Finding My Tribe
How community sparks creativity and collaboration in Jacksonville's tech scene
When I moved from New York to Jacksonville in 2021, I was deep in the trenches of raising funds and launching my first startup, HeyLayer—a digital art marketplace built on blockchain.
I've always loved working with creatives, but what excites me just as much is the business side. I'm wired half analytical, half creative.
In those early years, I was constantly on planes to New York, Miami, and other big cities, chasing business opportunities and attending networking events. That gave me access to strategic conversations, but something was missing. What I really wanted was my own tribe here at home.
Building Connections, One Event at a Time
I started attending local events like Women in Tech, entrepreneurship meetups, and Jax Tech community gatherings. Slowly, I began to see the shape of something I'd been looking for all along: a community where curiosity, creativity, and innovation could actually meet.
This summer, I decided to take the next step and launch The Digital Edge Collective—a community for innovators, entrepreneurs, and curious minds exploring AI, Web3, and other emerging technologies.
On Friday, we hosted our latest Summer Social in partnership with Jacksonville's largest tech community. Here's what I realized:
Community isn't just nice to have. It's fuel for the creative spark.
When you bring people together across disciplines (artists, technologists, and business leaders), something shifts. Ideas that felt like sparks suddenly feel like fire. Conversations don't just stay theoretical; they start moving toward what's possible.
At Friday's event, I watched a local artist and a software developer discover they were both fascinated by AI-generated music. By the end of the night, they were sketching out plans for a collaborative project. That's the magic I'm talking about.
The Art of Intentional Networking
Here's the part most people overlook: networking isn't just about showing up, collecting business cards, and waiting for luck to strike. If you want to create sparks and eventually find the right collaborators for your business, you need to be intentional.
Through this journey, I've learned that building meaningful professional relationships requires more than just showing up. Here are the strategies that have worked for me:
1. Lead with curiosity, not your pitch.
Ask questions that go deeper than "What do you do?" Try "What are you excited about building right now?" or "What problem are you obsessed with solving?" Curiosity builds authentic connections.
2. Look for energy, not titles.
The most fruitful partnerships often come from people who light up when they talk about their work, not just those with the biggest resumes. Pay attention to where energy flows in the conversation.
3. Share openly, even if it feels unfinished.
Your half-formed idea might be the missing puzzle piece for someone else. Don't wait until everything is perfect. Collaboration starts in the messy middle.
4. Follow up quickly, while the spark is fresh.
Send a quick message the next day, referencing what you talked about, to keep the energy alive. This is where sparks start to turn into actual partnerships.
5. Create the spaces you wish existed.
If you don't find the right kind of community, build one. That's what inspired me to launch The Digital Edge Collective. Sometimes the thing you're searching for is waiting for you to create it.
Art Meets Tech
Friday's event reminded me that art and tech aren't separate worlds—they're mirrors.
Art reflects our human stories.
Tech reflects our tools of creation.
Together, they shape the culture we're building.
Jacksonville is ready for this conversation. Our city has all the ingredients: creative talent, growing tech expertise, and entrepreneurs hungry to build something meaningful. (Plus, we have way better parking than Miami.)
The Digital Edge Collective is just getting started, and I'm excited to see what we'll create together. I'm especially passionate about supporting women founders, builders, and creators who are shaping the future of technology while juggling everything else life throws at us.
If you're in Jacksonville and this resonates with you, I'd love to connect. Whether you're sketching your next big idea on napkins or building the next breakthrough in your garage (or kitchen table), there's a place for you here.
If you're local to the Jax area, join us for our next event: Join Digital Edge Community
What communities have sparked your best collaborations? I'd love to hear your stories.