Nine years ago, I moved from my hometown of Seattle to Minneapolis, stepping into an unfamiliar landscape without any local work connections. With excitement and a little uncertainty, I compiled a list of about 150 local designers, copywriters, and fellow web developers that I found through online searches and sent cold emails introducing myself. I was curious and hopeful to meet people who shared my passion and to begin building my career in a new city.
The response was overwhelming, and over the next eight months, I scheduled one-on-one meetups with more than 100 local creative professionals. Not too shabby for an introvert. The first weeks were a mix of apprehension and excitement as I’d walk into unknown coffee shops, armed with my iPhone and a handful of LinkedIn photos, hoping I would recognize my contact among the crowd. It was a bit of a stressful dance, but I’ll never forget one meeting where a copywriter I’d just met not only took the time to talk with me but spontaneously invited me to join his family for dinner that very night. While I politely declined (my introvert social battery was already in the red), the offer was an astonishing act of kindness that went beyond networking and opened the door to meaningful relationships.
Each encounter taught me something, connected me to someone, and slowly wove me into the creative community of the Twin Cities. In Seattle, collaboration was often efficient and professional, but conversations rarely went beyond the work. What I found here was a community that felt deeper and more personal. This spirit of generosity, I learned, was a core part of the Minnesota culture. People were willing to take time from their busy lives to engage in sincere conversations and to offer help without expecting anything in return. There was a true desire to build community and to support one another in creative endeavors.
This profound experience was a turning point; it was about finding a community that shared my values of generosity and collaboration. It was an opportunity to build relationships based on trust, kindness, and shared values. I found myself welcomed into a world where colleagues became friends and creative partnerships evolved from business into true friendships.
Among the many people I met, one person has become a particularly close friend. Over the years, our collaboration has been a (nearly) seamless synergy between his role as a designer and mine as a developer, making our collaboration on website projects some of the most enjoyable I’ve ever had. In addition to our professional partnership, he’s been a valuable mentor, offering his insight on navigating the business side of self-employment. He has also been there in other meaningful ways, helping me move into our house and joining my wife and me at house concerts we’ve hosted. My personal community has also grown significantly around the Twin Cities music scene, which has been a bridge to friendships and shared experiences, connecting me with people I might never have met otherwise.
Though I was born and raised in Seattle, Minneapolis has truly become my home. Despite the famously harsh winters, the warmth and real connection I have experienced here makes every challenge worthwhile. The state’s culture of care, collaboration, and connection has shaped my life in ways I never expected, both professionally and personally.
“Minnesota didn’t just offer me work opportunities; it offered me a place to grow, belong, and thrive.”
I’m deeply grateful for everyone who took the time to meet this newcomer. Their willingness to help made Minnesota a place where I am valued and supported. My journey, which began with a series of cold emails, turned into an intricate network of trusted collaborators and close friends. To my fellow designers, writers, and artists in the Twin Cities, I’m always looking to connect and explore new collaboration opportunities, so feel free to reach out and introduce yourself!
What I learned from this experience is a simple truth I’d share with anyone moving to a new city: reach out, be curious, and be vulnerable. You may be surprised at the friendships and opportunities that unfold.
(Illustration by Dan Woychick. Thanks, Dan!)
