Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicki Davis.
Hi Nicki, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Absolutely! Connecting Charlotte started in December 2024 because I was so tired of feeling like every new connection happened through a screen. Between working remotely, using friendship apps, and dating apps, it felt like so much time and energy was wasted.
I wanted a more intentional way to connect with people in Charlotte, so I created one.
With no formal event planning background (just a love for bringing people together), I launched our first events not knowing if anyone would show up. They sold out the first time and pretty much every event since! It’s been such an incredible journey to watch this community grow and see Charlotte prioritize in-person connections again.
I’ve lived in several cities across the U.S. and abroad, usually not knowing anyone when I arrived. I know firsthand how hard it can be to build community, friendships, and date, which is why creating welcoming spaces where people can genuinely connect means so much to me.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Honestly, in a lot of ways it has been pretty smooth which I’m super grateful for. For example, we’ve grown steadily every year, built an incredible community, and I feel like every event gets a little better than the last. That’s been really rewarding to see.
Personally, though, my three biggest challenges have been balancing Connecting Charlotte alongside my full-time 9-to-5, learning almost everything as I went, and overcoming the self-doubt that naturally comes with putting yourself and your business out there. Looking back, those challenges have pushed me to grow just as much as the business has, and I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything, because it has made me so much stronger personally and professionally!
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Connecting Charlotte is all about making it fun and easy to meet your people and find community in Charlotte, North Carolina. Whether you’re looking for a relationship, new friends, or just a fun reason to get out of the house, Connecting Charlotte exists to help people make real, meaningful connections in person.
Since launching, we’ve welcomed over 5,500 guests across 110+ events, from our fan-favorite Modern Speed Dating events, friendship events, socials, Singles Showcases, comedy shows, and so much more.
Our events are thoughtfully designed to make meeting people feel natural and low-pressure. We care deeply about the guest experience throughout every step of the process. Using modern matchmaking technology, balanced age ranges and gender ratios, and incredible local venues, we help take the guesswork and awkwardness out of meeting new people.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I think people often confuse being uncomfortable with taking a real risk. Putting yourself out there can feel scary, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s risky. The more you push yourself outside of your comfort zone, the bigger your comfort zone becomes! To me, there’s a difference between stepping outside your comfort zone and putting yourself in a position that could seriously impact your financial well-being.
When I started Connecting Charlotte, I intentionally built it in a way that didn’t require a huge upfront investment or taking on debt. Of course, starting any business is still a risk – you sacrifice a lot of your personal time, energy, sleep, weekends, and time with friends and family, all without knowing exactly how it’ll turn out.
However, I also believe some of the best things in life come from taking thoughtful risks. If you can bet on yourself and things you’re passionate about, while being smart about the potential downside, it’s almost always worth seeing where that leap could take you.
Pricing:
- Our events are generally $10-25 depending on the experience!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.connectingcharlotte.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connectingcharlotte
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567211679645
