-known betabreakfast format. Instead of three speakers in one evening, we do things differently. ​One morning. One speaker. One focused impulse. ​12 minutes. One voice. Zero fluff. ​Join us for the first edition of [12min.me](http://12min.me/) STARTUP, a compact morning session for founders, operators, creatives and everyone building things that matter. ​**✔️ What to expect** * ​One inspiring startup-related talk * ​12 minutes of sharp insight * ​Curated exchange over breakfast * ​The familiar [12min.me](http://12min.me/) energy, just earlier in the day# ​🚀 **The formula stays the same** * ​12 minutes talk * ​12 minutes of Q&A * ​12 minutes of networking ​The familiar [12min.me](http://12min.me/) energy, just earlier in the day ​**🎤 Our speakers** **Speaker 1 @March 5** **[Jonathan Hegel](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-beisiegel) from [FW Systems](https://www.linkedin.com/company/frachtwerk/)** Jonathan is the CEO of FW Systems, a specialized system house for open source solutions and IT services with a fixed-price model. After years in traditional IT, where he regularly had to work night shifts due to emergencies, he decided to do things better—for customers and for IT professionals. Today, he help SMEs transform their IT from a constant work in progress to a reliable infrastructure they can depend on. **Jonathan\`s talk: "How we are completely rethinking system administration as a service for your company"** Companies cannot possibly do everything themselves. So things like accounting, logistics, and IT are outsourced to external service providers. In the IT sector, system houses have been doing very well for themselves in recent decades! Every little thing is charged for, and if there are any errors, the customer is expected to open a ticket. We are rethinking this! We are applying the “as-a-service” concept from Airbnb, Uber, and Everstox to system administration and taking responsibility. Jonathan will show how this works in his talk. ​ **Speaker 2 @March 12** **[Anne Biedermann](https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-biedermann/), independent wealth partner for women** Anne has extensive experience across venture capital, single-family-office & HNWI investing, and early-stage operations. She works with investors who are building, inheriting, or stewarding wealth on how to allocate capital with clarity — particularly where venture capital intersects with long-term wealth strategy. Anne also invests personally, giving her a practitioner’s perspective on capital allocation decisions. **Anna\`s talk: "Not All Capital Is the Same: Decoding Investor Behavior"** Founders often assume all investors evaluate risk, timelines, and returns the same way and that assumption is costly. This session breaks down how funds, family offices, and individual investors actually make decisions, where founder–investor misalignment typically begins, and how founders can better position themselves for the right kind of capital, not just any capital. **Speaker 3 @March 19** **[Immo Ait Stapelfeld](https://www.linkedin.com/in/immoaitstapelfeld/), Co-Founder & CEO at [913.ai](https://913.ai)** **"From Legal Complexity to Practical AI. How We Help Regulated Industries Use AI Without Losing Control"** This presentation tells the story of Immo’s transition from a trained lawyer working in mass proceedings to an entrepreneur building AI products for regulated industries. His legal background, combined with hands-on experience as a founder, shaped a pragmatic view on AI. not as a disruptive replacement, but as a controlled and compliant tool. At[ ](http://913.ai)[913.ai](https://913.ai), this perspective enables conservative organizations such as insurers to enter the AI era in a way that respects regulation, responsibility, and existing teams while still unlocking real efficiency gains. ​📅 **The series at a glance** [12min.me](http://12min.me/) STARTUP consists of three independent sessions. Please follow the luma link for registration: * ​[March 5, 2025](https://luma.com/yo32qaud) * ​[March 12, 2025](https://luma.com/y0wytmck) * ​[March 19, 2025](https://luma.com/cucrx8is) ​Each session has its own Luma page and can be attended individually. ​📍**Event details for the whole series** * ​**Location**: betahaus Kreuzberg, Rudi-Dutschke-Straße 23, 10969 Berlin * ​**Time**: Doors open 9:30, Start 10:00, End 11:00 * ​**Entry**: Free entry including breakfast and drinks * ​**RSVP:** via [Lu.ma](http://lu.ma/) to save your spot as spots are limited ​**Why mornings** Because good ideas don’t only happen after work. We believe in strong insights, respectful use of time and real conversations, even before noon. ​​🎈🎈🎈 Join our WhatsApp group for more details and to engage with the community - [HERE](https://chat.whatsapp.com/FWphInbgYaKJUGv7Uusum9) we go. 🎈🎈🎈 ​We’re looking forward to kicking off this new format with you. Lots of love, Your [12min.me](http://12min.me) Berlin crew [Sandra](http://linkedin.com/in/sandrakarner), Olha, Silvana, Ben \*\*\* **Media rights (picture and video recordings):** Participants agree that photos and video recordings made during the event may be used without any claim to compensation and without any time or space restrictions. The rights to image and video material are transferred to the organiser or the representatives of the press or other parties distributing image and sound material who are present on site, without exception and without any time or place restrictions.

Today we are working at Moxy Ostbahnhof, a beautiful air conditioned location near Ostbahnhof with big desks, booths and available food/drinks. **Cost:** There is no payment required, but it is common courtesy to buy drinks or something from the people providing the space. If you want to chit chat with out coworkers, please check out our Telegram channel: **[https://spam-destroyer.com/check/jelly](https://spam-destroyer.com/check/jelly)** 😴 Tired of working by yourself? 🌡️ Too hot to work at home? 🍫 Do the contents of your fridge, or housework, distract you while working from home? 💻 Come join other freelancers and remote workers for coworking! ☕️ There are no membership requirements, free WiFi, some power sockets, a large desk, some affordable coffee, toasted sandwiches and drinks! ⏰ We'll be there from 11:00, but feel free to stop by any time. The venue is open in the morning too. • DO WE HAVE PERMISSION? • Yes, we have permission to use the hotel as a coworking spot. So long as we are paying customers, they are happy for us to use their location for coworking between the hours of 11:00 to 17:00. They're sometimes (but not always) quite busy and short on tables and chairs outside of those hours. • WHAT TO BRING • Whatever you need to work on your own project / tasks :) • QUESTIONS? • Join our Telegram chat group to ask any questions: [https://spam-destroyer.com/check/jelly](https://spam-destroyer.com/check/jelly) • MORE EVENTS? • To have more events, we need more organisers. If you would like to help out, please get in touch [😀](https://emojipedia.org/grinning-face/)

Calling all founders, CEOs, lawyers, doctors, and entrepreneurs to join our special *Founder Edition* of Sip & Read meetup event. Let's sip on fine wine and discuss our first book **The 5AM Club- Own Your Morning Elevate Your Life, by Robin Sharma**. We will pair this book with our favorite wine at **Wine on High** and engage in thought-provoking discussions on startup businesses and entrepreneurship, and network with like-minded individuals in a cozy book club setting. Come prepared to discuss this month's book. At the end of each book club meeting, we will take next book and venue suggestions from the participants for the next meeting. Whether you are a book lover, women entrepreneur, or a content creator, this event is perfect for sharing ideas and insights with other funders and founders in the entrepreneurial world. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to connect, learn, and grow together. Sign up now to reserve your spot! *Fun fact! This meetup was established in 2015 and had over 1,000 members. I had to shut down operations while attending law school, but we're back!!*

**Confidence in Bloom: How Creativity Builds Confidence** What happens when creativity becomes an intentional practice? In this month’s Confidence Lab, we’ll gather at **Petals That Inspire: The Flourish Studio** for an evening exploring the connection between creativity and confidence. How making with our hands, engaging our senses, and allowing space for expression can shift how we see ourselves and what we believe is possible. Our featured speaker, **Amanda Lorenzetti**, owner of Petals That Inspire, will share how creativity has shaped her own confidence journey and why creative environments play such a powerful role in well-being, resilience, and personal growth. Drawing from her work leading an experience-driven floral studio and a community-centered workforce development program, Amanda will reflect on creativity as both a personal and collective catalyst. Amanda will also guide us through a **hands-on floral design experience**, creating a fresh arrangement in a wide mouth mason jar. No prior floral experience is needed, just curiosity and a willingness to engage the process. This evening is an invitation to slow down, create, and reconnect with the part of yourself that grows through care, attention, and imagination. You’ll leave with a floral arrangement to take home, and a deeper understanding of how confidence can be cultivated through creative practices. **Featured Speaker: Amanda Lorenzetti** Amanda Lorenzetti is the owner and founder of [Petals That Inspire](https://www.petalsthatinspire.com/) and The Flourish Studio, a social enterprise florist based in Columbus, Ohio. She brings more than a decade of experience in wedding and event sales, paired with hands-on expertise in floral and event design. Amanda’s connection to the floral industry began early, spending time alongside her godmother, a professional florist on the East Coast. After earning her business degree, she returned to her hometown in Connecticut to work as a floral and event designer, blending creative artistry with strong operational and client-focused skills. In 2020, Amanda returned to the floral industry with a renewed purpose, driven by a desire to build a business rooted in creativity, community impact, and sustainability. During this pivotal time, she founded Petals That Inspire—an innovative floral concept that reimagines the traditional florist model by combining event florals, workshops, and experiential offerings with a mission-centered approach to workforce development. Today, Petals That Inspire is a thriving social enterprise known for its thoughtful design, educational experiences, and commitment to empowering young adults facing barriers to entry in the workforce. Amanda is deeply passionate about building businesses that are both profitable and purpose-driven, and she leverages her strong business acumen to create a scalable & sustainable model that inspires creativity while giving back to the community. **What is Confidence Lab?** Confidence Lab is a monthly community experience for bold, thoughtful leaders building confidence from the inside out. Whether you’re launching a business, leading a team, navigating change, or simply striving to show up more fully—you belong here. Our work demands clarity, courage, and conviction—but the pace of daily life can erode our sense of self. Confidence Lab creates space to reflect, reconnect, and grow with others doing purpose-driven work. It’s designed for entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, creatives, corporate professionals, activists, and anyone ready to lead with authenticity and impact. ***Please note:*** *All are welcome! If cost is a concern, please use promo code PUBLIC to access a free ticket—we want you to join us.*

This month, we are in-person at GameArena!!! We will also be joined by students and their games from [Shawnee State](https://www.shawnee.edu/game-design-programs)! \-\-\- Join us for our our monthly COGG Prototype and Play event @GameArena! Come to play and showcase your games. We're back in the upper levels of the catwalk mezzanine area. It'll be packed with lots of camaraderie playing your game(s) and other's games on the 2nd floor as well as the 1st floor in the gaming room below the mezzanine. Light snacks and water provided but you can buy food and drinks at the bar (alcoholic drink ID required). [https://www.game-arena.co/menu](https://www.game-arena.co/menu) **Attendees:** Don't have a game to show? Not a problem! All are welcomed and invited from all ages and backgrounds. The more we can have to play test our games the better! **Developers:** Do you have a game that you would like to get critical feedback on? Would you like an excuse to work on a game with other talented artists, programmers, musicians, designers, and writers? Digital, table-top, non-experienced developers, and the like are welcomed! We'll provide signage for your game to help others learn more about your work. Wifi, outlets, tables, and seats (though standing tables also) are available. Come to the Prototype and Play workshop to collaborate and meet local game developers for an evening of epic and raw game play fun! Play works-in-progress, show off your own game, work with others to add polish to a game, or even lend your talents to other fellow developers. Can use South Garage at the Gateway with a $5 voucher on your way out. 75 E 11th Ave, Columbus, OH 43201 [https://maps.app.goo.gl/UwgveUYG37Jy7RtS9](https://maps.app.goo.gl/UwgveUYG37Jy7RtS9) If you have any questions or comments, as always, feel free to reach out to us at [info@thecogg.com!](http://info@thecogg.com!/)

Is your business taking more of your time than you would like? [Rob Young](https://www.linkedin.com/in/cinci-robyoung/) principal at [Stage 3 Group](https://www.linkedin.com/company/stage-3-group/), hosts this workshop series and is the author of Stage 3 Success. * Provides a framework and a playbook for leaders of emerging businesses * Reviews business management tools and techniques for scaling and maturing a business * How to recognize and leverage stories hidden in financial statements * How to implement financial and operational controls and use leading indicators to spot trouble before it occurs * How to manage your time for maximum effect * How to deal with nonperforming employees * How to create standard operating procedures throughout your organization Four sessions will include two hours of content and an optional 90-minute hands-on lab. Reserve your spot via this link: https://clintonvilleba.com/calendar/#!event/2026/3/20/chaos-to-clarity-to-control ($200 for non-CABA members.)

At Evolve Synergy Sessions, you'll be part of a supportive mastermind where we share challenges, brainstorm solutions, and inspire one another to take bold steps in our businesses. Grow your network, gain fresh perspectives, and build meaningful relationships with like-minded women who are committed to success. Whether you’re looking to move the needle in your business or simply need a space to connect and recharge, this is the perfect place to fuel your entrepreneurial journey. [Add Event to Calendar](https://evolvecolumbus.eventcalendarapp.com/) \*\* Please note, we will be arriving around 8:15a for open networking! Get there early and get connected! Contact Alexis Morley at [alexis.morley@edwardjones.com](mailto:alexis.morley@edwardjones.com) or Terri Lawson at [terri.lawson@e-merge.com](mailto:terri.lawson@e-merge.com) for more information.

NFT's are here to stay folks! This is a group for like minded people interested in understanding, leveraging, using, creating for, profiting from, trading too i suppose, NFT's.. everything around them, complexity, fear and exploits, best practices and more. **PLUS** This group will talk AI ART tools, techniques, artists, video, audio, prototypes and more in the AI assisted production space- ART specifically, but we can get into any aspect of some of the cooler things happening in AI in general.

Bring your business cards and network in person with other business professionals! Gold Star Referral Clubs is one of the most established professional networking organizations in the country, with multiple groups in central Ohio. Join us!