Weekly Thursday hangouts for creative business owners who are tired of awkward networking and the pressure to show up on social media
Networking That Doesn't Make You Throw Up a Little in Your Mouth
Join The Playhouse
It’s part networking space, part creative clubhouse, and part “oh thank god, other humans who get it.” 😅
Inside The Playhouse, members:
meet collaborators and referral partners
cowork together
join small group hangs and brainstorming sessions
record podcast episodes
talk through business ideas in real time
and build visibility through actual relationships instead of just posting more content online
Some people join because they want more visibility for their work.
Others join because working online all day can feel weirdly isolating.
Either way, The Playhouse is designed to help conversations turn into collaborations, opportunities, friendships, and momentum.
Where networking feels like a good hang
Your old job kinda sucked, but you loved your coworkers. (Well some of them at least 😅) And now you're just alone on your own version of Exile Island.
You're creating things, launching things, and showing up online… but sometimes it feels like you're doing it all by yourself.
So you start networking but it feels forced, awkward and exhausting.
But in The Playhouse we don't roll like that.
It's chill, fun, and sometimes a little unhinged in the best way possible.
Running an online business gets lonely fast.
Because talking about Bravo shows and business in the same conversation is what REALLY creates connection.
You can pop in and out depending on your schedule, but we have some fun things planned every Thursday for ya!
Thursdays rebranded as Baby Fridays
🪩 1st Thursday:
Networking Party, Find Your Referrals / Show + Tell Party, Think Tank Masterminds
☕️ 2nd Thursday:
Coworking and Coffee Chats
🙋♀️ 3rd Thursday:
Live Interviews and Q&As and Speed Networking
🎉 4th Thursday
Small Group Hangs and Community Fun
Every member brings something different.
connector
Helping connect people with other people in your network makes your world feel connected + meaningful!
introvert
You love smaller gatherings, deeper conversations, and real connection.
creative
You have big ideas and lots of 'em!
collaborator
You're a walking billboard for the idea of community over competition.
cheerleader
Making people's day is your superpower.
visionary
Entrepreneurship isn't easy, but when you dream this big it's definitely exciting!
You'll meet awesome people who'll talk about you when you're not in the room.
(In a good way, (like referrals + shout outs) not a reality tv show kinda way)
💫 The Playhouse works because we’ve all got a little bit of each one inside.
Built by a creative business owner, for creative business owners
After decades in the art world and entrepreneurial spaces, I've learned that networking is the easiest way to grow your reach, your opportunities, and your support system.
But if you're a creative like me, when you think of networking you picture some mansplaining jerk in a suit jacket pushing his business card into your hand. Ew... No thanks!
Reframing "networking" as hanging out, brainstorming, laughing and making friends - things you've probably been doing your whole life - can feel way calmer to your nervous system.
I built The Playhouse so artists, weirdos, and brilliantly quirky entrepreneurs would have a place to meet their next collaborators, referral partners, and even clients without ever feeling like some salesy jerk.
The result: a true community with no jerks allowed.
If you’re ready to grow your business through genuine connection, we saved you a seat inside our weird little scenius.
🤔 Still have questions about The Playhouse?
Here's some answers for ya!
There are no guarantees, but members definitely find collaborators, referral partners, and clients through the relationships they build inside The Playhouse.
The more you participate in the online community and events, the more chances of making business changing connections.
There's an online community in Heartbeat where you can chat and share things asynchronously and we chose the Thursday 12 - 3pm ET schedule so you'd know when things are and can try to plan around it.
Of course, there's no pressure to come to everything, if you just show up some times you'll still get value from the community!
Reach out to us! team[at]deannaseymour[dot]com
I feel strongly that we're all new and experienced at all different things in life and business. So maybe you're a beast at email marketing but your branding could be better.
This is a community, an ecosystem of sorts that thrives on diversity and people learning from each other. That being said, we do use breakout rooms and encourage small group meetups if you want to dive deep into a topic that would benefit from a more niche audience.
Heck no! We're all busy business owners, so you choose what works for you and skip the rest. There are lots of different ways to connect so do what works for your life, schedule, personality type, and business. You'll still get value from the community.
That’s totally fine! The Playhouse is a low-pressure place to connect in whatever way feels comfortable to you. And if you're newer to business, it's a safe place to network. learn from others, and be inspired!
Heck yes! We have a few different ways you can do this each month - either in the online forum or some of our Thursday events. We're humans with businesses so yeah, you can totally grow your list, make money, and get your work in front of other creative entrepreneurs in this space.
But make sure you're not pitch slapping anyone or cold DMing people like some desperate LinkedIn-er. This group leans more toward real conversations, creativity, and genuine relationships
Check out these mini case study trading cards...
MARIA MEDINA
Networking Coach
Talk about my wife without being prompted.
Most Likely To:
Collabs for my YouTube series: Let's Talk Business!
Biggest Win:
Member Workshops
Favorite Feature:
"I know people are being their authentic selves because that's exactly the type of space The Playhouse has built! No judgements. Just YOU."
After Joining:
"It was hard to determine when someone was showing up as their genuine self."
Before The Playhouse:
LEX ROMAN
Writer and community convener
Most Likely To:
Show up to a Playhouse event from the airport
Growing my Newsletter + Finding Smart Collaborators
Biggest Win:
Think Tank Masterminds
Favorite Feature:
“I have a homebase on the internet! Members are always cheering me on and offering ideas and connections I'd never even think to ask for.
This is a community of DOERS and HELPERS and I'm so deeply honored to be part of it.”
After Joining:
“I was hosting all my events myself, doing all my own marketing, and feeling like I was pushing a boulder up a hill every time.”
Before The Playhouse:
DR. MIMI ZHOU
Conversion Copywriter
"I meet new people without getting lost in the crowd. I’m constantly interacting with people, and Deanna being so present brings a LOT to the group.
After Joining:
"I’d tried other groups, but they were too big to connect in a meaningful way. Everything felt rushed, and real connection was hard to find."
Before The Playhouse:
Bang on about customer research being sexy.
Most Likely To:
I love co-working & having people around while I work, plus the Playhouse Chat for business questions as they pop up.
Favorite Feature:
Making new friends, list growth, and finding a Meta Ads collaborator who speaks my language.
Biggest Win:
LAUREN HEAD
Cheer you up if you're having a crappy day
Most Likely To:
VA + MS advocate
I went from “no clear direction” to a real business in motion, branding, email list, and a course launching by year’s end.
Biggest Win:
Coworking + Think Tank Masterminds
Favorite Feature:
"I've made real friends and great connections - and found a space I genuinely enjoy being in that helped get my butt in gear!"
After Joining:
Before The Playhouse:
"There wasn't room for me in any "business-minded" community because I still didn't know what I wanted to do when I grew up. I felt outcast and unwelcome."
ADAM DICKINSON
Future Self Strategist
Most Likely To:
Talk to you about your systems
I’ve found great collaboration partners and real referrals
Biggest Win:
Bundles + Collabs
Favorite Feature:
“When I can, I really enjoy chatting with other Playhouse members and getting to know people better.
The vibe of the Playhouse is also great because it's less "high expectations."
After Joining:
“My last community felt a little stuffy. With one person running everything, it was hard to truly connect with anyone.”
Before The Playhouse:
KIRSTEN GOLLIER
SEO Expert
Most Likely To:
Derail a conversation
I spoke at a Playhouse Summit and ended up getting a lead!
Biggest Win:
Hosting My Own Events
Favorite Feature:
“I’ve never once felt uncomfortable at a Playhouse networking event. Everyone’s so friendly, and the vibes are always great. I end up wanting to spend MORE time at the events, not less."
After Joining:
“I’d psych myself up for networking, worry about salesy matches or bad vibes, then leave feeling I’d wasted an hour.”
Before The Playhouse:
Deanna is the founder of The Playhouse and believes FUN isn’t just fluff, it’s your new strategy for growth. A graphic designer with a playful, no-fluff approach, she helps solopreneurs ditch boring marketing and build real relationships that spark real results.
Kate Burgener is an enthusiasm machine! As an annual report designer for non-profits, she has a knack for keeping visuals cohesive and clear, thinking about the bigger picture. After 12 years of business she's seen plenty of evolution and will help you embrace yours. Kate loves connecting you to resources and celebrating your wins.
Emily is the co-owner of Human VA with her mom, Lisa. They help creatives + small biz owners simplify, organize, and actually enjoy their business again.
Tiana Dodson is a Body Liberation Facilitator and guides people to reconnect with their bodies, destigmatize fatness, and learn about how systems of oppression are the root of our negative relationship with our bodies.
Adrienne Kmetz is a marketing strategist with 19 years of experience helping startups grow through smart content and authentic connections. She focuses on showcasing expertise, building engaged audiences, and creating systems that compound traffic and revenue, all while keeping marketing simple, sustainable, and human.
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