The Gap Presents: The One Where...
I want to officially welcome summer, especially here in Michigan. It's my favorite time of year!
The pools are open, golf outings are filling the calendar, vacations are booked, and kids are finally out of school. For a few short months, it feels like everyone collectively takes their foot off the gas and enjoys a little sunshine.
And honestly, I think we should.
But if you're a business owner, entrepreneur, or leader, there's usually another thought sitting quietly in the back of your mind:
What happens next?
Many businesses naturally slow down during the summer. Conversations get pushed to September. Decisions wait until after vacation. Projects are tabled until fall.
Then suddenly it's October, and everyone is trying to make up for lost time before year-end.
The businesses that enter fall with momentum aren't usually the ones working harder in September.
They're the ones having the right conversations in June.
So while I would never suggest skipping summer, I do think it's worth being intentional about where we invest a small portion of our time and attention.
That's why I'm excited to introduce a new series from The Gap.
The Gap Presents: The One Where...
Twice a month, we'll sit down with founders, business leaders, and problem solvers who are building interesting companies, solving real problems, and creating opportunities for others.
No sales pitch.
No hour-long product demo.
Just a conversation about why they started, what gap they saw in the market, what they're building today, and where they think the opportunities are tomorrow.
Our First Guest: Jeffrey DeMaria, Founder of xMonthly
Jeff and I will spend 30 minutes talking about why he built xMonthly, the opportunities he sees for businesses today, and how partnerships, recurring revenue, and the right systems can help organizations grow without reinventing the wheel every quarter.
We'll discuss:
• Why xMonthly was started • The problem Jeff saw that others missed • How partnerships can create new opportunities for growth • His favorite feature and why it matters • What business leaders should be thinking about as they prepare for the second half of the year
The One Where... Great Solutions Get Discovered
📅 June 30, 2026 🕚 11:00 AM EST ⏱️ 30 Minutes
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/fme-jxki-kqe
Or dial: (US) +1 567-351-1169 PIN: 210 234 834#
Whether you're preparing for your busiest season, looking for new partnerships, or simply curious about what other business owners are building, I hope you'll join us.
Because sometimes the most valuable thing you do this summer isn't attend another meeting.
It's starting a conversation that changes what happens next.
— Kate Watts | Founder, KW Strategy and Co. | Publisher, The Gap