At the age of eight, I took a bold step by crafting a hand-drawn poster that proclaimed, Do you want to join my fan club? I displayed it in the quaint little town in Switzerland where I grew up. My neighbors, curious and perhaps a little bemused, would approach me, asking, What are we going to be fans of? My reply was simple yet profound: It doesnt matterits just about being excited. Even at such a young age, I recognized the infectious nature of enthusiasm.

Fast forward several decades, and that sentiment remains intact. I firmly believe that being a fan isnt merely about supporting a team or a celebrity; its a state of mind, a perspective towards life itself. Its about exuding enthusiasm, championing possibilities, and believing in others. When you find yourself in the presence of someone brimming with excitement, its hard not to catch that spirit. It radiates positivity and creates an atmosphere where others feel compelled to contribute their enthusiasm too.

To me, this is the essence of true transformation. While confidence is undeniably impressive, enthusiasm possesses the power to significantly change lives.

If I reflect on the pivotal moments of my life, I can trace them back to individuals who embodied this fan state of mind; those who believed in me, opened doors, or illuminated new paths simply by being themselves. This article serves as a heartfelt tribute to all the individuals who have encouraged us and nudged us towards new directions with their unwavering enthusiasm.

To my beloved, eccentric Aunt Hugi, who taught me to live life on my own terms:

Aunt Hugi was the most creative, unique, and spirited Swiss woman I ever knew. Growing up in the idyllic Swiss countryside, my visits to her in Zurich were nothing short of adventures. She was a fashion designer, an artist, and an unapologetic original. As I matured, I came to deeply admire her boldness and her disregard for societal opinions. She led a life full of creativity and courage, inspiring me to be fearless, carve my own path, and challenge conventional norms.

To my first boss, Matthew Waldman, who opened my eyes to new possibilities:

After completing my degree in graphic design, I convinced my parents to allow me to seek a three-month internship in New York City. Arriving on a Monday evening, I had an interview scheduled for the following morning with Matthew Waldman, the CEO of a small, then-nascent design studio. Within five minutes of our conversation, Matthew offered me a job and predicted I would never leave New York. Not only was he right, but his immediate belief in me taught me an invaluable lesson: a boss can be enthusiastic, kind, and genuinely caring. This experience set the tone for my career; I would never settle for anything less than a nurturing work environment.

To my daughter, Ella, who prompted me to ask, What am I waiting for?:

While working as a Design Director at a digital agency, I found myself pregnant with Ella and feeling inspired to aspire to greater heights. I had always dreamed of launching my own design studio, and the urgency of impending motherhood ignited that ambition within me. What was I waiting for? On the very day she was born, I took the leap to establish my design studio.

To Jim Coudal, who helped me realize, I can do this too:

Though my blog, swissmiss, gained popularity, I often hesitated to pursue new ideas. That changed during a SXSW conference when I heard Jim Coudal discussing his fun side ventures, including The Deck Network and Layer Tennis. His creativity illuminated a path for me, making me realize that I too could share my ideas with the world. This revelation led me to create Studiomates, a coworking space (now known as Friends Work Here). It has been nothing short of magical to witness the unfolding of creativity when like-minded, passionate individuals come together in a shared physical environment. Through engaging conversations over coffee and lunch, we have cultivated a space that has given rise to numerous companies, magazines, and conferences. We believe in each other and embolden each other to be brave.

To Ben Chestnut, co-founder of Mailchimp, who encouraged the momentum of CreativeMornings:

Inspired by my coworking community's magic, I felt compelled to share that energy with others. Living in a sprawling metropolis of eight million, I noticed a disconnect within the creative communities. I knew there had to be many heart-centered individuals eager to connect. So, I took a chance and invited people to a free breakfast event at 8:30 a.m. Initially, I faced skepticism and ridicule for my timing, but to my delight, 50 people attended the inaugural CreativeMornings event in October 2008.

Just four months later, I received an email from Ben Chestnut, who expressed his admiration for the events and inquired about sponsoring future gatherings. My lack of experience led me to clumsily ask them to cover breakfast expenses. However, this awkward beginning blossomed into a fruitful 15-year partnership, marked by unwavering support and encouragement.

Mailchimp continually reminded us to focus on our mission: nurturing and expanding our community. Having individuals affirm, We want to ensure you can work your magic, is precisely what the world needs.

To Ruth Ann Harnisch, who helped CreativeMornings think bigger and bolder:

When I first crossed paths with Ruth Ann, a former journalist and dedicated philanthropist leading the Harnisch Foundation, she articulated her belief in CreativeMornings potential to impact the world positively, one friendship at a time. In an act of remarkable generosity, she pledged $1 million, becoming our first patronthe ultimate fan! Her support transcends financial contributions; it reflects her deep-seated belief in individuals and their potential.

Thanks to her donation, we successfully launched Clubs: intimate, community-led gatherings centered around shared passions. Within just one year, NYC Clubs attracted 6,000 attendees, further fueling the CreativeMornings friendship-engine.

To all individuals who transform our lives:

Every time I encounter someone with a fan state of mind, I am transformedmy limiting beliefs are challenged, and new possibilities arise. If a single person can significantly change my trajectory, just imagine the impact entire communities could have.

I firmly believe that heart-centered communities can instigate a cultural shift towards kindness, generosity, and curiosity. A fundamental agreement for CreativeMornings is, I believe in you, you believe in me. We celebrate each others successes. This mutual uplift transforms us, helping us step into our potential and work towards a brighter future.

And that is the true power of enthusiasm. In a world that sometimes seems poised to discourage us, we must seek out and embody uplifting, optimistic, and heart-centered individuals more than ever. People who challenge us with the question, What if it turned out better than you ever imagined?

This piece is a heartfelt love letter to those who inspire us to be bolder and braver. It is also an invitation to extend unwavering belief in someone else. Every day, people demonstrate what is possibleand each of us can, in our unique ways, embody that spirit. To be a fan is to open your heart, to stand courageously in your enthusiasm, and to help transform the world.

So, let us all strive to be the eccentric Aunt Hugi for someone. Let us share our ideas with the world to inspire others. Let us contribute to the things we cherish and would miss if they were gone. Let us believe in people. Let us be fans.

This blog series represents our love letter to everyone who has ever participated in a CreativeMornings gathering. Since our inception in 2008, our incredible volunteers have hosted over 15,000 events worldwide. As a community, we have become adept at creating spaces that foster deep, meaningful human connections in an increasingly disconnected world. Through this series, we hope to share our insights, encouraging you to join us or create your own meaningful spaces. The future is not solitary; it is communal and hyperlocal.