10 Things We Love About The Playhouse

1. It makes solopreneurship feel less solo

• “I was trying to find a place that was chill, where I could just be like, 'Hey, I have coworkers,' so that I don't feel alone.”
• “It's like having work friends, or a chosen work family.”
• “It makes me feel less alone... I'm part of a community who are all doing the same sorts of things.”

2. You can show up as yourself

• “Here people come as they are and don't take themselves too seriously. But that doesn't mean they don't have serious businesses.”
• “At the last networking event I attended I felt like I had a fake smile on my face for an hour, whereas here my smile is real.”
• "I don't feel the pressure to demonstrate that I'm a 'leader' or a 'visionary' or 'bringing 110%' or whatever every damn day.”
• “This group doesn't feel like a performance! Or like I have to mask super hard.”
• “You don't need a made-up, important-sounding title; you don't have to try to prove your worth.”

3. Feeling legit as a solo business owner

• “Feeling like my business is seen as less important or legit has left a bad taste in my mouth... There's none of that in The Playhouse!”
• “I'm really trying to stay as small as I sustainably can.”
• “I'm not trying to grow or scale. I'm just trying to maintain my lifestyle through a business I enjoy.”

4. Real people, real friendship

• “I feel like you can make real friends here.”
• “The Playhouse is the closest vibe to an in-person experience. It doesn't feel too overwhelming or crowded or impersonal as many online groups do.”
• “A trusted resource full of real, delightful people.”
• “Everybody here that I've met has been cool.”

5. Connection without the pitch

• “People actually want to connect, which is really nice."
• “I need to build a deeper connection to somebody before I'm gonna start recommending them, because that's my reputation, too.”
• “Knowing someone means that you see them as a person, not just as a tool or a sales opportunity."

6. Safe to be vulnerable and ask for help

• “No one expects anyone else to be crushing it all of the time.”
• “This is a space where if I indicate I'm lost on something, I won’t be thought less of.”
• “Real vulnerability and curiosity are so much easier in a group like this.”

7. Collaboration over competition

• “Members understand there is enough work for everyone, and everyone is unique enough that we can truly support one another.”
• “I really love knowing the regulars, what they excel at, who I can connect them with if I hear a need.”
• “The old 'a rising boat raises all ships' saying really applies here.”

8. Fun, variety, and flexibility

• “Creative entrepreneurs who connect and get shit done while still having FUN.”
• “Such a rich mix of event options.”
• “You can join in the conversations, attend an event, cowork, . . . so many ways to feel like you belong.”

9. Feels different from ROI-driven communities, but still delivers

• “I've had three Playhouse members as guests on my podcast, and guested on a few of theirs.”
• “The Playhouse has directly brought me at least 3, maybe as many as 10 new members.”
• “I regularly refer people I've met inside.”

10. Deanna gives a sh*t about everyone inside, and you won’t be lost in the crowd

• "What made me finally join the Playhouse was you actually reached out to me."
• "You showed me that I’m not just gonna be another face in a group."
• “You can tell Deanna genuinely cares about her people.”

I honestly give so much of a sh*t that I suck at talking about "outcomes" not features because I'm always worried it might not be true for someone and they'll think I duped them.

So my brain just thinks in terms of "these are the tangible things you get that are in my control." And it's hard for me to see past that.

So I talked with the humans inside The Playhouse and used that transcript, words from emails, feedback forms, DMs, and coworking conversations to come up with this list.

Compiling it made my heart so happy and I do think it's all true.

This space is different. It feels different from the other spaces I've been in and I love hanging out in here.

It's my favorite place to be on the internet. 🏠💖