Connection Begins With You!
Love Engaging with Like Minded People
Seek Intentional Opportunities to Connect?
Want To Feel Safe, Seen and Heard?
Crave Inspiring Conversations?
Hi, I’m Carlyn Shaw,
Your Authentic Connection Coach, Catalyst
& Founder of Strangers To Friends
Carlyn is absolutely amazing! She is a wonderful source of knowledge on so many topics. She has been a helping hand in making connections with people. The conversations we have had, I left feeling more clarity and knew what direction to go next!
How I Began Living Strangers To Friends
In the Market Crash of 2009, I was let go from my job as a Nurse Recruiter and forced to start over. This was before everyone used Facebook and Instagram was even invented. In fact, I still had a flip phone! I realized that without a job, I also without a Business Card to exchange contact information. But reality, I never used my card when I had it because I didn’t want people emailing me at work. I needed a solution.
Standing in the print shop (2009 style) designing my cards, I had to fill out a form.. Email = check! Phone Number = Check! Job Title. Um… Title? I wasn’t selling or promoting anything. I was simply… me! Questioning what to call myself, I heard the whisper, “You Turn Strangers Into Friends”. As if my soul tapped me on the shoulder, it was impossible to ignore the message or the excitement from the confirmation. Yes, this was me! I was the volunteer, the networker, the team player, the girl who smiled at everyone on the street. I’d never, met a stranger. It felt, aligned. It felt, empowering! It felt… like me. Just like that, I gave myself a new title.. and a new purpose: I turn strangers into friends. I also included on the card a link to donate to my MS Walk in the chance someone would be inspired to support.
Little did I know one sentence — and one web link — would change my life.
The more I showed up without an intention on why I we were meeting and handed my card with confidence and curiosity
the more small word stories and synchronicity I experienced.
Meeting strangers, authentically, without judgement and completely open to possibility, invited the people I met to feel safe to show up authentically with me, too! When learning my only objective was real connection, I took the pressure off of them to be anything other than, themselves. The more people I met, the more cards I exchanged. Not only did my self confidence grow, so did my circle of influence, opportunities and experiences. People I “needed” in life began to appear! And best part, I seemed to show up on time for the people who needed to know me for my stories, too. These connections were not accident. And each person I met, always had a purpose. It was if the Universe looked down and said, “She’s ready to play, let’s send the right people her way!”
Now it’s time for YOU to play and trust the right people will come your way.
When you show up authentically you, you invite others to do so, too.
Join The Movement & Create YOUR Strangers To Friends Experiences
Connection Begins With You
About Strangers To Friends
The Strangers To Friends inspires real action and real connection. Embrace uncertainty and the possibilities of people. The person you least expect is often the next person you are meant to meet.
About Carlyn Shaw
What began as a fun way to exchange contact information in the form of a “connection card”, became Carlyn’s invitation to share her stories, one stranger at a time. Having overcome extreme obstacles in life, Carlyn understand what it means to be in transition. Armed with curiousity and self-confidence, Carlyn navigates life being open to new people and endless possibilities. Carlyn’s journey and wisdom inspires you to create connection and live your most authentic life!
STF Events
Step away from your screen, come out and be seen! Unplug from technology and plug into the people around you! Strangers To Friends is your opportunity to create new possibilities through meant to meet people. Feel super human with other super humans.