For Jack and me, the Expo had marked a full-circle moment, that all the efforts that we were putting towards the company were with value, and will continue to bring value in the future, to clients and us both. It proved that the immeasurable amount of work that Jack had put in growing the company and the last few years of work will only be the beginning of something great. Leaving the Expo, Jack and I debriefed after dismantling our booth, followed up with every lead within 48 hours, and documented the grant spend. If that Thursday proved anything, it’s that momentum compounds. A patch of grass turned into a launchpad, a five-hour event into months of runway, and a $750 “mini” check into the next major milestone for our growing agency. The Expo wasn’t just a showcase; it was a catalyst—and we’re already sprinting toward what comes next.

There were some extremely important takeaways from this event: that to be successful, you must clock in early and leave last. The winding down hours provided some of the day's most impactful conversations, with more sincerity and fewer distractions. Along with this, the in-person conversations were able to provide a multitude of knowledge compared to online interactions, and it is so much more tangible. Furthermore, we were able to track the distinct conversations in the moment and develop a deeper understanding of what individuals want and the needs individuals have based on their specific niches. Lastly, it's important to prioritize the little wins, such as the micro-grant; it's the little successes that make the big wins that much more impactful.

A Note From Matt:

Sitting there in my booth provided me with immeasurable insight into the world of entrepreneurship, as it appeared in reality instead of behind a screen. Screens and slide decks had faces, names, and individual stories. My largest takeaway was how drastically in-person conversations can accelerate talks; without the separation of a screen, the discussion had distinguishable ebbs and flows. There was so much more nuance to dialogue, opening so many more possibilities than any cold call or DM could achieve. I also realized that no matter how small, a win is a win, whether it be an experience, a conversation, or even a micro-grant. I didn’t see it as a capital investment by the program, but more rather a spark that forces focus and gives a sense of urgency. Reframing my perspective completely, especially with the differences between all booths.

My final takeaway is that innovation isn't confined to one sector, that competition drives ingenuity, and that there is no confinement to creativity. From science startups to novelty shot glasses, everyone had a similar creative drive that fuels their everyday lives. Sharpening my resolve and reaffirming my initial goals from when I started with Nextus, ready to translate our services across industries, not confined to comfortable niches. As a whole, the Expo turned abstract ambition into tangible momentum and taught that relationships, resourcefulness, and range are the real growth stimulators. As the day came to a close, I came to one concrete resolution: that momentum can be a choice. Every single handshake, every idea that crossed those tables, and every cent provided to teams that were willing to go the extra mile. Proving that progress belongs to those who want to take it, showing up early, staying late, and continuing to iterate in between.

Nextus Digital Solutions isn’t simply building brands, we are building the practice of turning sparks into flames. There is one sure-fire thing that the expo highlighted for Nextus: that impact is not simply measured in capital, but determination, conviction, and everything in between that makes businesses succeed. The next chapter of Nextus will be our best yet, and this was a massive stepping stone in the correct direction, with a running start and a clear mind. The story is just now getting good…