Big Feelings, Real Anger, and Why These Moments Matter

On Thursday morning, over 100 small business owners, nonprofit leaders, artists, and community builders packed into the basement of The Bower in Beverly. What started as a simple gathering became something much bigger. A room full of people chose connection over isolation, community over fear, and each other over going it alone.

Honestly? We needed it.

Why Does the Essex County Business Community Need These Spaces?

Let’s be real for a moment. The past few weeks have been a lot. The past year has been a lot. The world is loud, the news is heavy, and running a business or organization while trying to have a life can feel impossible.

That’s exactly why spaces like this matter. That’s why gatherings like this matter. And that’s why showing up for each other matters.

“If we can give you once a month, one hour, where you’re not freaking out about the world, then we’ve done our job,” I told the room. “Your businesses are hard enough. You need safe spaces, and you need safe people around you to be able to do this.”

Creative Collective has always served a different kind of business community. We serve the entrepreneurs, artists, nonprofits, makers, and service providers who don’t quite fit the traditional mold. At Thursday’s gathering, I leaned into that identity.

“The amount of talent, the amount of creativity, the amount of problem-solving in this room is incredible,” I said. “I know many people where the most important thing to them is serving their community—and that’s first, before how much money they make. That’s not normal. And I love that for us.”

Furthermore, I shared something that resonated deeply with everyone present.

“If there’s a way I could describe what we are, we’re kind of like the Island of Misfit Toys. And I love that for us.”

Permission to Feel What We’re All Feeling

I’m angry. Straight up. I’m just pissed off lately. But this helps. Walking through this space, seeing the energy, feeling the energy—it helps.

“I know there’s a lot of anger, there’s fear, there’s all that stuff,” I told the group. “Put that back into your community. Put that back into your artwork. Put that back into the things that you create. We will amplify it. We will make the world feel not so shitty. That’s kind of part of our job.”

Additionally, I wanted everyone to understand something important about what we do together.

“Yeah, we’re a business support program. But for me, the humans in this room are way more important than your businesses. And your businesses, by default, are bringing good things to the community.”

Consequently, the message was simple: you don’t have to do more than you’re already doing. I think it’s okay that you’re just doing what you’re doing. Just keep doing that.

What Makes The Bower Different?

This month’s Coffee with the Collective was hosted at The Bower—Montserrat College of Art’s 36,000-square-foot creative hub in downtown Beverly. Creative Collective has established a satellite office there because we believe this model matters.

Brian Pellinen, President of Montserrat College of Art, spoke about why the college invested in this space.

“I think all of us are probably watching the news. We see the things that are going on across the country and around the world. And it sometimes is discouraging. How do we move forward? What can we do about it?”

He continued: “For me, The Bower is one of those places where we can do something about it. What we’re doing here is create a community—a community of supportive people who come together around creativity and the arts.”

Moreover, Brian emphasized the college’s commitment to the region. “We made a choice: we want to stay small, we want to stay rooted in this community. And if we tie our academic program into this community, we offer something here on the North Shore of Massachusetts that very few other places can.”

Michael Kerr, Director of Creative Enterprise at Montserrat, broke down what makes The Bower different from other spaces serving the Essex County business community.

“A lot of cities have artists. A lot of schools graduate talent. But this is the only place that has a pipeline from student to professional, professional to business, business to community.”

He described The Bower as equal parts art district, startup incubator, job creator, business hub, and community space. “What you’re standing in right now is a massive cultural and economic engine—and it’s just getting started. It’s been five months. I have to keep repeating that.”

Subsequently, Michael shared his vision for the region’s creative economy. “By 2030, this is gonna change. Beverly’s gonna change. The North Shore is gonna change. And what that looks like, what it becomes, is largely up to us. Because none of this vision can happen without the community, without all the people in this room.”

How Can Legislators Support Small Businesses and Nonprofits?

Senator Joan Lovely kicked off the morning, squeezing in remarks before a meeting with the President.

“I really believe that as legislators, we should meet people where they’re at, in your space,” she said. “How can government, how can my office be helpful to you?”

Additionally, she acknowledged the current climate with honesty. “We got some, you know, kind of like, we’re not real solid on our grounding and foundation right now—but we’re solid here this morning with all of you here today.”

Her invitation was direct and genuine. “Please come to the office. The door will be wide open to welcome all of you and tell me what’s important to you, so we can advocate for it at the state level.”

Senator Lovely also gave a shout-out to Mass Cultural Council and announced that Beverly Main Streets just received a $5,000 grant.

Nathan from Salem Five, who sponsors Coffee with the Collective, captured the energy perfectly: “I can’t imagine any other people besides John Andrews who could call on a Thursday morning at nine thirty and get this. It is important to meet folks where they are.”

Setting Intentions: Francelis’s Powerful Message

Francellis Quinones – founder of Me Now You Consulting and the Conscious Liberation Movement Institute

We asked Francelis, founder of Me Now You Consulting and the Conscious Liberation Movement Institute, to help us set intentions for 2026. What she delivered was something the room didn’t know it needed.

Here are her full remarks:

“How are we doing, good people? My name is Francelis. I’m the founder of Me Now You Consulting and the Conscious Liberation Movement Institute.

Before anything else, I want to say this: I’m really glad to be in this room with creatives, truly. We are creating in a time where it takes courage to just be.

I’m someone who believes deeply in community—not the polished, fake, pretty, Instagram-only kind, but the real kind. The kind where things are messy, unfinished, and still fucking meaningful. The kind where we don’t have to pretend that we’ve figured it all out to belong.

I’m here the same way you are—to connect, to listen, and to create alongside you. No fixing, no performing, just being together, seeing what’s possible when we don’t do it alone.

Let’s be real for a second, though. It’s tough out here. That anger, that anxiety, that pain—that’s real. But let it not blind us. Creating, surviving, dreaming, paying bills, staying soft—all at the same time.

I invite you to put one hand on your chest and take a slow, intentional, deep breath in through your nose, and exhale through your mouth with a sound. It could be a hum, it could be an ‘ah.’ Let yourself release it however you want.”

The room breathed together.

“There are so many of you in this room. I want you to, in groups of two or three, finish these sentences: Right now, I am carrying ______. And in this collective, I am claiming ______.

Turn to someone near you. Each person gets forty-five seconds. Your only response as the listener is: ‘I hear you. Thank you.’ Don’t fix it. Don’t give any advice. Nobody asked you anything.”

The room buzzed with conversation. People shared. People listened.

“I heard stress. I heard anxiety. I heard fear. I also heard hope. I heard rest.

Now, in the spirit of a collective creative, I want you all to say one word at the count of three—one word that you want more of in your creative life this season. One, two, three—”

The room erupted: Peace. Joy. Rest. Freedom. Connection.

“Look at that. Different voices, same room, shared intention.

When we purposely and intentionally do things for ourselves that disconnect from the narrative of what we’re supposed to be, we are simply able to be. Just like John said—it doesn’t matter what your business plan is, what your growth plan is, what your action steps are. You simply being, waking up, washing your face, coming out here and being—is enough.

That’s collective energy.

You don’t have to be fully healed. You can be angry. You don’t have to be fully funded. And you don’t have to be fully confident to belong here. You just have to keep showing up and let yourself be seen while you do. Let yourself be seen in all of the ugly messes, in all of the true, vulnerable moments in your life—because that’s what makes us human. That’s what makes us one.

The light that connects me to you is in our gut, and all of us are one. So take that with you into your day, into your year, and know that you are not alone.”

\Mikki Wilson – The Dot Connector

Thank You to Our Partners and Sponsors

This gathering was made possible by an incredible group of partners and supporters. Each one demonstrates what happens when businesses and organizations invest in community building.

Event partners included The Bower and Montserrat College of Art for hosting us, Senator Joan Lovely for showing up and engaging authentically, and Salem Five for their continued sponsorship of Coffee with the Collective.

Food and beverage sponsors made the morning welcoming. The Castle (Ryn and Kevin Grant) provided the coffee. La Frontera Sabrosa prepared a delicious Dominican breakfast. Jenni Stuart Fine Jewelry sponsored the breakfast spread.

Additionally, Love Letter Confections (Samantha Laverdiere) created a Love Letter making station. Mikki L. Wilson, The Dot Connector, facilitated connections throughout the morning.

Community organizations present included Beverly 400+, Beverly Main Streets, and Mass Cultural Council.

Finally, tremendous gratitude goes to Francelis and the Conscious Liberation Movement Institute for grounding us. And thank you to the Creative Collective team: Alyssa, Tia, Mikki, and our newest team member, Ainsley.

What’s Next for Our Community

Mikki Wilson – The Dot Connector

This is just the beginning of 2026. The Essex County business community continues to grow stronger, and these gatherings fuel its momentum.

Upcoming events include Coffee with the Collective and Salem Main Streets at Trade House in downtown Salem on February 5. The Love Letter Pop Up Market runs February 7 as part of Salem’s So Sweet. Then we join forces with the Salem Rotary on Feb. 24th for “Mixer” A Winter celebration. In March, we gather at Cinema Salem to celebrate Salem Film Fest on March 19.

Furthermore, GRAYSCALE: An Indie Business Summit runs March 31 through April 2. Then in April, we host Coffee with the Trustees at Moraine Farm.

2026 is going to be big. Let’s build it together.

This story comes from the Creative Collective community—Essex County businesses who believe when we thrive together, our whole region becomes more vibrant. We’re entrepreneurs, creators, and service providers across all industries, collaborating to build the community we want to be part of. If you see your business as more than just commerce—as a way to contribute to our regional ecosystem—you belong here. Discover how to join our community →