Business & Belonging, in one room.
A networking space for people in transition — job seekers, career changers, new city arrivals — who want more than small talk. Rooted in Pinnup’s work on identity, story, and belonging.
The Pinnup Business & Belonging Network brings together job-seekers, professionals, and community members who are building their careers and trying to stay human while they do it.
Instead of collecting business cards and pretending everything is fine, we make space for real conversations about work, identity, and what it means to start again.
Who is the Business & Belonging Network for?
- Job-seekers who are tired of feeling invisible in the hiring process.
- Career-changers trying to make sense of a new path.
- New arrivals to Austin or Houston looking for community and orientation.
- Professionals who want to network without losing their soul.
We center people who feel pushed out, overlooked, or “in between.” If that’s you, this is your room.
What happens at a Business & Belonging event?
- Guided story rounds — short prompts that help you talk about your work, identity, and goals in a deeper way than “So, what do you do?”
- Connection circles — small groups curated around shared interests, industries, or transitions.
- Practical support — résumé swaps, job leads, informal mentoring, and resource sharing.
- Emotional ground — we name the stress and anxiety of job searching, and we don’t pretend everything is fine.
Every event is designed using Narrative Systems Engineering — we don’t leave connection to chance.
How it works
- Format: In-person gatherings built around circles, with occasional virtual sessions.
- Where: Austin (pilot site) and Houston (partnerships and pilot events in progress).
- Who runs it: Facilitators from Pinnup, together with local partners and volunteers.
- Cost: Pay-what-you-can / suggested donation model, so no one is turned away for lack of funds.
We’re starting small and listening closely. As the Network grows, we’ll add more regular gatherings, industry-specific meetups, and mentorship formats.
Why is Pinnup doing this?
Pinnup exists to build belonging for people who feel pushed out or unseen.
Work is one of the loudest places people lose their sense of identity — especially when they are in transition, unemployed, underemployed, or new to a city. The gaps in income and opportunity are also gaps in story, confidence, and belonging.
The Business & Belonging Network is how we bring our story work and identity support directly into the world of jobs, careers, and economic survival. It’s a place to remember that you are a person before you are a title.
For employers, churches, and community partners
We partner with:
- employers who want to support job-seekers and early-career professionals,
- churches and community groups who care about mental health and belonging,
- libraries, coworking spaces, and local hubs that can host gatherings.
Together, we can host Business & Belonging events that support both the emotional and practical sides of work and transition.
To explore a partnership or host an event, email eric@pinnup.org .
Join the Business & Belonging Network
Share a few details below and we’ll keep you updated about upcoming gatherings in Austin, Houston, and beyond. This also helps us understand who we’re building with.
Upcoming events
We’re scheduling pilot gatherings in Austin and exploring partners in Houston. Event details will appear here as they are confirmed.