Growth Hacking Near Me

What Are the Odds? Forecasting Without Estimates

**Columbus Business Agility is back!** ([Please give us some feedback](https://tally.so/r/yPbLag) \- what would you like this meetup to be?\) Five years is a long time between meetups. We're picking it back up on **Wednesday, August 26**, and I wanted the first one back to be worth it, so I asked a friend whose work is perfectly relevant and also fascinating. Her talk is more than just your average AI + Agile story. **What Are the Odds? Forecasting Without Estimates** Every executive asks when it'll be done. Most teams answer with a date somebody made up. But your team's board has a better answer sitting in it already. Start with what you can use right away: the throughput your team already produces, translated into the odds you will finish by a given date. No time spent estimating. No points. You can do this by hand, on a whiteboard, with the last few months of finished work. That answer is honest, and it beats the one you're giving now. But a whiteboard is a one-off. It's stale by the next planning conversation, and it's only ever about your team. Leadership wants to know about the whole department. Keeping the answer current is a hard problem, and it's where AI earns its keep. At a trucking insurance company I directed autonomous agents to build what leadership ended up steering by: team views, then the portfolio rollup on top. That was six months of work. Parts of it moved startlingly fast, like restructuring how the company tracked its work, which took an afternoon. The slow parts were the human ones. Agreeing where work actually starts. Getting finish data anyone trusted. Teaching leaders to ask what would move the odds instead of asking for a date. I'll show how the system worked, what came out of it, and the snags we found on the way. Come if you've ever been asked for a date and had no honest way to give it. **About Liz** Liz Rettig is a professional Kanban trainer and the owner of Lil Agile Monster, where she helps teams and portfolios deliver more predictably, and often faster, built on battle-tested Kanban, flow metrics, and forecasting. With or without AI in the mix. **Agenda** 6:00 Arrive. Mingle. Maybe grab a drink and chill. 6:30 Liz's presentation and discussion about forecasting and AI 7:30 (or earlier) more time to connect and discuss **Sponsored By**: ReadySetAgile.com - big thank you for our partnership with John Riley Hope to see you later this month! ([Please give us some feedback](https://tally.so/r/yPbLag) \- what would you like this meetup to be?\)

BrowserStack QA Meetup | Columbus (September 17)

**Hello Columbus!** **The community is buzzing and growing well. We are thrilled to bring our next BrowserStack QA Meetup on Thursday, September 17th!** We are creating a space for deeper insights, meaningful connections, and a vibe you won't want to miss. **What to expect:** * **Connect:** Network with Columbus' top engineering and QA minds. * **Learn:** Real-world tactics and trends you can use immediately. * **Enjoy:** Food, drinks, and great community spirit. **Agenda** * **Concept to Live Site: A Hands-On Cloudflare MVP Workshop, [Bob Fornal](https://www.linkedin.com/in/rfornal/)** **RSVP Essential:** Space is limited, and we want to ensure a great experience for everyone. **RSVP now to secure your spot!** 📍 **Venue:** Leading EDJE, 6515 Longshore Loop, Suite 300, Dublin, OH 43017 📍 **Free Parking:** 6725 Longshore Street, Dublin, OH 43017 📅 **Date & Time:** September 17, 6:00 PM **Stay Connected!** Want to continue the conversation beyond the meetup? Join our **BrowserStack Discord Server** to get updates, connect with fellow QA professionals, and be part of an ongoing discussion. **Don’t miss out—click below to join!** 🔗 [\[](https://discord.gg/6SdCyWTNyW)**[Join the BrowserStack Discord Server](https://discord.gg/6SdCyWTNyW)**[\]](https://discord.gg/6SdCyWTNyW) **A Few Notes:** ✅ This is an **in-person event** ✅ **RSVP does not guarantee a seat** – A confirmation email will be sent one day before the event. **TALK ABSTRACT:** Got an idea and a weekend? This hands-on workshop shows you how to go from a blank repository to a live, working MVP using Cloudflare's edge platform; no server provisioning, no DevOps rabbit holes, no waiting on cold starts. We'll build a real, functioning application from scratch using Cloudflare Workers for compute, D1 for relational data, KV for fast key-value storage, and Pages for the frontend. We'll wire up auth, a database-backed API, and a deployed UI in a single session. Along the way, you'll learn the patterns that make Cloudflare a serious platform for early-stage products: instant global deployment, pay-per-use pricing that costs pennies at MVP scale, zero cold-start latency, and a local dev loop (wrangler dev) that feels as fast as your ideas. By the end, you'll have a deployed, shareable MVP and (more importantly) a reusable mental model and starter template for spinning up your next idea in hours, not weeks. Bring a laptop and a Cloudflare account; we'll do the rest together. Prerequisites: Basic JavaScript/TypeScript familiarity; no prior Cloudflare experience required.

Evolve Elevate (Virtual)

Evolve is all about creating an Authentic Community, Deeper Connections, and Confident Growth. We are a group of entrepreneurial women who connect personally and professionally. We welcome every guest to experience our authentic community with no cliques and no judgment. Come as you are! There's a seat waiting for you. Elevate is an action-oriented connection experience designed to help women entrepreneurs move beyond surface-level networking and into meaningful growth, collaboration, and courageous action. Each session centers around a focused business or personal development topic, followed by intentional breakout discussions that encourage deeper conversations, real relationship-building, and practical next steps. Unlike traditional networking events, Elevate is designed to create momentum. Women are encouraged not only to share ideas, but to actively support one another through accountability, collaboration, brainstorming, and action-based growth. Every meeting is an opportunity to build authentic connections, gain fresh perspective, and leave with a clear action step to implement before the next session. This is a space where women rise together — not through competition or hustle culture, but through encouragement, courage, consistency, and intentional community. \*\*Evolve Women's Collective is a membership based professional women's group. You can find more information at [www.EvolveWomensCollective.com](https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.EvolveWomensNetwork.com&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw0UekYvD4PoVa7WUlFFVHyp). Feel welcome to be our guest anytime! [Join the Call](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://zoom.us/j/7894682064&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw127u1EMKvrsjTOPRaLUJ51)

Unity of Columbus Resource Group for the Homeless – Volunteers Needed

The Unity of Columbus Resource Group for the Homeless is seeking compassionate volunteers who would like to help serve and uplift members of our homeless community. This group is dedicated to sharing kindness, resources, and support with individuals who may be experiencing difficult circumstances. Anyone with a heart for service is welcome to join us as we work together to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Community members are also invited to contribute by bringing helpful items for those in need. Donations of items can be contributed at the meeting and will be distributed to assist members of the homeless community. Please consider joining us and sharing this opportunity with friends, family, or associates who may also wish to help. Learn more about Unity of Columbus at www.unityofcolumbus.org or call (614) 267-4959. Together we can extend compassion, dignity, and support to our community. 💛

Herding AI Centaurs: Managing the AI-Native Development Team

For 15 years, the best chess players were "centaur" players, humans who played with a computer and could beat either humans or computers. That is where we are for software development and technical teams. But how to work well with an AI is not easy or obvious, especially at the team level. AI can help developers produce code faster, but it can also flood teams with slop pull requests, turn off developers' brains, burn thousands of dollars in tokens, and turn you into a hyperactive army of botsitters. This talk is about managing the system around AI-assisted development, not just what model is the most popular this week. We will examine how fast feedback, strict engineering guardrails, and deliberate code reviews can turn AI-generated output into reliable software. You will learn how to manage reluctant adopters, prevent overreliance on AI, and get management buy-in. AI can improve delivery rather than simply increasing the volume of code.

Reiki Practice Circle: All Levels Welcome

Join us at Unity of Columbus for our Weekly Reiki Share, a peaceful and uplifting gathering for connection, healing, and growth. A Reiki Share is a time where Reiki practitioners and students come together to give and receive healing energy in a supportive and welcoming environment. These sessions will be moderated by Columbus Unity Reiki. Reiki is a hands-on energy healing method from Japan that first came to the United States in 1938. Since then, it has grown in popularity and is now widely practiced throughout the West. All levels are welcome, and you do not need to be a practitioner at Unity of Columbus to attend. If you are a Reiki practitioner, a Reiki student, or simply interested in becoming a Reiki student, we warmly invite you to join us. Come practice your healing techniques, learn new approaches, receive healing energy, and connect with a like-minded community in a space of relaxation, renewal, and positive energy.

Men's Group meetup

**The idea for this group is to build a community where men can gather together and build connections & learn and grow from each other.** How we start each meeting is by each of us checking in with our "roses and thorns" aka what are the good things and the bad things going on in your life recently? Then we will go into a topic discussion. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **COMMUNITY AGREEMENTS** \*\*THERE WILL BE A ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY FOR NO-SHOWS. IF YOU RSVP TO A MEETING AND FAIL TO SHOW UP WITHOUT NOTICE, YOU'LL BE REMOVED FROM THE GROUP. THIS IS TO PRESERVE THE INTEGRITY OF THE GROUP\*\* 1. Confidentiality - EVERYTHING that is shared NEVER leaves this space so that this space remains safe and sacred. There is a zero tolerance policy for this. If a man is in violation of this, they will be permanently removed from the group. 2. Non-Judgement - we respect and honor every man’s truth so that we may receive the same from others. While we may not agree on everything, we commit to respecting every man’s perspectives and engaging in honorable discussion with one another. 3. Be committed - honor your commitment to this group and to yourself. If you attend a meeting, please commit yourself fully to the meeting. Also be committed to your own journey. When we fail, we own it & clean it up. 4. Speak from the heart - this is NOT a space to “look good”, have the “right” answers, and have it all together. Relax and know you are not alone. Be exactly who you are within the safety of this space. 5. Be supportive - This means always willing to provide encouragement to your fellow men, encourage action and momentum in each other’s lives.. Be willing to challenge each other. Be willing to hold each other accountable. 6. Participation - what you receive from this community will be a reflection of what you put into it. Period. We ask that you share your perspectives, reflect on others, and give/receive support when and where it’s needed.

Dublin, OH

(P.M.) Field Shoot (Standard Hall - Midpoint Social

Opportunity to gather post-meeting, tell stories (mostly lies), ask questions about burning photography/post-production issues, and ponder the future of our country and planet. Oh, and food... Location and time to be determined based on the specifics of the shoot immediately preceding this event.

August 27th Meetup - Anthony Nedolast - Empowered Dev, BA, and QA with AI

**Important time note:** Please plan on arriving between 5:30 and 6:00 as the elevators lock after 6 and you'll need to message us and we'll need to come get you. The building address is 4450 Bridge Park The entrance is 6620 Mooney St, Suite 400 You will need to scan your ID at the door to get a visitor badge. **Abstract -** From Banned to Embraced: How One Team Empowered Dev, BA, and QA with AI Follow a software team's journey with AI adoption, from a company-wide ban to current production workflows, and how it actually empowers developers, BAs, and QA day-to-day. You'll get the honest wins, the scars, the governance that made it work, and one concrete thing each role can try tomorrow morning. **YouTube Link** TBD

The Unwritten Chapter

**Is there a version of your next chapter you haven't let yourself imagine yet?** Most of us have thought plenty about the practical side of what's ahead — but far fewer of us have actually sat down and thought about the rest of it: who we are without the roles that used to define our days, what we're genuinely curious about, who we want in our corner for this next stretch. I'm hosting **The Unwritten Chapter**, a 60-minute interactive workshop just for members of this group. You'll take a short, private self-assessment (no one sees your score but you), have a couple of real conversations in small groups, and leave with some honest clarity. It's not a lecture. It's not about finances. It's the conversation most of us never get to have out loud. Space is limited so it stays a real conversation, not a big room of strangers.

Walk & Talk About Life's Big Questions

[The Board Walks](http://www.theboardwalks.com/) are for curious people who love deep conversations. If that sounds like you, **bring a thoughtful topic** and join us for a 5-mile walk (10,000+ steps!). **HOW IT WORKS** **Step 1: Bring a topic** Before you arrive, think of **one** topic you want to explore. A question. A thought that's been on your mind. An obsession you want to geek out on. This is your ticket to the event. **Step 2: Circle up & share** We gather in a circle. Your friendly walk host gives a speech to set the tone. Everyone shares: your name, what you're grateful for, and your topic. That's it. 60 seconds. **Step 3: Walk, talk & float** We walk 5 miles. You naturally drift into conversation with 2-3 people at a time, pulled by topics that spark your curiosity. When you're ready to move on, just say: "I'm going to float!" **Step 4: Feel more alive** Two hours flies by. You're back where you started — but you feel different. More alive. More energized. More connected to yourself and others. That's why regulars join 20+ times. *For more details, read our [Orientation Guide.](https://www.theboardwalks.com/orientation)* **HOW TO BRING A GREAT TOPIC** A great topic = something you're genuinely curious about. Recent topics include: * "What are you passionate about right now?" * "What makes a good friend?" * "What's a belief you used to hold that you've completely changed?" * "How do you want to be remembered?" * "What would you do if money wasn't a factor?" Think of your topic like the dish you're bringing to our conversational potluck. If everyone brings an A+ dish (i.e. energizing, uplifting, expansive), we'll all walk away feeling lighter and brighter. **WHAT TO EXPECT** This isn't a fitness event with casual chitchat. It's a walking think tank where we explore life's big questions together, beyond small talk. *If you're looking for light banter or a standard networking event, this probably isn't the right fit.* But if you crave depth, genuine connection, and conversations that make you feel alive? You'll love it here. **FAQ** * Wear casual athletic attire and sneakers. It's a long walk! * We have multiple first-timers at each event. We work hard to create a welcoming, inclusive, clique-free space. * We welcome people of **all** ages, backgrounds, and industries who align with the [intention](https://www.theboardwalks.com/ground-rules) of this space. * Rain or shine, we've been out here nearly every week since July 2022. If the event is cancelled, we'll let you know. * Dogs, babies in strollers, parents, and friends are welcome — please text/email them the event link so they can RSVP and prepare a topic! **LOGISTICS** * If you'll arrive over 10 minutes late, we suggest skipping the event. It's hard to find us once we start walking, and your host can't answer messages during the event. * This walk is designed for everyone to *move together at the same steady pace* (about 20 min/mile). This format works best when the whole group moves in unison. If you have mobility limitations, we kindly encourage you to find an event better suited to your needs. * Read our [Orientation Guide](https://www.theboardwalks.com/orientation) for full details. * If you enjoy the event, send **[this](http://www.theboardwalks.com/)** to a friend or sign up for our **[newsletter](https://theboardwalks.beehiiv.com/)**. We're in multiple cities with more on the way. 🤠👋 **IF YOU WANT TO GO DEEPER...** [The Board](https://stan.store/ellebeecher/p/the-board) is the next step: a high-trust collective for renaissance people devoted to creating, connecting, and building lives that light us up. * This is a global HQ for people who crave big talk, deep connection, and dream collaborations with people across industries. If the walks feel like a spark... The Board is the fire. Apply [here](https://stan.store/ellebeecher/p/the-board).