Building Community in a New Place: My St. Thomas Journey

How to establish your professional presence and build meaningful connections when starting over

In 2016, I made a life-changing decision: I left Detroit, Michigan - the city where I was born and raised, where I had built a reputation organizing 1,000-person domestic violence awareness events through my nonprofit SAFE - and moved to St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Starting over professionally in a new place? It's one of the most challenging and rewarding things you can do. But nobody talks about the real strategies that work when you're building community from scratch, establishing your credibility, and creating meaningful professional relationships in an entirely new environment.

If you're considering a major relocation, starting over professionally, or trying to build community in a new place, this is for you.

Leaving Behind Everything I Had Built

Let me be honest about what I was leaving behind in Detroit. This wasn't just a casual move - it was walking away from years of established professional relationships, community connections, and a reputation that had taken decades to build.

What I left in Detroit:

• A well-established nonprofit organization where I was known and respected
• Professional networks in domestic violence advocacy and community organizing
• Media relationships - I had been featured in Essence, Glamour, and other publications
• Deep community connections from years of service
• My church home since 2004 - over a decade of worship, fellowship, and spiritual community
• The comfort of being "known" for my work and impact
• Family, friends, and personal support systems

Moving to St. Thomas meant starting from zero professionally AND spiritually. No one knew who I was, what I had accomplished, or what value I could bring to the community. I had to rebuild everything - my professional identity, my network, my reputation, my faith community, and my sense of belonging.

The Reality of Starting Over in Paradise

People often romanticize moving to the Caribbean, but the professional reality is complex. St. Thomas is a small island community where relationships matter deeply, trust is earned over time, and proving yourself professionally takes patience and consistency.

The challenges I faced:

• No professional references or connections in the domestic violence field
• Different cultural dynamics and community structures than Detroit
• Limited job market requiring creative networking approaches
• Need to prove my expertise and credibility all over again
• Finding a new church home and spiritual community after leaving my Detroit church family of over a decade
• Building personal relationships and friendships alongside professional ones
• Understanding local needs and how my skills could serve the community

But I also discovered unexpected opportunities. The smaller community meant that your reputation - good or bad - travels fast, which incentivizes authenticity and excellence. There's also something powerful about the tight-knit nature of island life, where people look out for each other in ways that remind you that community support comes in many forms.

Finding My Professional Home

One of my first priorities was finding meaningful work that aligned with my passion for serving domestic violence survivors. I was fortunate to find a full-time position in the domestic violence field here in St. Thomas, which gave me both financial stability and a way to continue the work I felt called to do.

Later, I transitioned to a national domestic violence resource center based in Washington, DC, and I am blessed to work remotely. This opportunity allows me to continue serving survivors on a broader scale while maintaining my home and community connections in St. Thomas.

Working full-time in domestic violence services while building my entrepreneurial ventures has been a balancing act, but it's also been grounding. It keeps me connected to my core mission of supporting survivors while allowing me to explore new ways of serving through my business.

Benefits of my domestic violence work journey:

• Immediate connection to the community I serve locally
• Professional credibility in my area of expertise
• Stable income while building my business
• Continued impact in work that matters to me
• Natural networking within the nonprofit and social services community
• Expanded reach through national resource center work
• Remote work flexibility that supports my entrepreneurial goals

Strategies That Worked for Building Community

Through trial and error, I discovered strategies that actually work for building professional and personal community in a new place. These aren't just networking tips - they're relationship-building approaches that create lasting connections.

1. Show Up Consistently Before You Need Anything

I started attending community events, professional meetups, and local gatherings not to promote myself or ask for favors, but simply to be present and learn about the community. Consistency builds familiarity, and familiarity builds trust.

2. Lead with Service and Create Your Own Community

Instead of immediately trying to establish my credentials, I looked for ways to serve. I volunteered with the women's ministry at my church, but I also took initiative to create community myself. I started hosting monthly luncheons for women at my house - completely free of charge. I would cook and create themed gatherings where strangers could connect. The first one was a vision board party. I was so committed to building community that I would meet women anywhere - I even met a woman at the beauty salon and immediately invited her over. She now lives in New Orleans and we still stay in touch. Many of those strangers became some of my dearest friends. Sometimes building community means creating the spaces you wish existed and opening your heart and home to people you've just met.

3. Learn the Local Culture and Dynamics

Every community has its own rhythm, values, and ways of doing things. I spent time listening, observing, and understanding how St. Thomas operates before trying to make my mark.

4. Build Authentic Relationships, Not Just Professional Contacts

In a small island community, your professional and personal relationships often overlap. I focused on building genuine friendships with people who shared my values, not just collecting business cards.

5. Be Patient with the Process

Building trust and reputation takes time, especially when you're an outsider. I had to resist the urge to rush the process and instead focus on consistent, authentic relationship building.

Weathering the Storms - Literally and Figuratively

My commitment to St. Thomas was tested in ways I never expected. In 2017, Hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated the Virgin Islands, and I faced a choice: leave for somewhere easier, or stay and rebuild alongside my new community.

I chose to stay.

Surviving and rebuilding after the hurricanes deepened my connection to St. Thomas in ways I couldn't have anticipated. Going through that crisis with my neighbors and colleagues created bonds that might have taken years to develop otherwise. It also showed the community that I was committed to being here not just when things were easy, but when they were difficult.

Years later, when I was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer and faced surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, both my Detroit friends and my St. Thomas community rallied around me. Having built authentic relationships in both places meant I had support systems that carried me through one of the most challenging seasons of my life. It was proof that the time and energy I had invested in building community wasn't just about business or convenience - it was about creating the relationships that sustain you when life gets hard.

What these storms taught me about community:

• Shared challenges create deep connections
• How you show up in crisis defines your character
• Community support is bidirectional - you give and receive
• Resilience is built through relationships
• Commitment is proven through staying power
• Authentic relationships transcend distance and time

Launching My Entrepreneurial Journey

By March 2025 - nine years after moving to St. Thomas - I felt ready to officially launch my entrepreneurial journey on my birthday. I started online, building my website and social media presence, and began selling my Dreams and Visions Workbook on Amazon and through my own site, which allows me to reach all the people I've connected with from all over.

The timing wasn't coincidental. I had spent nearly a decade building relationships, establishing my reputation, and understanding my new community. When I was ready to take my business into the physical world, the St. Thomas community welcomed me with open arms.

Island Fashionista Boutique on St. Thomas invited me to have my first book signing event in conjunction with the store's anniversary event - and they still carry copies of my book for sale. The Reading Room bookstore not only stocks my book but also allowed me to host my Mid-Year Reset workshop in their space, which was a huge success. Now I'm replicating that workshop virtually on July 29, free of charge, so people near and far can participate.

My book has also expanded to St. Croix (another island in the U.S. Virgin Islands), where it's sold at the Undercover Bookstore, and I'm planning a free in-person workshop on the 30-day action plan on St. John (the third main island in the USVI). The community support across all three islands has been incredible.

How community building supported my business launch:

• Local businesses like Island Fashionista Boutique hosting my first book signing
• The Reading Room bookstore stocking my book and hosting my Mid-Year Reset workshop
• Expansion across the U.S. Virgin Islands to St. Croix through the Undercover Bookstore
• Community members who knew and trusted me from years of relationship building
• Professional credibility from my domestic violence work
• Personal connections from monthly luncheons and women's ministry
• Understanding of local needs and preferences
• Network of supporters who wanted to see me succeed
• Online reach to connections made throughout my journey

Practical Tips for Building Community in a New Place

If you're starting over professionally in a new location, here are the strategies that made the biggest difference for me:

Professional Strategies:

• Find work that aligns with your values: It's easier to build community when you're doing work that matters to you
• Join professional organizations: Even if they're different from what you knew before
• Volunteer your expertise: Offer your skills to local nonprofits or community initiatives
• Attend networking events consistently: Show up regularly, even when you don't feel like it
• Be genuinely curious about local challenges: Understand how your skills can serve your new community

Personal and Spiritual Strategies:

• Visit different churches to find your spiritual home: Don't rush this decision - finding the right faith community takes time
• Say yes to social invitations: Even when you're tired or would rather stay home
• Explore local culture and traditions: Show genuine interest in your new home
• Be patient with yourself: Building community takes longer than you think it should
• Stay open to unexpected friendships: Your community might look different than you expected
• Commit to staying through challenges: Don't run at the first sign of difficulty

Mindset Strategies:

• Release your old identity gradually: You're not just who you were in your old place
• Embrace being a beginner: There's freedom in starting fresh
• Focus on contribution over recognition: What can you give before what you can get
• Trust the process: Community building happens in seasons, not days

The Long Game of Community Building

Looking back on nearly a decade in St. Thomas, I can see that every relationship I built, every event I attended, every way I showed up for my community was an investment in my future - both personal and professional.

My business launch wasn't just about one event. It was about a community that had watched me grow, seen me weather storms (literally), and trusted me to serve them in new ways. The local boutiques that stock my book know me as someone who has been consistently present in the community. The bookstore that hosted my workshop recognized me from my years of community involvement. My online reach connects me with people from Detroit, St. Thomas, and everywhere in between.

Building community in a new place isn't just about networking - it's about becoming part of the fabric of where you live. It's about showing up not just when you need something, but when your community needs you.

What This Means for Your Journey

If you're considering a major move, starting over professionally, or trying to build community in a new place, remember that it's a marathon, not a sprint. The relationships you build, the trust you earn, and the community you create will support not just your business dreams, but your entire life.

Key takeaways:

• Community building takes time - be patient with the process
• Consistency matters more than perfection
• Serve before you sell
• Authentic relationships surpass transactional networking
• Your commitment will be tested - plan to stay through challenges
• Small communities offer unique opportunities if you invest in them
• Supporting local businesses creates mutual opportunities for growth

Your Turn

Whether you're planning a move, starting over professionally, or just trying to build deeper community where you are, remember that every meaningful relationship starts with showing up authentically and consistently.

Are you building community in a new place? What's been your biggest challenge or surprise? I'd love to hear your story in the comments below.

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