Today, e want to share the story behind the compelling mission that drives us: helping people make better social connections at work and in their neighborhoods.

In an increasingly interconnected world, it may seem paradoxical that loneliness and disconnection continue to plague individuals and communities. However, we recognized the pressing need to address this issue head-on and create meaningful solutions. Drawing inspiration from the alarming research on the devastating impact of social isolation, we embarked on a journey to build a company dedicated to fostering connection, empathy, and belonging. Join us as we delve into the motivations, challenges, and triumphs that have shaped our mission to combat social isolation and build bridges of connection. Together, let's explore the transformative power of human connection and how we can make a difference in the lives of those affected by this silent epidemic.

Here's a recap of what we found in those early days of starting (what would ultimately become) SoGoMeet.

Some of the data is absolutely mind-blowing.  

Declining social engagement is a growing problem. In the last fifty years, the number of people who say they are lonely has more than doubled. The time we spend socializing daily has dropped 70% in the last 15 years. And, there's no escape: wealthy people report the fewest minutes socially engaged of any group studied (and that’s not because of all the time in private jets ✈️, because “wealthy” in these studies is considered above $100k 🤑 in annual family income).

Sources: New York Times, Recent Study, NCBI

It’s bad for your career.  A study by leaders at CSU and Wharton found that loneliness reduces task performance, limits creativity, and impairs other aspects of executive function, such as reasoning and decision-making. Folks, it’s not just rank-and-file employees: half of the CEOs report feeling lonely at work.  For Gen Z and remote work, the hard data isn’t out yet, but one survey found that 72% of workers noted that they can’t socialize enough when they’re remote.

Sources: CSU-Wharton Study, Harvard Business Review - Saparito, Harvard Business Review - Murthy, Airspeed Study

It’s bad for society. A study projected that, among 200 million people, white Americans have 90 times more white friends than black, Asian, or Hispanic friends.  We also learned that this challenge has been going on for a while, and it was building even before the pandemic. The challenge is even more prevalent within immigrant and LGBT populations. We're all in this together.

Sources: The Atlantic, The Economist, Washington Post, CDC

It’s terrible for your health. Studies have found that loneliness can reduce your lifespan as much as smoking 15 cigarettes daily. The stats for the CDC are alarming: a 29% increased risk of heart disease, a 32% increased risk of stroke, and a 57% increased risk of emergency department visits.  There ain't none of us on a Peloton 🚴‍♀️ who bargained for that!

Sources: PLOS Medicine Study, CDC

If Jace is being honest... At first, he wanted to find a replacement for the end-of-week “Friday Cheers” 🍻 tradition we had at Cappex and PerkSpot pre-pandemic. We had no idea it would lead to something so much bigger! 🤗

Fostering a more connected life at work and in our neighborhoods is not only beneficial for our personal well-being but also for the collective health of our communities. By embracing empathy, communication, and genuine human connection, we have the power to create transformative change in our daily interactions. Let's make a conscious effort to reach out, engage with our colleagues, and cultivate a sense of camaraderie within our work environments. Moreover, let's extend our efforts beyond the workplace and actively participate in our neighborhoods, building relationships with our neighbors and forging a sense of belonging. Together, we can create vibrant, supportive communities that thrive on meaningful connections. So, let's take the first step towards a more connected life today, inspiring others to do the same. Together, we can build a world where everyone experiences the warmth and joy of better connections to others.

Photo by Ishan Seefromthesky