The idea was simple: create a space where people could meet, socialize, and build real connections close to home.
That idea came from personal experience.
When I first moved to Massachusetts from outside the US, I had never even visited the state before. I knew absolutely no one. The culture shock was real, and I quickly realized how difficult it could be to build a social life from scratch.
I eventually discovered an online platform for finding local groups and started attending events. I met so many people who were new to the area, didn't know many people, had friends who had moved away, or were simply looking for connections. Knowing I wasn't the only one feeling that way, and meeting people who understood what I was experiencing, immediately made me feel less alone and more connected.
When I later moved to Waltham, I ran into a different version of the same problem. There weren't many local opportunities for the kind of social connection I was looking for, and getting into Boston regularly wasn't practical.
After months of complaining about it, someone finally asked me:
“Who exactly can make these groups you keep talking about? Anybody?”
I remember saying, “I suppose…”
They replied:
“Then make your own and stop complaining there are none where you are for you to go to.”
And I suppose you know what happened next. 😂
It didn't happen overnight. I was extremely shy and I'm an introvert, and I had no idea what I was doing. Eventually, though, I took the leap and started the group.
I learned through trial and error, through experience, and from organizer mentors who at one point I found and then helped me along the way. Nearly a decade later, I'm still learning from every event, every experience, and the people who are in this community.
And that's how FBB began.
FBB was originally created to give people a place to meet others, socialize, and build friendships close to home.
Over the years, the community grew substantially. At its largest, FBB became a community of around 1,300 members.