Beyond Social Media: Building Real-World Connection

If you’ve ever felt like social media is a hamster wheel you can’t escape, this conversation will be a breath of fresh air.

In this episode of As Good As You Are, I sat down with Monica Monfre Scantlebury—educator, coach, and community-builder—to talk about growing your business offline.

Monica is the founder of the Leverage Community Academy, a program that helps entrepreneurs and educators use tools like Eventbrite and Meetup to create community, grow their audiences, and make sales—without relying on algorithms.

What started as a way to make friends in Washington D.C. turned into a business model that’s helping hundreds of women connect, collaborate, and convert through in-person experiences.

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From Classroom to Community-Builder

Before she was a business coach, Monica spent 15 years teaching high-school literature and dance in D.C. and New York.

When she moved to Harlem, she wanted to meet people—but she was tired of waiting for downtown friends to “make the trip uptown.” So she started her own Meetup group, Chic & Savvy Uptown Ladies, and watched it grow to 800 members.

That’s when she realized she’d stumbled onto something powerful: community as a marketing strategy.

When the pandemic hit, Monica leaned on those same platforms—Meetup and Eventbrite—to host virtual events, teach yoga, and later sell her online trainings. Within 48 hours of launching her first Eventbrite class, she made $1,000.

No ads. No fancy funnels. Just connection.

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The Most Overlooked Tools in Business: Meetup and Eventbrite

While most entrepreneurs think of Meetup as a hobby platform and Eventbrite as a ticketing tool, Monica uses both as lead-generation engines.

“People are literally searching for connection,” she explained. “Meetup and Eventbrite are SEO-driven platforms. That means your event gets found by people who are already looking for what you offer.”

Here’s how she uses them:

• Meetup for local, recurring events that build community.
• Eventbrite for free or paid virtual events that grow her email list.

And because every registration comes with an email address, those contacts can turn into future clients.

Even better? Eventbrite’s algorithm starts promoting your event once it gains traction—putting your name in front of completely new audiences.

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The Power of Free Events

Monica’s advice for getting started: lead with value.

“You can’t just do it once,” she said. “Commit to three months of consistent events.”

Start with free virtual networking sessions or low-cost in-person gatherings. Each one builds momentum. She’s helped clients grow from 14 registrations to 50 per event—and even watched one client make $15,000 in a single month using Eventbrite.

Her formula:

• Keep the event short (60–90 minutes).
• Add ten strong keywords in your event tags.
• Include a clear, human title (think Coffee & Connections or How to Grow Your Instagram Without Burnout).

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Creative Event Ideas That Work

Monica’s events blend business and fun. Some of her favorites:

• Coffee + Human Design: Guests learned their chart over lattes.
• Vision Board Nights: A $10 entry fee, 20 frames from Amazon, and 22 attendees.
• Yoga in a Boutique: Free yoga hosted inside a local store—everyone wins.
• Dessert Tours and Book Crawls: Creative community experiences that build buzz.
• Co-working and Wine Tastings: Simple ways to meet new people without heavy planning.

“These don’t have to be huge,” she said. “Start with four to six people. The goal is connection, not perfection.”

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Turning Local Events into Leads

For business owners wondering whether these strategies work for B2B—the answer is yes.

Local events create face-to-face touchpoints that digital marketing can’t replicate.

“You could host a workshop on social media trends for local business owners, and have a real-estate agent or another sponsor cover your costs,” she shared. “They get visibility, you get exposure, and everyone leaves connected.”

Whether you charge a small entry fee or land sponsors, the goal is the same: gather people who need what you do—and let relationships do the selling.

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Leading with Human Design

Monica, a Projector in Human Design, uses her own blueprint to host events that align with her energy.

“I like the invitation,” she said. “As a Projector, I focus on creating spaces where people feel welcomed and seen.”

Her advice? Choose event styles that fit your natural energy. Generators might thrive running a series of pop-ups. Reflectors might prefer smaller, slower gatherings. Projectors should focus on curating intimate, invitation-based events.

When you build connection in a way that feels authentic, your energy sells for you.

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The New Era of Connection

After two years in Minneapolis, Monica has grown her Well Connected Women Meetup group to nearly 400 members—and she’s just getting started.

Her secret? Consistency, curiosity, and community over competition.

“People are craving real connection,” she said. “We’re tired of algorithms. We want to be seen.”

For anyone feeling burnt out on social media, her message is clear:
Stop waiting for the algorithm to show you off. Show up where people already are.