574 Degrees of Connection: Cat Edmonds on the Edge of Technology, Community and Bringing People Together

This week host Susan Ford sits down with Cat Edmonds, Co-Founder of Connect 574, an organization aiming to boost social connections in the South Bend region. Cat discusses the origins of Connect 574, born out of a recognizably common issue for many adults: making friends and finding activities to engage with locally. The platform offers monthly events and digital tools ensuring newcomers, and locals alike, can develop social networks in South Bend.Listen as Susan and Cat discuss how Connect 574 fosters community and combats loneliness through engaging events, leveraging technology, and partnering with corporations to enhance social engagement.QUOTES"If we want South Bend to be a thriving place to live, work, and play, people have to have friends.” -Cat Edmonds [01:35]TIMESTAMPS(00:00) Building Community Connections in South Bend(05:20) Building a Passion Project with an Entrepreneurial Operating System(08:33) Creating Connections Through Structured Social Events(16:44) Kat Edmonds' Journey From Camp Fun to Startup Moxie(20:27) Developing Connect 574's Platform for Long-Term Engagement(25:03) Implementing EOS Concepts for Startup Success(32:52) Funding Strategies for Early-Stage Startups(35:44) Corporate Partnerships and Social Engagement for Employee RetentionRESOURCESConnect 574: https://connect574.com/ CONTACTMartin Mechtenberg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-mechtenberg-515a648/ Susan Ford: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-howard-ford-8446441/ Mentioned in this episode:Proof of Concept Funding for South Bend & Elkhart RegionProof of Concept Fund