Breaking Free from Networking Norms: How Unlock Collective's Meet-ups Were Born and Thriving with Pride
Hey Portland community! Polly and Oliver here, the duo behind Unlock Collective. We want to share the story of how our small business meet-ups came to be, and why we're so excited about our upcoming Pride edition this July 11th.
Back in 2021 when we founded our queer-owned business, we quickly realized something was missing in Portland's networking scene. We'd both spent years attending events that just... didn't feel right.
Polly + Oliver (left) stand with 3 guests at a recent meet-up at the LGBTQIA+ owned, Mosaic Taphouse
Here’s the problem with most networking events…
Oliver here - As a gender expansive person, I was tired of networking events that forced people into rigid boxes. You know the type: "men's business breakfast" or "women in business happy hour." Where was the space for folks like me? Not to mention the overwhelming pressure to "network like a boss" when my neurodivergent brain just wanted genuine connections.
And from Polly - I couldn't stand another evening of forced small talk and endless sales pitches. Most events felt like a game of "how many boring pitches do I have to sit through so I can talk to anyone in the room?". I wanted to talk about real community impact and local issues, not just exchange business cards to throw away.
Here’s what we decided to do…
So we thought - why not create the space we wished existed? That's how Unlock Small Biz Meet-ups were born, with a special focus on lifting up Portland's LGBTQIA+ small business and service provider community (and yes, our wonderful allies too, because we're stronger together!).
Let's not forget, the original Pride was a riot. We believe that owning and supporting small businesses—especially those run and operated by queer folks—is an act of resistance in today's economic landscape. Let's resist together by building community resilience!
We do it different, because we can!
Our meet-ups are different. No awkward ice breakers. No entry fees. No pressure to perform. Just genuine connections with like-minded business owners who believe in community over competition. We create space for real conversations, collaboration, and support.
And speaking of support - we're beyond excited about our special Portland Pride edition coming up on July 11th! Not only will there be networking with other folks, but we want to celebrate this community we’ve all built together.
We're pulling out all the stops with:
A pop-up photo studio for professional headshots and team photos
Pride-themed flash tattoos
Local queer makers, artists and businesses showcasing their work
Amazing service providers from our community
Live entertainment and music
Come join us in celebrating Pride, building connections, and lifting each other up. That's what this community we are building together is all about!
If you're a seasoned business owner or just starting out, our small business networking events are designed to help you find your people. Because in today's world, we need our community more than ever.
See you there,
