How to Stay Connected This Summer — Even When Life Gets Busy!

Ahh, sweet summer in the Twin Cities. The season of lake days, long weekends, and a calendar that somehow fills up faster than your beach bag. With kids out of school, vacations on the horizon, and sunshine calling you outdoors, it’s tempting to let professional development take a back seat until fall.

But here’s the truth: growth doesn’t have to pause in the summer. In fact, these slower, more spacious months can be the perfect time to nurture the relationships that fuel your personal and professional life.

At TeamWomen, we believe that connection is the key to success for women at every stage of their careers. So if you’re wondering how to stay engaged without overloading your schedule, here are six intentional ways to stay connected and keep growing this summer:

1. Say Yes to Casual Coffee Dates

Summer is the season of ease, and networking can be too. Instead of waiting for a formal meeting or a big event, reach out to a colleague or mentor for a casual coffee. Morning lattes on the patio or a quick check-in before a workday can lead to rich conversations and renewed energy for your goals.

Feeling nervous about making the ask? Join us at one of our community-favorite Energy Breakfasts on June 10th, July 22nd, or August 26th. These casual morning events are the perfect place to warm up your networking muscles in a welcoming, low-pressure environment. With coffee, light bites, and friendly faces, you never know what a conversation over breakfast might spark.

Don’t be afraid to start small: “Want to grab a coffee and catch up this week?” You’ll be surprised how often others are looking for that same connection.

2. Mix Fun with Connection

Some of the best connections are made when you’re relaxed, laughing, and simply enjoying the moment. Summer is the perfect time to lean into low-pressure, high-enjoyment experiences that double as networking opportunities.

Need a fun excuse to get out and meet new people? Join us to play the fastest-growing sport, Pickleball, on July 10th at Accredited Investors Wealth Management! Seasoned players or newbies are welcome; we’ll have everything you need from paddles and balls to coaches ready to help you master the basics. With games, a cozy fire pit, and a beautiful patio for relaxing and mingling, this event is all about connection, community, and a little friendly competition.

Social events like this make it easier to connect authentically. After all, you’re not just talking—you’re playing, laughing, and making memories.

Let your guard down and let the connections build naturally.

3. Attend Events That Fill Your Cup

You don’t need a packed calendar to stay involved. Choose a few high-impact events that align with your goals and values. TeamWomen’s summer programming includes casual networking, empowering speaker panels, and meaningful service opportunities. So whether you want to expand your circle, learn something new, or give back, there’s something for you.

Bonus? You’ll walk away inspired and with new names in your contacts list.

4. Reconnect With Your Why

When life gets busy, it’s easy to get stuck in the day-to-day. But summer gives us space to reflect. Take time to revisit your “why.” Who inspires you? What’s the next chapter in your leadership story? Who do you want to surround yourself with?

Once you’ve answered those questions, make a plan. That might mean reaching out to a former mentor, finding a new professional group to join, or signing up for a volunteer opportunity that aligns with your passions.

5. Empower a Young Girl While She’s on Summer Break

Summer is also a great time to pour into the next generation of leaders. If you have a daughter, niece, student, or neighbor between the ages of 10–18, introduce her to the power of community, confidence, and leadership by registering her for one of our FREE Empower Leadership Academies this summer.

We have two exciting opportunities coming up:

• June 25 | Hosted by Anderson Foundation
• July 24 | Sponsored by Medtronic
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These 3-hour academies guide girls through our four pillars: Confidence, Leadership, Resilience, and Mental Wellness, in a safe, inspiring, and interactive environment. It’s the perfect mix of personal growth and fun during their summer break. And for you? It’s an empowering way to give back and help shape the future of leadership, one young woman at a time!

6. Let It Be Easy

Connection doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s sending a quick LinkedIn message, signing up for that event you bookmarked, or introducing yourself to someone new at a gathering. Summer is a great time to be a little braver, a little more curious, and a lot more open to possibility.

So, how will you stay connected this summer? Whether you’re sipping coffee with a new connection, cheering on a pickleball game, or empowering a young girl to find her voice, every action, big or small, builds momentum.

TeamWomen is here to make it easy to stay connected while having fun this summer! We can’t wait to see you out and about in the Twin Cities!