One Year of Coastal Connect

One year ago, Coastal Connect was created because it felt like there was a sense of community missing. The goal was simple, create a space where women on the Monterey Peninsula could meet, connect, support each other, collaborate, and feel inspired. Looking back on this first year honestly brings me so much joy. What started as a simple idea has grown into something far more alive, supportive, and impactful than I ever imagined.

In our first year, Coastal Connect has:

• Highlighted 21 incredible and inspiring women

• Supported 16 local businesses

• Hosted 7 collaborative community events

• Organized 2 fundraising events

  
  

From the beginning, Coastal Connect was never meant to just be another social group. It was created to be a platform and place where women, creatives, entrepreneurs, moms, and community members could share what they are working on, meet new people, and build meaningful connections.

At first, our mini groups were separated by interests — coffee lovers, book lovers, moms, hiking groups, workout crews, and more. But over the past year, I realized something important: people are not just one thing. The best moments happened when different groups blended together and new friendships formed naturally.

So this next chapter of Coastal Connect is all about bringing people together even more through our newly combined mini groups:

• Hike Club + Workout Crew → Girls in Motion

• Book Club + Reality TV Club → Drama & Drafts

• Coffee Club + Happy Hour Club → Coffee & Cocktails

  
  

Our Mini Mom Group will still remain its own space, while also collaborating with other mom groups across the Peninsula to create even more opportunities for connection and support.

The biggest takeaway from this past year is that Coastal Connect is truly a community space. We want to celebrate you, support you, and help share what you are building.

If you want to be highlighted — reach out. If you want to collaborate on an event — let’s connect. If you want us to repost something you’re working on — tag us.

The whole purpose of Coastal Connect is to bring people together and create a supportive community where everyone feels welcome.

We have so many fun events and collaborations planned for the year ahead, and I genuinely cannot wait to continue growing this community together.

Thank you to everyone who has shown up, supported, collaborated, attended events, shared posts, and believed in this vision over the last year. Coastal Connect would not exist without all of you.