Oh hey! Welcome to the community.
Last night, I attended an event for women leaders in my community. On a Thursday evening, 375 women gathered to talk about life, leadership, and the paths we’re all carving out. That alone was powerful — taking time out of busy weeks to connect, reflect, and learn from one another.
One of the keynote speakers, Ashley Freeborn, founder of Smash + Tess (and the force behind the Romper Revolution), shared a perspective that deeply resonated with me. Despite building an extraordinarily successful fashion brand, she attributes her success not to strategy decks or perfectly mapped roadmaps, but to something much more human: community and belonging.
She spoke about building connections, listening to her market, and creating something that people genuinely feel a part of. If I wasn’t already aligned with her thinking, that statement would have sealed it.
Because we share that path.
Like Ashley, I don’t come from a traditional background in the industry I lead. I don’t have roots in edtech or software development — yet I lead a software company. And like her, I lead unapologetically with the belief that people and community are the true foundations of success.
That’s not always the norm — especially in companies that have gone through acquisition or rapid growth. But it’s exactly why I’ve continued to support and lead eRezLife. Yes, we have an incredible team that shares these values, but just as importantly, we’re part of a broader community that we learn from every day.
eRezLife was built for community and connection. From our roots in residence life, every decision we make is grounded in what’s best for the communities we serve. We don’t just work in this space — we believe deeply in it. In fact, over 60% of our team has worked in residence life or housing on a university campus. That lived experience shapes everything we do.
We’re proud to focus on what matters most: giving you the tools you need without unnecessary complexity. We understand that your time, energy, and budgets are limited — and that your priority is serving your own communities. Our goal is to support that work, not compete with it.
That might mean we’re not the company hosting extravagant steak dinners. But we are the company that will send you a YETI to keep your coffee warm while you do the important work at your desk.
Because at the end of the day, community and belonging aren’t just buzzwords. They’re the foundation of connection. They’re the reason people engage, stay, and grow.
From fashion brands to student affairs, the principle holds true: when people feel like they belong, everything else follows.
It’s a foundation that has driven our success for the past 18 years — and one that will continue to guide where we go next.
Welcome to our community. We’re glad you’re here.
Curious about our services? Schedule a demo and learn how we can make your processes easier.
