Key Takeaways:
- Mom Commerce Media tripled its business by focusing on in-person events for women and mothers.
- The company uses a mix of digital, print, and in-person strategies to connect moms and businesses.
- In-person events help build real connections, which are harder to achieve online.
- Eryn Vargo, the founder, believes perception is reality in business and networking.
- Depth of audience engagement is more important than broad reach.
- Consistency and genuine connections are key to growing a business.
Mom Commerce Media Tripled Its Business by Focusing on In-Person Events – Here’s How
Introduction
Mom Commerce Media is a hyperlocal media company that focuses on connecting moms and women in Central Florida with local and national businesses. Founded by Eryn Vargo in 2013, the company started as a way to build a community of mom bloggers. Over time, it grew into a multi-channel platform that includes digital, print, and in-person events.
By focusing on in-person events, Mom Commerce Media tripled its business since 2021. This might seem unusual in a digital-first world, but it worked! Let’s explore how the company grew and what lessons we can learn from its success.
How It All Began
Eryn Vargo, a former corporate marketing executive, started Mom Commerce Media to create a community for local mom bloggers. She wanted to bring people together and build a network where moms could share ideas and connect.
Over time, Eryn noticed that moms needed connection and resources, while businesses wanted ways to reach this valuable group of people. So, she transformed Mom Commerce Media into a platform where businesses could collaborate with moms in a unique way.
What They Offer
Today, Mom Commerce Media is a place where moms and businesses connect through:
- Digital channels like websites, social media, and newsletters.
- Print publications focused on specific areas of Central Florida.
- Over 50 annual in-person events.
Eryn explains that in-person events are key to their success. “Without the in-person events that we have, I think there would be something lacking for our clients,” she says. “There’s something to be said about giving them the opportunity to directly connect with these women in our community to have those conversations so that they can ask questions and directly get answers from someone in person.”
Why In-Person Events Work
Mom Commerce Media hosts many types of events, including:
- Prosper and Flourish Networking Events: These are monthly in-person networking events for women business owners. They happen from September to May and focus on helping small to mid-sized businesses grow.
- Family-Focused Annual Events: These include an inclusive egg hunt for kids of all abilities and a Santa event in winter.
- Women’s Wellness Event: This is their biggest event, focusing on women’s health and well-being.
- Bloom Event: A celebration of motherhood with flower arrangement activities, professional photos, and community building.
- 80s Mom Prom: A fun summer social event for moms to connect and enjoy themselves.
- Weekly Coffee and Connection: Every Friday, moms meet at coffee shops across Central Florida to co-work and network.
These events help create a sense of community and connection that is hard to achieve online. Eryn believes that while digital tools are great, they can’t replace real-life interactions. “We were built for connection. We are beings that were built for community,” she says.
The Power of Networking
Eryn’s philosophy is simple: “Perception is reality.” What people think your business is, is what it is to them. To change their perception, you have to connect with them in person.
She explains, “If you’re not out there explaining who you are, taking up space, and being proud of your business, no one’s going to know about it. They’re not going to be intrigued enough to ask you questions.”
This old-school approach to networking has worked well for Mom Commerce Media. At the recent Mom 2.0 Summit, Eryn shared her insights on networking, and people loved her perspective. Many asked how they could join her events, showing the value of in-person connections.
Depth Over Reach
In the creator economy, many people focus on growing their following. But Eryn believes that depth is more important than reach. “It’s not all about your numbers,” she says. “There’s been that misconception for years that you must have this huge following to be considered viable for some of these campaigns and these promotions. It’s more about the depth of your audience, not the reach.”
She thinks this trend will continue. More people are realizing that having a smaller, engaged audience is better than having a large, disconnected one.
Expanding the Model
Mom Commerce Media is now expanding throughout Florida. They plan to grow their Women in Business program, called “Prosper and Flourish,” and create satellite locations to bring women together in other areas.
Eryn explains, “We’re looking to grow our hyperlocal influence throughout Florida.” The company is also focusing on helping “middle of the road” businesses—those that are not startups but aren’t large corporations either. These businesses often lack support, so Mom Commerce Media is stepping in to fill that gap.
Advice for Business Owners
For anyone looking to grow their business, Eryn has some advice:
- Show Up Consistently: “You have to show up. And whether that’s in person or online, you just have to show up and be consistent.”
- Focus on True Connections: “Focus on true connection and finding your tribe of people in the business world that you can connect with and relate to. It is a game changer as you’re trying to grow your business to have people who truly understand where you are.”
- Educate People About Your Business: “If you’re not educating people on who you are and what you do, they have their own potential misconception about your business. And so it’s really important to ensure that you are in your community in multiple ways, trying to grow your business from that standpoint as well.”
Conclusion
Mom Commerce Media’s success shows that even in a digital world, in-person events and real connections still matter. By focusing on community building and networking, the company has tripled its business since 2021.
Eryn’s story reminds us that building a business is not just about growing online. It’s also about creating real-life connections and showing up consistently for your audience. Whether you’re a mom, a creator, or a business owner, these lessons can help you grow your own brand.
As Mom Commerce Media continues to expand, it’s clear that their formula for success is one to watch. Who knows? Maybe one day they’ll be in your city too!
