Why I Built Fanbase Collective
I Am Your Neighbor: A Story About Home, Community, and Building Fanbase Collective
---
“Hi, neighbor.”
It’s a simple greeting, but it means so much. Being a good neighbor doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s as easy as waving at the cars passing by your yard, stopping for a quick chat at the mailbox, or trading freshly grown vegetables for freshly laid brown eggs after Sunday service, right outside Woodbury. It’s about knowing the people around you and letting them know they matter.
But my journey to becoming your neighbor didn’t start in the familiar small towns I love so much today.
From Big City Lights to Small Town Spirit
I grew up in Chicago—a city full of life, tall buildings, and the constant buzz of activity. It’s a place where things move fast and people are always on the go. But when I was six years old, my family made an unexpected move to a small town just outside of Nashville, Tennessee. It was the kind of town where everyone knew your name, where neighbors helped each other out, and where the bond between people meant more than just sharing the same zip code.
It was a world away from what I knew in Chicago. Instead of busy streets, there were country roads lined with wildflowers. Instead of the city’s skyscrapers, there were endless fields and open skies. And instead of rushing past strangers, people stopped, waved, and asked how your day was going. One of my earliest memories was at the small church outside Woodbury where my Dad was the pastor, where members would gather after service to trade what they’d grown or harvested that week.
One Sunday, I remember a neighbor handing us a basket of freshly laid brown eggs, and in exchange, my dad offered a bag of tomatoes picked straight from our garden. It was such a simple act, but it taught me something profound: being a neighbor is about showing up for each other, sharing what you have, and making everyone feel like they’re a part of something bigger.
Growing Up in a Place Where Community Came First
As I grew, so did the town. What began as a quiet, unassuming place blossomed into a medium-sized city just outside of Nashville, full of new businesses and fresh opportunities. But the essence of that small-town spirit never changed. Neighbors still greeted each other with a smile. People still gathered to trade produce, share stories, and look out for one another.
My parents played a big role in shaping how I see the world. My mom, a teacher, always reminded me to see the potential in others and to help them grow. My dad, a preacher, often spoke about the importance of building community through small, everyday acts of kindness. Together, they taught me that being a good neighbor means more than just living next door—it means being present, being generous, and being there for one another in both big and small ways.
A Love for Systems and Building Communities
Growing up in a small town taught me the value of connection, but I’ve always had a love for systems too—finding ways to improve processes, streamline operations, and make things run more smoothly. This passion led to a 7-year career as a Project Implementation Manager in the agricultural accounting cooperative industry. There, I helped local cooperatives and agricultural businesses implement new systems to improve efficiency and manage their store operations more effectively.
My experience doesn’t stop there. I’ve spent over 20 years in the supply chain industry, working with complex logistics and distribution operations while building processes that connect people, products, and businesses in meaningful ways. From managing inventory flows to ensuring products reach the right place at the right time, I’ve always been driven by a desire to connect the dots and make things work better.
But as much as I love systems and processes, what I really care about is how they help people. I believe that when systems work well, they free up time and energy for the things that really matter—like building relationships, supporting communities, and growing businesses in ways that feel personal and impactful.
Building Fanbase Collective: A Neighbor Helping Neighbors
I built Fanbase Collective because I believe in the power of these local connections. I wanted to create something that helps small businesses thrive while keeping that personal touch and sense of community. But I didn’t want it to feel like just another tech solution. I wanted it to feel like that friendly exchange outside the church—a neighborly gesture that makes life just a little bit easier and a little bit richer.
Technology doesn’t have to be intimidating or cold. Just like the way neighbors share their harvests, it can be a way to help each other grow. Fanbase Collective is here to help local businesses stay connected with their community, to reach out with a personal touch, and to build relationships that last.
Why I Believe in the Power of Being a Neighbor
I’ve watched communities rally around small businesses, and I’ve seen how these businesses give back in return, providing a place where everyone feels welcome. Even in a fast-paced, ever-changing world, there’s still room for a friendly “hello” and a simple “thank you” that comes from the heart.
Whether it’s sharing your homegrown produce or recommending the perfect product to a customer, every interaction matters. That’s what Fanbase Collective is all about—helping local businesses stay connected in ways that feel genuine and thoughtful, just like those small-town traditions I grew up with.
Because Being a Neighbor Is About Belonging
Being a neighbor is about more than just sharing a street—it’s about showing up, about knowing the person behind the counter and making them feel valued. It’s about those little moments that make people feel welcome, like a basket of tomatoes exchanged for a carton of eggs.
So when I say, “I’m your neighbor,” I truly mean it. I’m here to support your business in the same way those early trades at church were about supporting one another—giving what you have, sharing what you know, and making sure everyone feels part of the community.
Let’s Build That Together
At the end of the day, we all want to be part of something meaningful. That’s why I’m not just here as the founder of Fanbase Collective—I’m here as your neighbor, ready to listen, ready to lend a hand, and ready to help your business thrive.
Because being a good neighbor isn’t just about where you live. It’s about being there for one another, with a smile, a friendly wave, or maybe even a few freshly laid brown eggs.
I’m your neighbor. And I’m here to help.
---
“Hi, neighbor.”
It’s a simple greeting, but it means so much. Being a good neighbor doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s as easy as waving at the cars passing by your yard, stopping for a quick chat at the mailbox, or trading freshly grown vegetables for freshly laid brown eggs after Sunday service, right outside Woodbury. It’s about knowing the people around you and letting them know they matter.
But my journey to becoming your neighbor didn’t start in the familiar small towns I love so much today.
From Big City Lights to Small Town Spirit
I grew up in Chicago—a city full of life, tall buildings, and the constant buzz of activity. It’s a place where things move fast and people are always on the go. But when I was six years old, my family made an unexpected move to a small town just outside of Nashville, Tennessee. It was the kind of town where everyone knew your name, where neighbors helped each other out, and where the bond between people meant more than just sharing the same zip code.
It was a world away from what I knew in Chicago. Instead of busy streets, there were country roads lined with wildflowers. Instead of the city’s skyscrapers, there were endless fields and open skies. And instead of rushing past strangers, people stopped, waved, and asked how your day was going. One of my earliest memories was at the small church outside Woodbury where my Dad was the pastor, where members would gather after service to trade what they’d grown or harvested that week.
One Sunday, I remember a neighbor handing us a basket of freshly laid brown eggs, and in exchange, my dad offered a bag of tomatoes picked straight from our garden. It was such a simple act, but it taught me something profound: being a neighbor is about showing up for each other, sharing what you have, and making everyone feel like they’re a part of something bigger.
Growing Up in a Place Where Community Came First
As I grew, so did the town. What began as a quiet, unassuming place blossomed into a medium-sized city just outside of Nashville, full of new businesses and fresh opportunities. But the essence of that small-town spirit never changed. Neighbors still greeted each other with a smile. People still gathered to trade produce, share stories, and look out for one another.
My parents played a big role in shaping how I see the world. My mom, a teacher, always reminded me to see the potential in others and to help them grow. My dad, a preacher, often spoke about the importance of building community through small, everyday acts of kindness. Together, they taught me that being a good neighbor means more than just living next door—it means being present, being generous, and being there for one another in both big and small ways.
A Love for Systems and Building Communities
Growing up in a small town taught me the value of connection, but I’ve always had a love for systems too—finding ways to improve processes, streamline operations, and make things run more smoothly. This passion led to a 7-year career as a Project Implementation Manager in the agricultural accounting cooperative industry. There, I helped local cooperatives and agricultural businesses implement new systems to improve efficiency and manage their store operations more effectively.
My experience doesn’t stop there. I’ve spent over 20 years in the supply chain industry, working with complex logistics and distribution operations while building processes that connect people, products, and businesses in meaningful ways. From managing inventory flows to ensuring products reach the right place at the right time, I’ve always been driven by a desire to connect the dots and make things work better.
But as much as I love systems and processes, what I really care about is how they help people. I believe that when systems work well, they free up time and energy for the things that really matter—like building relationships, supporting communities, and growing businesses in ways that feel personal and impactful.
Building Fanbase Collective: A Neighbor Helping Neighbors
I built Fanbase Collective because I believe in the power of these local connections. I wanted to create something that helps small businesses thrive while keeping that personal touch and sense of community. But I didn’t want it to feel like just another tech solution. I wanted it to feel like that friendly exchange outside the church—a neighborly gesture that makes life just a little bit easier and a little bit richer.
Technology doesn’t have to be intimidating or cold. Just like the way neighbors share their harvests, it can be a way to help each other grow. Fanbase Collective is here to help local businesses stay connected with their community, to reach out with a personal touch, and to build relationships that last.
Why I Believe in the Power of Being a Neighbor
I’ve watched communities rally around small businesses, and I’ve seen how these businesses give back in return, providing a place where everyone feels welcome. Even in a fast-paced, ever-changing world, there’s still room for a friendly “hello” and a simple “thank you” that comes from the heart.
Whether it’s sharing your homegrown produce or recommending the perfect product to a customer, every interaction matters. That’s what Fanbase Collective is all about—helping local businesses stay connected in ways that feel genuine and thoughtful, just like those small-town traditions I grew up with.
Because Being a Neighbor Is About Belonging
Being a neighbor is about more than just sharing a street—it’s about showing up, about knowing the person behind the counter and making them feel valued. It’s about those little moments that make people feel welcome, like a basket of tomatoes exchanged for a carton of eggs.
So when I say, “I’m your neighbor,” I truly mean it. I’m here to support your business in the same way those early trades at church were about supporting one another—giving what you have, sharing what you know, and making sure everyone feels part of the community.
Let’s Build That Together
At the end of the day, we all want to be part of something meaningful. That’s why I’m not just here as the founder of Fanbase Collective—I’m here as your neighbor, ready to listen, ready to lend a hand, and ready to help your business thrive.
Because being a good neighbor isn’t just about where you live. It’s about being there for one another, with a smile, a friendly wave, or maybe even a few freshly laid brown eggs.
I’m your neighbor. And I’m here to help.