Hey Reader,
I’ve got one more Cool Wow email in me. This is it.
Three years ago, I bought Cool Wow Collective having never really done a shred of marketing for myself. I’d never posted on Instagram for my own business. I’d never run a membership. I’d never hosted a coworking session.
I had been a Cool Wow member, so I had plenty of experience participating in coworking. That was about it.
And somehow, I said yes anyway.
There’s something to be said about backing yourself to do the thing.
Since then, we’ve held 254 coworking sessions (yes, I counted). Built campaigns I’m proud of. Shared a lot of stories. And mostly, I’ve just kept showing up. Even when it was hard. Even when I wasn’t sure anyone was watching. Even when I was sitting in a Zoom room all on my own.
And in the process, I became someone I’m really proud of.
Cool Wow changed me as a business owner. It made me braver. It sharpened my marketing instincts. It forced me to back myself and get things done.
It also changed how I see the role I play, not just in my business, but in other people’s.
With Assembld, my other business, I used to see marketing as a bit icky and just self-promotion. But now, I see it as a service. Because when people understand what I do and who I do it for, I can make a bigger impact for them, and for their audience.
Cool Wow shaped that. Everything I’ve done has been for the community.
And that’s why leaving is hard.
But it would feel disingenuous to stay, knowing this business isn’t the right fit for me anymore. I’ve always tried to walk the walk. So choosing to step away, and doing it with transparency and care, feels like being the kind of leader this community is worthy of.
This Friday, I officially hand over the reins to Nell.
I leave you in very good hands. I knew it from the moment she reached out, but today, during a casual coffee catch-up with some members, I heard her talk about her plans and her vision and it just solidified it.
She’s exactly who this community needs and deserves.
She cares deeply about Cool Wow and what we stand for, and I can’t wait to see what she brings to its next chapter.
To you, I say thank you. For being here. For being part of it. For sticking around.
I’ve felt so supported in this role, not just by members, but by people I’ve never even met or spoken to. The quiet encouragement, the replies, the shares. It’s meant more than I can say.
If you’re a member, nothing’s changing right now. Coworking continues next week as usual. If you're not, consider joining because this community really is something special.
And if you’re local to Wagga, don’t worry. Our in-person coworking days aren’t going anywhere. I’ll be continuing to run them independently under a new name and with a new look (coming soon).
I said recently that I feel like I’ve been the custodian of Cool Wow. This community is bigger than me, but I’m proud to have been its leader, scheduler and voice for a time.
Now, I’m turning my focus back to Assembld, the business that’s quietly been running in the background this whole time. I’m excited to give it a little more love, a little more time and a few new bold ideas.
Before I go, a few thank yous:
- To Nell, for carrying this community forward
- To Haley, for building something worth continuing
- To our incredible coworking hosts — Velvet, Jessie and Darby — for showing up week after week and helping to carry the load
- To our members, for being the absolute heart of this thing (and for believing in me)
- To The Other Rach — my unofficial business partner — for giving Cool Wow the glow up it deserved, and realising she can’t live without coworking along the way
- To Ryan, for backing me every step of the way (and being our unpaid-but-oh-so-official photographer and videographer)
And to you, for reading, replying, sharing, joining, following. Whether you’ve been here since day one or just found us recently, thank you.
Cool Wow made me a better human being. And I’ll never stop believing in the power of a supportive community, especially when you work for yourself.
Thanks for being part of my version of it.
I'd love to stay in touch, Reader, so connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram. And if you’re into regional tourism and events, I’ve started a monthly wrap called Unfolded. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at the marketing campaigns and content shaping the industry.
If there’s one last thought I can leave you with…
Go do the thing. Seriously. Just go do the thing. K?
See you around,
Rach
P.S. Nell officially takes over this Friday, so doors to our Virtual Coworking Club will reopen soon.
P.P.S. If you’re wondering why I called this a middle-of-the-night ramble in the preview text, I wrote most of it at 12.30am. It’s not always convenient, but I know inspiration will eventually strike.
