Where Founders Connect, Ideas Rise, and the Pitch Gets Ditched.
The Founders Forum SRQ is Sarasota’s intentional networking experience—where meaningful conversations meet real business growth.
This is not your typical meet-and-mingle. We’re here to learn, collaborate, and walk away with something we can actually use.
THIS ISN'T BUSINESS AS USUAL
We’ve all been there—awkward intros, forced referrals, and business card overload. We wanted something better. So we built it.
The Founders Forum SRQ is a space where:
- Every meeting delivers actionable insights from real business owners
- You build intentional one-to-one connections—not just collect names
- You join a room full of founders who show up to grow, not just be seen
Whether you’re scaling your team or leveling up your strategy, this community is designed to move you forward—with purpose.
What to Expect at Each Session
Open Networking
10 minutes to settle in, grab a coffee, and connect
Founder Welcome
A short intro from your hosts
Insightful Talk
Each presentation shares something practical, not promotional
Interactive Q&A's
Real conversations that spark ideas
1:1 Matchups
Everyone draws a business card to set up a meeting that week
Roundtable
Wrap-Up
Share your takeaways, lessons, and any business requests
You won’t leave empty-handed—you’ll leave fueled.
MEET THE FOUNDERS
Ely
Ely is a seasoned digital marketing strategist with over a decade of experience helping businesses grow online. She’s worked with 100+ entrepreneurs on everything from Local SEO to social media and Google Ads—delivering data-driven strategies that increase visibility, drive traffic, and grow revenue. She’s passionate about helping small and mid-size businesses compete—and win—in the digital age.
Sasha
A multi-award-winning entrepreneur and founder of multiple successful companies, Sasha brings her expertise across industries—from eCommerce to SEO to construction and lifestyle brands. With a no-fluff, purpose-driven approach, she co-created the Forum to build a space where established business owners could connect with authenticity, learn something useful, and grow with clarity.
Here’s a curated lineup of the first eight 20-minute Founders Forum talks—each one packed with practical, measurable value and designed to bust myths, inspire clarity, and equip attendees to take action right away:
Session 1: Not All Marketing Is Created Equal
Speaker: Sasha + Ely
How to spot fluff in your marketing strategy (and fix it).
- Why “brand awareness” isn’t always enough
- How to measure what’s working (and what’s not)
- The three questions every business owner should ask their marketer
Session 2: Google My Business Is Free—And You’re Probably Not Using It Right
Speaker: Sasha
- What GMB actually does for local SEO
- How to optimize your profile for maximum visibility
- Ranking in the “Map Pack” (and why it matters)
Session 3: What SEO Really Is (and What It’s Not)
Speaker: Sasha
- Debunking the biggest SEO myths
- The difference between visibility and conversions
- How SEO reduces PPC spend and builds long-term momentum
Takeaway: A content and keyword map template to identify what your site should be ranking for right now.
Session 4: Build a Brand People Trust
Speaker: Ely
- Why branding is more than just a logo
- The power of consistency across platforms
- How to create a mini brand guide (without a designer)
Takeaway: A free brand guidelines template to define your fonts, colors, tone, and logo usage.
Session 5: Website Design That Converts
Speaker: Sasha
- Design vs. function: what matters most in business websites
- The three things every homepage should have
- How to structure your site like a sales funnel
Takeaway: A homepage wireframe and content prompt for DIY optimization or design conversations.
Session 6: Are Ads Worth It? A Breakdown by Budget
Speaker: Ely
- When to run ads—and when to pause
- Google vs. Meta vs. local platforms
- How to test without wasting thousands
Takeaway: A one-page budget planner and ad goal worksheet.
Session 7: Social Media Strategy That Doesn’t Burn You Out
Speaker: Ely
- Choosing the right platform for your industry
- Creating 30 days of content in under 2 hours
- Leveraging engagement without being “on” all day
Takeaway: A content batching calendar and post framework to reuse monthly.
Session 8: How to Build Authority Online Without Ads
Speaker: Sasha
- The long game of thought leadership through SEO
- Leveraging blogs, podcasts, guest posts, and PR
- How to repurpose content for maximum reach
Takeaway: A content authority builder worksheet + checklist of 10 places to publish or pitch in the next 30 days.
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Headquarter
- Sarasota County
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- +1 941-363-6337