Running a fully remote social media management agency means that most of our collaboration happens online. But recently, the #Strella team had a chance to step away from Zoom and Slack to meet in person! With gorgeous weather in Harrisburg, PA, it was the perfect time to come together. Some of the team flew in—while others made the drive—to get together for a few unforgettable days of fun, collaboration, and celebration.
Meet-up Highlights
Our meet-up was filled with meaningful moments that deepened our connections. We kicked things off on Monday with dinner at Sammy’s Italian Restaurant, enjoying delicious food, wine, and laughter.
On Tuesday, we started with a creative team meeting over breakfast. Afterward, we headed to Tres Chic Hair & Spa for a new hairstyle, with everyone leaving feeling refreshed.
For lunch that day, we booked the back room at Cornerstone Coffeehouse for a catered meal and an indoor photo shoot. Since the weather was too good to miss, we stepped outside for a bit between activities to soak up the sunshine.
Tuesday evening brought the highlight of our meet-up—a surprise baby shower for Ella at my house. Disguised as a casual dinner, the celebration brought unexpected joy and left everyone smiling and laughing! (Baby Jeopardy was a hit!)
On Wednesday, it was time to say goodbye as some of the team flew home and others hit the road.
Team Reflections
A common theme emerged as the team reflected on the experience: the in-person connection solidified the relationships we had already built online. While everyone loves the flexibility of remote work, meeting face-to-face deepened our understanding of each other's personalities and work styles—making future collaboration even stronger.
Anna summed it up perfectly: “Collaborating in person made me realize how much faster and smoother things can go. It confirmed that my ideas are valued, and the in-person discussions added a new layer of understanding.”
The sentiment was clear that moments like these remind us of the power of real-life interaction. As Tara Kay humorously put it, “The biggest surprise? Everyone’s height! It was a bit of an adjustment seeing people off-screen, but spending days together gave me a deeper understanding of everyone’s personalities.”
Looking Ahead
Our meet-up was a powerful reminder that while remote work offers many perks, face-to-face interaction adds something special. As Jess said, “I was blown away by the instant connection we all had! It felt like we had been close friends for years.”
We’re already looking forward to the next meet-up. Until then, it’s back to the virtual world—where we continue crafting creative strategies, managing social media accounts, and connecting with clients.
Remote Work: The Pros, Cons, and Realities
This meet-up aligned perfectly with the latest episode of our Untamed Social podcast. In this episode, Ella and I reflect on the differences between in-person and remote work, sharing funny, relatable moments—from multitasking on Zoom to setting boundaries with clients.
Remote work offers flexibility, but it requires discipline. Ella shared how Laney, our EVP, excels at unplugging on weekends, and I talked about managing the challenge of family interruptions while working from home.
