Brought to you by Haley Hansen, Senior Account Coordinator at Girlilla Marketing

From the outside looking in, building a network can feel like a castle on a hill - I know, it’s a cheesy analogy, but stay with me. When I moved to Nashville from Florida, I started the climb in the only way I knew how: by saying yes. Yes to coffee meetings. Yes to late-night shows. Yes to being the new face in the room.

I’ve never been one to shy away from a chance to connect. Don’t get me wrong - I love my couch. But I love the idea of cultivating real human connection even more. And these days, that feels like a lost art. Especially in my generation, where so much of our interaction happens through screens, stepping out and striking up a conversation offline can feel oddly intimidating. But for me, that’s where the real magic happens.

I’ll state the obvious - building a network takes time, effort, and a whole lot of energy. But I recognized early that it’s one of the most valuable things I could do for my career. When I moved here four years ago, it was at the top of my list: find my people, build meaningful connections, and plant roots in this city.

To give you some context on my journey, I graduated from Florida State University in 2021. And not to bring up the “C” word, but COVID was a major obstacle during what’s supposed to be the most social time in a young adult’s life - college. Adjusting my mindset to a new reality wasn’t easy. Shifting from in-person learning to a screen created a deep longing for real human connection.

After graduation, I moved to Nashville with a dream of working in the music business. I started full-time at Girlilla, working a hybrid schedule - three days in the office, two at home. You might think adjusting to that setup was tough, but COVID had already prepped me. Still, I faced some adversity in my first few months at Girlilla. I won’t bring the mood down with the details, but I will say this: I learned early on that you’re only as good as the captain leading your ship.

That, in turn, makes me think of my Account Director, Stevie. The “woo girl” to my social butterfly. Stevie understood my need for connection. She saw it as a strength and continues to use it as an asset to our team. She values my tenacity to navigate unfamiliar places to capture the perfect shot, and my ability to make others feel safe, heard, and trusted.

There’s something special about when a client team trusts you and makes you feel like part of their inner circle. It goes beyond project deliverables. It means your perspective is valued, your voice is heard, and your presence matters. That kind of inclusion creates a deeper sense of purpose in the work.

Now, looking back on the three-plus years I’ve spent at Girlilla, all I see is growth, and a lot of yes! As a Senior Account Coordinator at Girlilla, I’ve had the rewarding opportunity to manage and mentor interns. I believe in building meaningful relationships with each student - helping them recognize their value and gain confidence. Beyond digital skills, I focus on teaching professional and human skills that support their growth. Encouraging genuine connection creates a two-way learning experience, and truthfully, I often feel like I gain just as much as they do.

One of the most meaningful lessons I've taken away from Girlilla, comes from the woman that started it all. Jennie has taught me, when you're given an opportunity, it's important to pay it forward. That mindset has shaped how I show up as a mentor: with intention, encouragement, and a commitment to helping others grow alongside me. I think about the incredible events I’ve been lucky to attend, the brilliant and kind people I’ve met, and the once in a lifetime moments I wouldn’t have had otherwise. I say yes because I know future me will thank me. Every handshake, every conversation, every RSVP is another step up the hill toward the vision I set for myself when I first got here.

I also recognize the work it took to get in the room. I pushed myself in ways my inner homebody still doesn’t fully understand. I learned how to float through a room with intention, to land in the moments that matter, and to listen for the cues no one says out loud. I joined groups like the CMA Ambassadors Committee which has been an incredibly rewarding experience, allowing me to connect with the broader music community. Joining groups like this, along with using professional platforms like LinkedIn strategically, is a small example of the “work” I’ve put in.

I take a lot of pride in nurturing the relationships I build. Some of the people I once emailed cold or met at a show are now part of my inner circle. I’ve learned that the strongest professional ties are often the most personal ones.

Social anxiety is real, and let’s be honest, we all feel it. And sure, in today’s world, a lot can happen online. But real human connection? That lives beyond a comment, a like, or a DM - and it’s so much more rewarding.

With every generation, I’ve learned something new:

So here’s my message to my fellow Gen Z - the next time an opportunity to connect presents itself, put the device down. Show up. Say yes. You never know where it might lead - or who you might become because of it.

To the younger generation - Gen X has taught me the importance of being present. The lack of human connection being made worries me, but I’m sure millennials said the same thing about my generation…and I turned out just fine! Long-distance connections matter, but they aren’t everything.

And to the Millennials - I’m learning there's value in being fully in a moment, instead of trying to document it. I don’t need to capture everything to keep it forever. Some things are meant to be felt, not filmed. Let’s just say I’m still learning.

As for me, I’ll keep climbing... one yes at a time.

Until next time,
Haley Hansen

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