A little love letter to my network
- sweethomephotoroc
- Jun 16
- 3 min read
Throughout my career, I've worked in many different settings. While I have enjoyed aspects of each, I never quite felt like I fully "fit." Even surrounded by people doing the exact same job, I still felt that I was operating on a slightly different frequency. Like I cared too much about the "wrong" things, asked too many questions that didn't fit the script, or just couldn't quite make myself at home in spaces that everyone else seemed to inhabit comfortably. I could find belonging in pockets, but never quite felt like a true part of a larger whole.
For a long time, I worried that this said more about me as a person than it did about the environments I was in. Maybe I just wasn't a "team" person, or maybe I was too particular, or stubborn, or something.
Going into business on my own answered some of those questions--I can fit a mold just fine, as long as I make it myself 😜 But the underlying fear still hung around, asking, "what if working alone means that I'll always BE alone?"
Enter GRAPE--Greater Rochester Area Partnership for the Elderly, a professional networking organization for people supporting older adults in Rochester and surrounding areas.
Once I got over the initial fear of introducing myself to a whole bunch of strangers (did I walk into my first event and walk right back out without talking to anyone? maaaaybe), I quickly realized that this group was a place I could settle. Our 300+ members come from all over the area, work in all different settings, and bring all sorts of different knowledge to the table. But, despite this, we all show up with the same why: to serve older adults as part of a larger community.
The referrals I get through GRAPE are more than just business--they're connections based on trust. When a colleague in this network passes along a client's name, it's because they believe in what I do. And when someone in my life has a question about senior living options, home care, downsizing, or insurance, I can share a name with full confidence that they will get the support they need, because I've watched how they talk about their work and know their values. That's not something you can get from a Google search or a LinkedIn connection.
When I joined GRAPE four years ago, I thought it might help my business. I didn't expect to find people I genuinely look forward to seeing. People who ask how things are going and actually want to know. People who will celebrate a win with you, think through a hard situation alongside you, or just make you laugh at a gala on a Wednesday night.
A million years into my professional life, and I can finally say with confidence that I am part of something. Even when I work alone, I am not alone. There is a community of people here in Rochester who care about the same things I care about, who are doing this work with integrity and heart, and who have made space for me among them. I'm grateful 💜
If you're in the Rochester area and work with older adults in any way, I (obviously) highly recommend connecting with GRAPE! I'm happy to answer any questions at any time.
And if you're in business on your own, here is a reminder that you're not alone. If I can help you find your people, I'm here.
🌴 📸 To see the rest of the festivity from last week's GRAPE Escape Gala, visit the album here: