Nathalia Rojas and Maggie Rose Macar, Founders, No Pressure Networking Hallie Geller In a world where deal-making often happens on golf courses or behind closed doors, No Pressure Networking is flipping the script. What started as a conversation between two women who met in an accelerator program has grown into a bold, community-driven initiative that’s rewriting the rules of women’s networking and how founders and investors connect. Meet the founders of No Pressure Networking, Nathalia Rojas and Maggie Rose Macar. In six months, No Pressure Networking has facilitated over $2 million in deal flow, which proves that when you center relationships and intention, impact follows. No Pressure Networking is a women’s networking group intentionally built to bring together investors and founders, not just to exchange business cards, but to forge real relationships that lead to real deals. It’s a vibrant, women-centered space where venture meets vulnerability, capital meets connection, and collaboration leads the way. Networking Without the Pressure Rather than leading new introductions with pitches and business cards, relationship-first networking creates room for real conversations. These environments offer connection over transaction, allowing trust to form organically. This is an important element for women who often invest based on relationships and alignment in values. When networking is done right it’s not just about making introductions, it’s about building confidence, expanding your circle, and finding partners and allies who want to grow with you. And a growing number of women are using these gatherings to do more than connect - they’re writing checks, mentoring founders, joining boards, and redefining what influence looks like. MORE FOR YOU Why Traditional Networking Doesn’t Always Work for Women Many networking groups are designed with outdated models that don’t reflect how women operate in business. Women often report feeling excluded from the informal power structures where deals are made or feeling like they must “perform” to be taken seriously. That’s why intentional networking spaces matter. When inclusion, trust, and accessibility are at the forefront, these spaces offer a different kind of value. Whether it’s a large panel event or a small dinner gathering, women benefit from environments that are curated to foster connection, not competition. Real Conversations That Lead to Real Outcomes A key reason this kind of networking works is because it removes the pressure. Without the need to impress or sell right away, founders and investors alike can get to know each other as people. In these more relaxed, intentional settings, conversations go deeper and often lead to business collaborations, partnerships, or funding opportunities. This isn’t just good for women, it’s good for the entire ecosystem. As more women step into roles as investors and decision-makers, capital starts to flow in new directions. And that ripple effect is how systemic change begins. The Value of Safe, Supportive Spaces These networks are also important for building confidence. Whether you’re new to entrepreneurship or exploring angel investing for the first time, stepping into the unknown can bring up doubt. But when you’re in a space where vulnerability is welcomed and questions are encouraged, you realize you’re not alone. The bottom line is that No Pressure Networking is not just a movement, it’s a model. One that shows you the power of designing for women from the ground up, and one that proves that when you remove the pressure, everything grows faster, including trust, capital, confidence, and impact. Melissa Houston, CPA is the author of Cash Confident: An Entrepreneur’s Guide to Creating a Profitable Business and the founder of She Means Profit. She Means Profit is dedicated to advancing women entrepreneurs with the financial education, strategic coaching, and business resources they need to break financial barriers, scale profitably, and build sustainable wealth. Our mission is to increase the number of women-owned businesses generating $1 million+ in revenue, ensuring that more women achieve financial independence and long-term success. The opinions expressed in this article are not intended to replace any professional or expert accounting and/or tax advice whatsoever. Editorial StandardsReprints & Permissions