🌿 Story: The Old Way vs. The New Way

Deanna Ferguson

Oct '25 • Networking and Friendships

The Old Way: Alone on the Ladder

In the corporate world, you’re alone at the top of your own store.

You might see your district manager once a month.

Your nearest store is an hour away, and even then — you’re competing against each other.

There are bonuses, trips, and incentives for being “the best.”

But there’s no budget for joining the chamber or attending networking lunches.

Honestly, there’s barely time for lunch at all.

You work seven days a week — from 8:30 AM until 10 PM — and sometimes pull all-nighters just to get floor sets done.

That’s the ladder.

And no matter how high you climb, it’s lonely up there.

🛍️

The “In-Between” Way: Surviving, Not Connecting

When I stepped out of that and started managing a thrift store, networking looked different — but it still wasn’t connection in the way I longed for.

It was more like a group of exhausted business owners grabbing a drink every few months, finally exhaling for the first time all week.

The only “business friends” I really had were the shop owners in the building where my small version of The Vinew Shoppe was located.

And I have to say — those relationships stuck.

I’m still friends with them today, and actually going to their Halloween After-Hours Shopping Party in a couple of weeks! 🎃

But outside of that little circle, the town’s networking culture just didn’t exist.

If someone else was in your same industry, it was like an invisible wall went up.

No collaborations, no partnerships, no shared events.

I was there for nine years — and I never met another boutique owner.

Nine years! That’s wild to me now.

🌿

The New Way: Circles Over Ladders

Fast forward to this past year — just one year since opening The Vinew Shoppe — and everything feels different.

Now, I’m part of the Chamber.

We’ve hosted multiple events that include other boutiques.

We’ve joined both boutique crawls.

We’ve hosted “Coffee + Connection” mornings with other local businesses.

I’m also part of the Salt & Light Women’s Networking Group.

We’ve shown up at more than 11 local fundraisers to support nonprofits.

We were nominated for Wilco Women of the Year, and we even won Best of Liberty Hill – Thrift Store (still under wraps until November 6th 😉).

But the real win?

We’ve built three “circle groups” — women who started as business acquaintances and have become true friends.

We pray over each other’s businesses, share ideas, and check in weekly.

It’s not networking anymore — it’s community.

💬

Your Takeaway

I used to think success was about climbing higher.

Now I know it’s about circling closer — with people who share your heart, your faith, and your purpose.

Because ladders get lonely…

but circles? Circles build legacies

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