Problem: Despite its noble mission and the potential to significantly impact lives, Friendly Like Me faced considerable challenges in its early stages. The startup struggled with user acquisition, media traction, and market visibility. With a shoestring budget and a leadership team without media training, the path to making a meaningful impact seemed fraught with obstacles. To fulfill its mission and secure its future, FLM needed to rapidly increase its user base, attract media attention, and, crucially, generate its first sales.

Solution: Recognizing the importance of community engagement and the alignment of its mission with the values celebrated during Pride events, Friendly Like Me strategically targeted Pride celebrations across the United States. The goal was to connect with diverse audiences, increase visibility, and demonstrate the platform’s value in making public events more accessible and inclusive.

The team embarked on a targeted pitch to major Pride celebrations, including Atlanta Pride, Charlotte Pride, Queen City Pride, Portland Pride, San Diego Pride, and Denver Pride. These efforts were aimed at creating partnerships that could highlight the importance of accessibility at public events, thereby positioning FLM as an essential service for event organizers and attendees alike.

Results: The targeted approach to engaging with Pride celebrations across the country paid off significantly for Friendly Like Me. The company successfully established connections with several major Pride organizations, which led to media placements highlighting FLM in the context of the cities’ annual Pride celebrations. This strategic move not only increased FLM’s visibility across the nation but also underscored the platform’s commitment to inclusivity and accessibility in the context of significant public events.

Most notably, these efforts culminated in Friendly Like Me making its first-ever sale, marking a significant milestone in the company’s journey. This achievement was not just a financial win but a validation of the platform’s value proposition and its potential to make a tangible difference in making public spaces and events accessible to all. Through strategic engagement and targeted public relations efforts, Friendly Like Me not only overcame its initial challenges but also set the stage for future growth and impact within the community it serves.