Fundraising Events

Most product thinking assumes you’re building a product. In a startup, you’re not—you’re building a business. In the early days of a startup, there is no product team. The founder is the product team—while also juggling sales, hiring, fundraising, support, and everything in between. Product decisions don’t happen in isolation; they’re shaped by survival, speed, and the need to get something working in the real world. In this talk, Kim Thibault shares her experience from BoardPro, reflecting on the transition from founder-led product to hiring the first product people. She’ll unpack what triggered that shift, what worked (and what didn’t), and the tension that comes with sharing product ownership between a founder and a product team. Along the way, she’ll challenge a common assumption: in a startup, success doesn’t come from the product alone—it comes from how the whole business works around it. This session will explore: * What it really means to be a founder driving product * Why great products don’t matter without a working go-to-market motion * How product thinking changes across startup stages (-1→0, 0→1, 1+) * The realities of hiring and working with your first product people * The mindsets product managers need if they want to become founders—or work effectively with oneIf you’ve ever worked in (or are curious about) a founder-led environment, this will give you a clearer view of the trade-offs, tensions, and decisions behind the scenes. **About our speaker** [Kim Thibault](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimthibault/) is a co-founder of BoardPro, a governance software platform used by boards and leadership teams across New Zealand, Australia, and beyond. She spent nearly a decade leading product as the company scaled, navigating the transition from founder-led product to building a product team. Kim now works as a startup coach and startup director, supporting early-stage founders—particularly in B2B SaaS and product-led growth companies—to build effective products and businesses. She brings a practical, experience-driven perspective shaped by the realities of building and scaling a startup. Huge thanks to Auror for hosting and sponsoring this event! You can join the livestream here: [https://meet.google.com/pmi-iynm-ome](https://meet.google.com/pmi-iynm-ome). As always the livestream will kick off from just before 6pm. Note that the rules of our host venue means that we will send the exact location of the event to attendees on the day of the event - the venue is in the Britomart area. Those of you who have attended events at Auror before will know where it is!

Most product thinking assumes you’re building a product. In a startup, you’re not—you’re building a business. In the early days of a startup, there is no product team. The founder is the product team—while also juggling sales, hiring, fundraising, support, and everything in between. Product decisions don’t happen in isolation; they’re shaped by survival, speed, and the need to get something working in the real world. In this talk, Kim Thibault shares her experience from BoardPro, reflecting on the transition from founder-led product to hiring the first product people. She’ll unpack what triggered that shift, what worked (and what didn’t), and the tension that comes with sharing product ownership between a founder and a product team. Along the way, she’ll challenge a common assumption: in a startup, success doesn’t come from the product alone—it comes from how the whole business works around it. This session will explore: * What it really means to be a founder driving product * Why great products don’t matter without a working go-to-market motion * How product thinking changes across startup stages (-1→0, 0→1, 1+) * The realities of hiring and working with your first product people * The mindsets product managers need if they want to become founders—or work effectively with oneIf you’ve ever worked in (or are curious about) a founder-led environment, this will give you a clearer view of the trade-offs, tensions, and decisions behind the scenes. **About our speaker** [Kim Thibault](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimthibault/) is a co-founder of BoardPro, a governance software platform used by boards and leadership teams across New Zealand, Australia, and beyond. She spent nearly a decade leading product as the company scaled, navigating the transition from founder-led product to building a product team. Kim now works as a startup coach and startup director, supporting early-stage founders—particularly in B2B SaaS and product-led growth companies—to build effective products and businesses. She brings a practical, experience-driven perspective shaped by the realities of building and scaling a startup. Huge thanks to Auror for hosting and sponsoring this event! You can join the livestream here: [https://meet.google.com/pmi-iynm-ome](https://meet.google.com/pmi-iynm-ome). As always the livestream will kick off from just before 6pm. Note that the rules of our host venue means that we will send the exact location of the event to attendees on the day of the event - the venue is in the Britomart area. Those of you who have attended events at Auror before will know where it is!

Open to public: Friday, 5/15/26: 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Saturday 5/16/26: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Hosted by OSU The 2026 Chadwick Arboretum Spring Plant Sale and Auction Fundraiser Location: Lawn area south of the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center 2201 Fred Taylor Dr, Columbus, OH 43210 Spring Plant Sale Spring into greenery at Chadwick Arboretum & Learning Gardens! Join us for our annual Spring Plant Sale Fundraiser and dive into a lush world of botanical delights. With over 16,000 fresh, exotic, and time-tested edible and ornamental plants, there's something for every green thumb! Experience the thrill of our tree and shrub auctions, where you can bid on unique specimens to enhance your garden sanctuary. Step into our Learning Lab, where engaging educational demonstrations on various garden topics will unfold throughout the three-day sale, enriching your knowledge and inspiring your green endeavors. Take part in an exciting, live auction offered each day, as well as a silent auction on Thursday and Friday. Explore vendor booths brimming with gardening essentials and delightful treasures. And while you shop 'til you drop, indulge in delectable treats from a delicious, local food truck. Proceeds from this event go directly to The Ohio State Chadwick Arboretum, student organizations, and local businesses alike. Come one, come all! Let's cultivate a brighter, greener future together. Credit/debit cards only.

Join us as we get together to get together to help those in need at this CMG Gives Back event! We have a great little community of Movie Group friends so rather than see a movie this time, we’ll help “create a better world” by helping serve those in need. Here are complete details and our plan for this event: FAITH MISSION – GRANT KITCHEN: The Faith Mission kitchen and dining room serves residents 3 meals a day, every day of the year. For this event, our group will help prepare food, serve meals, assist residents in the dining room, wash dishes, and clean surfaces. PLAN: We will be preparing / serving / cleaning for BRUNCH from 10:30am to 12:30pm and have space for a total of 7 volunteers. Please arrive at 10:20am and wear closed-toe shoes and long pants. LOCATION: Faith Mission – Grant Kitchen is located at 245 N. Grant Ave. Enter the kitchen at Dock 1 (in the back of the building), indicated in the attached map. On-site parking in the adjacent lot and street parking is available in the surrounding area. Below are some links / attachments with additional info/details: IMPORTANT REMINDER: Our group will be providing all of the volunteers on this day so a firm RSVP count is essential. Please only sign up if you are certain you’ll be able to attend. If something unavoidable comes up, please try to update your RSVP no later than one week prior to the event. With few exceptions, no shows or cancelations within 1 week of the event will not be eligible for future CMG Gives Back events. I appreciate your understanding as we try to ensure the agencies have the volunteers needed to provide the essential services they provide to the vulnerable population they serve. Our Partner Agency for this event is Lutheran Social Services! A huge THANK YOU to all of YOU for volunteering at this (and any of our previous) CMG Gives Back events! Should be another good/fun/meaningful time together, Dan

Coffee and conversation at [The Roosevelt Coffeehouse](https://www.olentangybrew.com/roosevelt-coffee), located at Olentangy River Brewing. They will also have a Venezuelan [food truck](https://www.olentangybrew.com/eventsandfood) that always gets good reviews.

## Candle Making Night at The Arcane Foundry \| Design Your Own Custom Candle **SPECIAL PROMOTION**: Buy 3 and get 1 Free! Step into The Arcane Foundry and create your own custom candle from start to finish. This is a laid back, hands-on experience where **you’ll blend fragrances, choose your vessel, and pour your own candle using 100% soy wax**. Whether you’re coming solo or with friends, it’s designed to be simple, creative, and a good time. We’ll walk you through the entire process, from picking your scents to choosing between a traditional cotton wick or a crackling wood wick. You can go with one fragrance or mix your own blend to create something completely unique**. No experience needed**, just show up and we’ll handle the rest. While your candle sets, feel free to hang out, play a game, explore the shop, or just relax and talk. Drinks and snacks are available, and the atmosphere leans into the **fantasy**, **dark academia**, and **gothic horror** vibe The Arcane Foundry is known for. Learn More: [Candle Making in Columbus, Ohio at The Arcane Foundry](https://thearcanefoundry.com/candle-making/) *** ### What to Expect: * Guided candle making experience * Choose your own vessel, wax, wick, and fragrance * 100% soy wax candles * Optional drinks and snacks * Time to relax while your candle cools *** ### Important Notes: * Please arrive on time so we can start together * Candles will need time to set before taking home * This is a beginner-friendly event *** ### RSVP Required Reserve your spot on Meetup to lock in your seat. **Candle Making** (includes vessel, your choice of wick, wax, scented oil, labels and lids) 5oz Glass Jars $15 8oz Candle Tins $25 12oz Glass Candles $35 12oz Amber Jars $40 16 oz Skull or Jack o Lantern Candle Mugs $65 (Limited Edition!) **All materials included. You just bring yourself (and your drink of choice).** **Payments accepted:** * Credit Card * Venmo: @Daclaud-Lee * Cashapp: $DaclaudL

Details Let's join together for a fiesta! (Invite friends - we have lots of room!) Taco Bar Margarita and Beer tasting Complementary chips and salsa Margs/cocktails at the bar for purchase Freshly prepared snacks in the deli for purchase Festive Band/Music Margaritas/Mexican Beer Tasting + Taco Bar: $15.00 per person (covers 4 Margarita or beer samples and one pass thru the Taco Bar) Where: #MarketDistrict (Grandview Yard) location. The party room (our private space) will be decorated with both patios open! Adjoining upstairs area also open for over flow and mingling. After Party: Sometimes, we head to a venue to hear live music afterwards. LDNL is at Black Swan in Hilliard tonight! Wear your bright colors and cheerful !Salud!