You’re So Fly: Galina Vander Meer

This month, we’re excited to highlight a member who is making meaningful waves in the Winston-Salem community. Galina Vander Meer is the founder of Winston Girls Club, a growing community that creates intentional spaces for women to connect, build friendships, and truly feel supported. She’s also the owner of Galina + Co, where she leads a team of virtual assistants helping business owners thrive behind the scenes. Her work is rooted in connection, empowerment, and heart. Keep reading to learn more about her journey, her passion for building community, and the impact she hopes to leave on the city she loves.

Share a Bit About Yourself

My name is Galina Vander Meer. I run Winston Girls Club, where I host monthly events for women in and around Winston-Salem. I am also an online business manager. I run my own company, Galina + Co, where I have four virtual assistants. We help business owners in the backend of their businesses with project management, launches, and just day-to-day tasks that can be tedious.

What Do You Think Winston-Salem Gains When People Have More Spaces to Connect and Support Each Other?

Honestly, everything! When women have spaces to genuinely connect, our entire community becomes stronger and more vibrant. I’ve seen firsthand how these connections create this beautiful ripple effect with women supporting each other’s businesses, collaborating on projects, and showing up for one another during both the celebrations and the tough times.

Winston-Salem already has such a kind and caring spirit, and when we create intentional spaces for connection, we’re amplifying what makes our city so special. Plus, let’s be real—when women feel supported and connected, we show up differently in every area of our lives, and that positive energy spreads throughout our whole community!

What’s One Moment That Reminded You Why Creating Connection Matters?

Oh my goodness, this happens more often than you’d think, and it gets me EVERY time! There’s nothing quite like watching an event wrap up and seeing two (or sometimes a whole group!) of women exchanging phone numbers, making plans to grab coffee, or already talking about hanging out again. My heart just bursts!

That moment when someone walks in nervous and walks out with a potential new friend? That’s the magic right there. Making friends as an adult is SO hard, and knowing that Winston Girls Club is creating that safe, welcoming space where genuine friendships can bloom reminds me exactly why I do this. Those exchanged numbers represent the beginning of something special, and I get to witness it happen. It’s the best!

In What Ways Has Being Part of a Coworking Community Like Flywheel Influenced How You Lead and Grow Winston Girls Club?

Flywheel has been such a game-changer for Winston Girls Club! Having that dedicated space to work has been amazing for my focus. When I’m there, I’m IN it, and I can really give my best energy to planning events and growing the community.

But beyond the productivity boost, being part of Flywheel has shown me the power of bringing people together in shared spaces. I’ve connected with so many incredible locals there, and it’s reminded me that when you create the right environment, meaningful relationships just naturally happen. That’s exactly what I wanted to create with Winston Girls Club!

Flywheel has also connected me with other entrepreneurs and community builders who ‘get it,’ and that support and inspiration have been invaluable as I continue to grow WGC.

When You Imagine the Future of Winston Girls Club, What Kind of Impact Do You Hope It Leaves on the City and the Women Who Have Found a Community There?

Oh, I’m SO excited about what’s ahead! In the next few months, we’re launching our WGC membership program, which will give members access to exclusive events, first dibs on tickets, discounts, AND special perks at local businesses (which I’m especially thrilled about because supporting our local community is so important to me!).

But beyond the logistics, my biggest dream is that Winston Girls Club becomes a place where no woman in our area ever has to feel like she doesn’t have a community. I want women to look back on their time with WGC and remember the friendships they made, the support they received, and how welcomed they felt from day one.

I hope we continue to embody that kind, caring spirit that makes Winston-Salem so special, and that every woman who walks through ‘our doors’—whether it’s her first event or her fiftieth—feels like she belongs. Because she does!

Be sure to follow Winston Girls Club to stay up-to-date on events!

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