Hatch Creatives, St. Augustine: Notes on Courage, Creativity, and Community
I recently went to a Hatch Creatives meeting here in St. Augustine. Hatch Creatives is “a community of women gathering to encourage, collaborate, and be inspired by one another.” And the evening delivered just that!
First off, it was graciously held at the studio of an amazing local artist, Jenna Alexander. Her work captures the essence of community and a love of the coastal Florida landscape, not only through seascapes, marshes, oyster shells, and native flora, but also in the quiet rituals of daily life: walking through familiar neighborhoods, pausing on porches at dusk, or sharing the soft glow of a summer evening with those around us.
The attendees enjoyed hand-crafted coffee drinks from Break Coffee Cart, a very cool mobile café known for popping up at creative gatherings around town; wholesome gluten-free and dairy-free treats from Alms + Fare, one of our favorite local bakeries; and the soulful sound of live music by Erica VonOhlin, whose voice added warmth and energy to the evening.
The panel featured an inspiring lineup of women who are making an impact here in St. Augustine: Janice Nguyen Hudgins, owner and operator of Little Miss Ha Vietnamese Cuisine, who brings the flavors of her heritage to our community; Kelly Franklin, CEO of the Betty Griffin Center, leading vital work in support of survivors of domestic and sexual abuse; Kiara Nicolette, a realtor with Endless Summer Realty, helping families put down roots in our city in their dream home; and Liz Snyder, owner of one of the coolest spots in town, Spinster Abbott’s, whom I’ve lovingly nicknamed ‘Mama Augustine’ for the radiant way she takes in a room full of locals gathered in her vibrant bodega and taproom.
As if it couldn’t get better, the evening was guided by Erin Horan, a two-time Emmy-winning journalist and producer whose career spans nearly two decades with CBS, Showtime, and 60 Minutes. Her thoughtful questions and steady presence gave the panel a dynamic flow and added depth to the night.
Together, this group of powerhouse women offered diverse perspectives on creativity, leadership, and community building. I left the meeting with the kind of spark you only get when you sit in a room full of brave, creative people talking honestly about the messy parts of building something that matters.
One of the most powerful things the host said was that we all have creativity to give. Creativity isn’t just about painting, writing, or crafting - it’s also about sharing joy. Our creativity is a gift - whatever that is for you - and when we let it flow, we give something meaningful back to the people around us.
That struck me deeply because it’s exactly why I work on The Inheritance Collective. Jewelry brings me joy, and I believe that joy is something I can and should share with others.
So much of what the panel shared resonated with me, especially around imposter syndrome, scarcity mindset, and shyness. These are themes that sneak into my own journey again and again. Listening to the panel of women admit the same struggles reminded me that I’m not alone, and also that the only way forward is through.
Because I was so inspired by these women’s stories, I felt compelled to share some of the themes that stuck with me, in the hopes that they also inspire you.
🌟 Surround yourself with cheerleaders.
We all need the people who say “you can do it” when we’re doubting ourselves. Life is short - do the thing! Sometimes the bravest act is simply saying yes when you want to say I’m not ready - and it always feels easier when you know you have people who are truly in your corner.
🌟 Growth means discomfort.
One speaker said, “The only way to get somewhere someone else is at is to do the work and go for it.” That hit me. The steep learning curve isn’t something to avoid - it’s proof that you’re growing. If it feels scary, that’s exactly why it matters.
🌟 Scarcity is a trap. Collaboration is the way forward.
This came up again and again. Instead of competing, find the gaps. Build collaborations, not enemies. A rising tide lifts all boats. That’s how creative communities thrive. This was a big nudge for me personally, because I can easily slip into a scarcity mindset. Hearing business owners talk about sharing, lifting others, and trusting abundance made me remember to trust in the abundance of the universe. What you want is already on its way to you.
🌟 Delegation is freedom.
As entrepreneurs, we wear all the hats and most of us feel like if it needs to be done and done right, then we should be doing it ourselves. But doing everything yourself eventually chokes your creativity. Trusting others not only frees you, it allows people on your team to shine and for you to build confidence in them for future projects. Sustainability means you rest when you need to rest, and you create when your cup is full.
🌟 Know your worth.
If you aren’t respected, walk away. If you aren’t happy, do something else. The work will come. Sometimes that’s easier said than done, but I think many of us needed that reminder. I recently terminated a contract with a client - it was the biggest contract I had ever negotiated and it gutted me to quit it, but ultimately I knew that it was the right thing to do. They didn’t respect me or my team and they made us lose the love we have for our work. I won’t give anyone that power for long. And I have faith - the work will come.
🌟 Joy and purpose are the true rewards.
At the end of the day, what everyone kept circling back to wasn’t money or accolades - it was joy and fulfillment. The joy of bringing people together, of sharing gifts, of seeing someone light up because of something you created. And the fulfillment that bringing our unique gifts into our communities and the world gives us. When you are sharing the best of yourself, you can’t help but glow from the inside out.
For me, that was the thread tying everything together. Community, courage, and creativity aren’t separate. They feed each other. And the more we lean into connection instead of comparison, the more abundant and sustainable our creative lives become.
I walked away reminded that imposter syndrome, shyness, and scarcity aren’t signs to stop what I’m doing. They are signs that I’m on the right track. As one of the panelists said: “Run at the speed of thought. If you have an idea, chase it. You’ll figure out the rest along the way.”
Sometimes the answer really is that simple: say yes, start now, and trust that the ground will rise to meet your feet every step of the way.
So, if you’ve made it this far into this post, I’m sure you understand why I was so inspired. The next St. Augustine Hatch Creatives event will be in January, and the theme is mental health. If you’re local, I’d love to see you there. And if you’re not, check out their website to see if they’re coming to your area or if you can do something to help them expand. It would definitely be worth the effort. ❤️💫