Does anyone else start books and never finish them? Surely, I’m not the only guilty party.
In December 2016, I read half of Sheryl O’Loughlin’s Killing It! An Entreprenuer’s Guide to Keeping Your Head Without Losing Your Heart. The unfinished pages sat on my bookshelf until COVID-19 abruptly interrupted life. Worked halted, confinement began, and I dusted off unread novels. I completed the book 3.5 years later in April 2020 when life was anything but normal. In the midst of uncertainty, these words from the final chapter entitled The Graceful Goodbye – The Entrepreneur and Letting Go rang true – “Every entrepreneurial venture has an exit door. You may never want or need to use it, but you should know where it is and what it looks like.”
In that moment, I knew our almost 4.5 year journey was coming to a close.
From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU to each person who attended an event, every business that partnered with the Tribe, and every single person who believed in this diverse and inclusive community.
Here’s what we accomplished in 4 years:
- Hosted over 125 events
- 2,220+ people walked through our doors
- Our Tribe was a true representation of Nashville
- November 11, 2018 was our first day-long conference. I think I’m still exhausted from that undertaking
- CST expanded into Philly in 2018
- Partnered with The Nashville Guide for five #Nashgiving events impacting our community
- We created a program called Becoming Her and took it in 4 universities – MTSU, Belmont, Lipscomb, and UTM as well as Sarah Cannon.
- Over 180 blogs were written by our community
But most importantly — friendships were made, businesses launched, ideas turned into action, tears were shed, laughs were had, and our community flourished. There’s no way to fully document the impact made, but here’s one thing I know — we accomplished a heck of a lot.
Women of all ages, races, sizes, educational backgrounds, and political parties came together in unity for fitness, inspirational, hustle hours, and giveback events. Women that would have potentially never crossed paths, engaged with one another. There is power in diversity, and The Tribe brought people together in Nashville and Philadelphia.
We aren’t closing the doors, but passing the torch individually to each of you. You have been equipped and empowered, and you were made for this. Stand up for justice, speak out against inequality, and love on the people around you.
None of this would have been possible without Alexis Teichmiller Huels who co-founded this community over coffee at Green Hills Starbucks. 13 committee members — Kirbee Miller, CaNesha Gordon, Dee Matherly, Sheena Steward, Daisy Alexandria, KaTerri Kelly, Christy Dux, Summer Pittmann, Adrienne Graves, Capucine Monk, Cortney Edmondson, Tania Guldi, and Allison Avalon — selflessly gave of their time and talents to brainstorm events, help set up and tear down, and constantly pushed me to become a better leader and see things from different perspectives. For two years, Lindsay Gallagher took the reins in Philly and faithfully championed a group of women. Each of you holds a special place in my heart, and I am forever grateful for you linking arms with me to bring this vision to life.
This list could go on and on, but here’s one thing I know. The Tribe isn’t done. As the chapter closes on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, I am forever grateful for the memories made, challenges overcome, and friendships cultivated. Closed doors are simply redirection, and if 2020 has taught us anything – we must always be prepared to pivot. You will forever be apart of my Tribe.
The best is yet to come!
Sarah Patton
**photos by Christy Dux Portraits
