Finding My Place at Strengthen The Strong: A Poetic Reporter’s First Dive into MSP Networking

I’m Dan Pelé, your news poet, and I just had an incredible experience at the Strengthen The Strong event! 🎉 Coordinated by the amazing Anissa Ligtner and Kelsey Joson, this gathering took place at the Osborn 370 building, creating a melting pot of corporate professionals, creatives, and entrepreneurs.

Walking in, I was immediately hit with a mix of excitement and self-consciousness—I had arrived in my trusty hoodie and wall-climbing shoes, surrounded by a sea of sharply dressed professionals. But before I could get too caught up in my own head, a real estate pro named Gina offered me the perfect introduction:

"Oh, you’re a poetic reporter."

That was it! A title that felt just right, and the one I’d carry forward in future interactions.

As more attendees poured in, the space buzzed with lively conversation—an electric blend of laughter, business insights, and genuine connection. The event’s featured founder, Marcus Carpenter of Route 1, summed it up perfectly:

"This is one of the most authentic, transparent energy-building spaces to be a part of."

And he was right. Unlike the usual stiff networking environments, this one felt different. Conversations flowed easily, like a pot of soup bubbling into the perfect blend. Professionals from all walks of life came together—not to step on each other to reach the top, but to pull each other up.

Anissa, one of the event’s coordinators, emphasized this unique approach: Strengthen The Strong is about collaboration over competition—a space where everyone, no matter their comfort level, can find their place and build meaningful relationships.

I highly recommend attending one of their monthly gatherings if you’re looking for an inspiring and authentic networking experience.

Here are just a few professionals I had the pleasure of meeting:

• Chef Cherokee Christopher | Hands From Heaven Culinary Services

• Youth Lens 360

• Aezha Phillips | Zion Sol Haus Catering Services

• Jonathan Fure | Capitol River Council, District 17

A huge thank you to our MSP Excite community partners like BlueCat Motors, Urban Wok, DGPilot, and more for supporting spaces like these!

If you’re a local business looking to connect with MSP Excite, register today at mspexcite.com/partner.

📢 #MPSExcite #StrengthenTheStrong #Networking #Community #StPaulEvents #ProfessionalGrowth