Holaaa Me&Co. Fam 👋,

A new year always carries a certain kind of quiet energy — less urgency, more intention. It’s the moment where founders stop reacting and start choosing what (and who) they’re building toward. And at Me&Co., that pause matters just as much as the plan.

This first newsletter of 2026 is all about alignment: where to invest your energy, which opportunities are actually worth your time, and how to set up systems that support you as you grow. From funding opportunities and accelerator programs, to client wins, fresh reflections, and new tools to help you show up with clarity, we’re bringing you what matters right now.

Keep reading for:​
💰 Funding + accelerator opportunities to watch
🍹 A Coquito Conmigo recap (and heartfelt thank you)
🌿 A powerful client win with Texas State University
🤖 The latest AI updates (with founder-first takes)
🛠️ Simple marketing resets to start 2026 strong

Let’s ease into the year with intention. ⤵️

🎟️ Featured Events & Opportunities to Kick Off 2026

🌟 State of Latino Entrepreneurship (SOLE) Summit & Gala — Stanford

📅 March 25, 2026​
📍 Stanford Graduate School of Business, CA

Hosted by Latino Business Action Network in collaboration with Stanford Graduate School of Business, the SOLE Summit is one of the most impactful national gatherings for Latino entrepreneurs.

What to expect:

• 📊 New research from the Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative (SLEI)
• 🎤 Panels + conversations on growth, capital access, and cash flow
• 🤝 Networking & Business Expo with founders, investors, and leaders
• 🎉 Evening Gala celebrating Latino entrepreneurship

✨ Surprise! Melody will be there! If you’re attending and want to explore marketing support, partnerships, or project alignment, let’s connect.
👉 Email Melody:melody@weareme.co

🚀 Academia de Mujer Empresaria — Kauffman FastTrac (Puerto Rico)

A powerful opportunity for early-stage founders ready to turn ideas into real businesses.

Program Overview

• 🗓️ 8-week program
• 💻 Weekly virtual sessions (2 hrs)
• 🤝 Weekly 1:1 consulting + office hours
• 📍 2 in-person Saturdays in San Juan, PR
• 📈 Step-by-step business plan development
• 🌱 Networking + access to Mujer Capital
• 📜 Certificate upon completion

Who it’s for:​
Entrepreneurs with an idea or early-stage business seeking structure, guidance, and mentorship.

🔍 New Year, Clearer Marketing

Before chasing new trends, start with alignment. Here are three simple audits to set the tone for your marketing in 2026:

🧠 1. Mindset Audit — Are you creating from pressure or purpose?

Ask yourself:

• Am I posting because I should — or because I know why?
• Does my content reflect where my business is going this year?

🛠️ 2. Practical Audit — Does your system actually support you?

Check:

• Where do ideas live?
• How are posts tracked?
• What’s falling through the cracks?

🔥 3. Trend Check — What’s worth carrying into 2026?

Not every trend deserves your energy. Focus on:

• Content that builds trust, not just reach
• Systems that help you repurpose, not reinvent weekly

👉 Want help putting this into practice? Our digital tools were built for exactly this kind of reset.

📈 Work Spotlight: Texas State University (TXSU)

We’re proud to share a major milestone from our work with Texas State University’s SCALEUP program 🎓

Our support helped extend the program’s reach and strengthen its impact, leading to Melody’s formal recognition in the final program report for her marketing contributions.

Highlights:

• 96% of participants reported being satisfied with the program.
• 95% of participants would recommend LIFT to other business owners.
• The share of participants rating their understanding of how to use social media for business growth as “good” or “expert" rose — from 5% to 97% — an increase of 92%.

🔗 Read the program outcomes here: LIFT Program Outcomes Report 2026.pdf​

This is exactly the kind of work we love — supporting founder-focused programs with marketing that actually moves the needle. If you're looking for support like this, reach out to us today!

🤖 The 2026 Growth Blueprint (No Buzzwords Allowed)

We’re officially entering a new era of growth — and it has way less to do with chasing tools, trends, or “AI hacks” than the internet wants you to believe.

In Melody’s latest blog post, she breaks down what’s actually changing in marketing as we head into 2026 — and what founders really need to focus on if they want growth that feels lighter, clearer, and sustainable.

Here’s a peek at what she covers:

✨ Faster ≠ Better: More tools don’t fix messy systems. Speed comes from clarity, not stacking software.

🤝 AI Isn’t Just a Tool Anymore: AI is starting to act like a team member, but only if your workflows make sense first. Redesign before you automate.

🔍 Search Is About Being the Answer: Visibility now comes from specificity: lived experience, point of view, and founder perspective. Not generic content.

🎥 Polished Is Out. Real Wins: Behind-the-scenes beats highlight reels. Founder-led stories outperform corporate scripts every time.

📊 Marketing Is Becoming a Managed Function: The old “deliverables-only” agency model is fading. Strategy, ownership, and outcomes matter more than ever.

🎭 Depth + Entertainment Can Coexist: Short-form grabs attention. Long-form builds trust. The strongest brands do both, and from one core idea.

The big takeaway? The goal for 2026 isn’t “using AI.” It’s building a business that feels lighter to run, uses tech intentionally, and stays deeply human-first. Go steal the blueprint (and rethink your 2026 strategy).👇

🍹 Coquito Conmigo 2025 — Recap & Gracias 💙

Before we move fully into 2026, we want to pause and say thank you.

Our annual Coquito Conmigo gathering reminded us why we do this work: community over perfection, connection over competition. And we're overjoyed to have raised $1,000 in support of Puerto Rican culture and artists!

Thank you to everyone who showed up, donated, shared, or supported in spirit. This community means everything to us. 🫶🏽

✍️ Resources to Fuel You + Your Business

Because the best founders know: you can’t pour from an empty cup. 🌿 This month, we’re helping you fill both — with resources for your personal growth and your business expansion.

🌿 For the Founder: Stay Grounded + Inspired

✨ Equinox Membership
​Access iconic gyms, luxury amenities, and unlimited Signature Classes. It’s been a game-changer for my energy + routine. 👉Start your membership here​

💼 Amex Biz Card Love
​Been loving the Amex Blue Business cash card—flexible points + perks that make managing expenses way easier. 👉 Check it out here.

🧘‍♀️ ClassPass = Sanity Saver
​From quick workouts to massages, ClassPass is my go-to for stress relief + wellness breaks. Use my link for 20 bonus credits. 👉 Get your ClassPass perks​

🏦 Ally Bank Bonus
​If you’re ready to make your money work harder for you, I’ve got a little bonus waiting. Open an Ally High-Yield Savings Account using my link and get $50 once it’s funded (and so will I 🙌🏽). 👉 Get your $50 here​

📧 Google Workspace (Founder Essential)​
Email, docs, calendar, and file storage—all in one place. Save on your first year of Google Workspace using our referral link.
👉 Save on Google Workspace​

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​💼 For the Business: Grants + Growth Opportunities

🔹 Trust in Practice Awards [$100K–$1M] — Funding for nonprofit organizations advancing trust-based solutions.
📅 Apply by Jan 30: 👉 Apply here​

🔹 EmpowHer Grant – Winter 2026 [$50K] — For women-owned social impact businesses.
📅 Apply by Jan 30: 👉 Apply here​

🔹 GM on Main Street Grant [$300K total] — For nonprofits focused on infrastructure and community-based impact.
📅 Apply by Feb 13: 👉 Apply here​

🔹 Small Business Hero Program (Intuit QuickBooks) [$20K] — Supporting small businesses demonstrating courage, integrity, and impact.
📅 Apply by Feb 14: 👉 Apply here​

🔹 Unity for Humanity Grant 2026 [$100K] — For founders building interactive games or XR experiences with social impact.
📅 Apply by Feb 20: 👉 Apply here​

🔹 Catalyst by CTIA Wireless Foundation [$100K] — For organizations ready to scale social impact through connectivity.
📅 Apply by Feb 24: 👉 Apply here​

🔹 Tech for an Equitable Future – Braze Product Grant — 12 months of free access to the Braze customer engagement platform.
📅 Rolling applications: 👉 Learn more​

🔹 LA County Small Business Mobility Fund [$5K–$10K] — Launch grants for LA County small businesses expanding or getting started.
📅 Open now: 👉 Apply here​

Loving this resource section? 💌 Share the love—forward this email to a friend who could use a little boost! ✨

📲 Reflections, Intentions & What’s Next

Our socials have been a space for reflection, intention-setting, and honest conversations about what it really means to build a business with care. Here are three posts that anchored our transition from 2025 into 2026. 👇🏽

✨ Closing 2025 with Gratitude​
As the year wrapped, we paused to acknowledge the work, partnerships, and systems we quietly built behind the scenes. A reminder that rest, reflection, and alignment are just as important as momentum.
👉 View the 2025 recap post​

🌱 2026 Is About Depth, Not Noise​
Less reacting. More building. This post shares what we’re leaning into this year — deeper support, more intentional community moments, and expanded work with founder-focused organizations doing meaningful work.
👉 Read our 2026 intentions​

🤍 A Founder’s Reflection from Melody​
Melody shares a candid look back at her first full year going all in as a founder — the wins, the challenges, and the mindset shifts that shaped Me&Co. This one’s for anyone building in real time.
👉 Read the LinkedIn reflection​

💬 Want more behind-the-scenes, founder-friendly insights and honest marketing conversations? Come hang with us on Instagram + LinkedIn.

🤝 Let's Connect

Thank you for being here — for reading, reflecting, and building alongside us as we step into a new year together. January isn’t about doing more; it’s about doing what matters. And we’re deeply grateful for the founders, creators, and organizations who trust Me&Co. to be part of that journey.

At Me&Co., our mission stays the same:​
✨ Amplify the work of founders
✨ Support organizations serving entrepreneurs
✨ Build marketing systems that feel clean, human, and sustainable

If you’re craving more clarity in your content…
If your program or organization needs hands-on marketing support…
If you’re ready for a partner who actually executes, not just advises…

We’re here, and we’d love to build with you.

Thank you for being part of the Me&Co. familia. Here’s to starting 2026 grounded, aligned, and intentional about what we’re growing next. 🌱✨

Abrazos & Adelante!

Me&Co. Team

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