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“And not every idea should be one that you see through, but I feel like the ones that align with your goals and that you feel deeply passionate about are those that you should keep pushing forward.”
Some businesses start with a product. Others start with a moment.
For Ingrid Zapata Read, it began with connection. A late-night scroll, a shared feeling, and a decision to create space for something that didn’t feel visible enough—honest conversations around motherhood, work, and identity. What started as a simple Instagram account quickly became something people returned to, contributed to, and built alongside her.
That momentum came from paying attention: what people were sharing, what they needed, and what they weren’t finding elsewhere. Over time, that awareness turned into structure, consistency, and eventually, a business rooted in community.
In this episode, Ingrid shares how that evolution unfolded: from building Working MomKind to launching Grow With Community and helping founders think more intentionally about how they connect with their audience. She breaks down what actually drives engagement, why community building is a long game, and how relationships can shape opportunities in ways no strategy alone can.
If you’ve ever thought about building a community around your business, or wondered how connection translates into growth, this conversation offers a clear, experience-backed perspective on what that really looks like.
You can listen to the podcast here on Spotify and Apple Podcast.
Here are a few moments from the podcast:
It all started with a single moment of vulnerability that sparked connection:
“I posted what was going on and how I was feeling and I was crying and I took a selfie of myself crying and wanted to be able to share that with other people… like you're not alone, like it's really hard right now. And you slid into my DMs and saw that post and wanted to share it and repost it with the community that you had created on Instagram…and the rest is history.”
That moment reinforced a belief she now shares often about community:
“I think that it's going to make people realize that they have been building their own community without even realizing it over time… it's about the people that you pick up along the way… and I'm so happy to be here.”
Her own journey into building community came from a deeply personal need:
“I moved from Texas to New York City… I left all of my family and friends behind… I was scrolling on Instagram at 3 a.m. nursing my baby and I was like, you know what? I know I'm not the only one… and so I created an account… to see if I could connect with other moms who are feeling the same way.”
What began as a personal outlet quickly turned into something much bigger:
“I quickly… realized that I wasn't alone… what started as a personal project where I was just documenting my transition into motherhood and being a working mother after that and a career professional just evolved into a big community of so many of you… and it turned into a blog and a newsletter and partnerships and events… and it's still evolving… that's what I love the most about community.”
The turning point came when the community began contributing—not just consuming:
“It happened when I started receiving DMs from moms saying, ‘I want to share my story too.’… I never wanted it to be centered on me… I wanted it to focus on the shared purpose… and that's when I started seeing the ripple effect.”
That ripple effect proved just how powerful community could be in real life:
“There were two moms… working for the same company… they found out through the community… and now we can work together, advocate for each other… really drive change… when I started seeing that, I was like, I just have to keep going.”
Looking back, her biggest insight comes down to how everything connects:
“It really has been the magic of picking up people along the way… but really staying together through the many evolutions… you evolve as a person… and that's the beauty of having those people around you and growing together.”
You may also like:
- Why Trust Is the New Currency in Business and How Community Helps Build It
- How to Turn Customers Into Brand Ambassadors: Why Building a Community is Critical
- The Secrets to Building a Community Led Business with Ingrid Read
Join hundreds of ambitious, purpose-driven founders at The PGA National Resort for a life-changing weekend of inspiration, motivation, and transformation for the 2026 Founders Weekend!
Connect with Carlyn:
- @carlynbushmanconsulting on Instagram
- Carlyn Bushman on LinkedIn Carlyn Bushman Consulting
Connect with Ingrid:
- @itsingridsworld on Instagram
- Ingrid Zapata-Read on Linkedin
- Grow With Community
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Updated on: April 30, 2026
Guests
Hosts
Ingrid Zapata Read
Ingrid Zapata Read is a community strategist and founder of Grow With Community. She helps businesses get closer to the people they serve and build stronger, more intentional relationships around their mission.
After building a global community for moms of over 200,000 members, and through her experience in sales, startups, and customer experience, Ingrid brings a people-first perspective to growth across industries. She’s known for her thoughtful, practical approach and believes community building should be a part of every business strategy.
Carlyn Bushman
Carlyn Bushman is a seasoned business consultant, entrepreneur, and advocate for female founders. She founded POP Business Academy to empower women entrepreneurs with tools for building sustainable, profitable businesses. As CEO of Carlyn Bushman Consulting, she specializes in helping product- and service-based business owners navigate financials, marketing, and growth strategies. With extensive corporate experience, Carlyn, a mom in a blended family and lifelong learner, has been featured on Good Morning America and in Times Square. She's here to help you make money and stay in business.
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