The ROI of showing up (in person)

Hey, it’s Arik.

I attended an event in Toronto this past weekend (keeping it vague, but trust me, it was worth it). And it got me thinking about how powerful it is to just show up.

These gatherings are so much more than just networking or learning opportunities. They’re energy shifts, they’re idea accelerators, and they’re business catalysts.

There’s a different kind of return that comes from being in the right rooms, offline.


1. You can't innovate in a vacuum.
At this event, I met vendors, heard fresh perspectives, and saw entrepreneurs crushing it in ways I hadn’t even considered. And yeah, it’s not always easy to justify the time or money.

There’s no clear funnel, no real attribution model, and no dashboard that tells you, “This connection is going to generate $87,433 in retention revenue this quarter.” But trust me, the ROI on events is often untrackable... and absolutely massive.

Every event I’ve been to this year has given me at least one idea I brought straight back to the team and built into our internal strategy.


2. The energy shift is underrated.
Being around other entrepreneurs, whether they’re facing the same challenges or have already conquered them, can push your business and life forward in ways you can’t quantify.

You’re exposed to fresh thinking, and you hear how others are solving similar problems in completely different ways. You leave with ideas, frameworks, names, and sometimes just a subtle mindset shift that ends up completely reframing what felt like a roadblock.

Even more than that (and this one’s big), you walk away with energy. An energy that's hard to explain until you’ve felt it. And that’s been huge for me lately.


3. Remote work is great, but in-person connection is unmatched.
My team and I work virtually. We live in Slack, our clients span across continents, and AI is making it even easier to build everything without face-to-face interaction.

But I still believe that the most meaningful, lasting relationships are built offscreen.
This event reminded me of the power of a handshake, a shared laugh, and a deep conversation. You don’t get the same level of nuance, trust, or collaboration without spending real time together.


4. Our game plan
Heading into 2026, we’re going to start putting serious energy into making this a bigger part of what we do.

We’re planning to host intimate workshops, masterminds, and strategy intensives in Colorado and a few other locations for clients, friends, and others who want to build the right systems and community around them.

You’d be in a room with other high-performing brand owners, agency leads, and entrepreneurs, plus the people behind the dashboards (Google, Meta, Klaviyo, and more), helping you dissect your accounts and get hands-on feedback.

It definitely won't be a “sit and take notes” kind of thing.

But before we do that, I'd love your input. If that’s something you’d be interested in (even if it’s just a maybe) reply to this email and let us know. We’re shaping the format now and would love your insights on what would make it worth showing up for.

Bite-Sized Action Steps:
Here are a few simple, practical moves you can take this week that compound over time:

1. Look at your calendar and plan for 1 event before year-end.
Whether it’s a niche ecommerce meetup, a private dinner, or a large-scale industry conference, make space for in-person connection. Choose one that feels aligned with your stage, your goals, or your energy.

2. Reach out to 1-2 people you respect.
DM someone in your space who’s building something you admire. Don’t ask for a call or pick their brain, just start a real conversation. You’d be surprised how many opportunities come from one honest, human message.

3. Audit your energy.
Ask yourself: when was the last time I felt lit up about what I’m building? If the answer’s “not lately,” that’s not a productivity problem. That’s a momentum problem. Events aren’t a silver bullet, but they’re a powerful way to reset your mindset and shift your environment.

4. If you’d come to an in-person workshop we host in 2026, don’t forget to reply to this email.
No pressure, we just want to know if there’s interest. Whether it’s in Colorado or another city, we’ll be shaping the format based on who it’s for and what you actually want to walk away with.

See you next Thursday,
Arik