Every week, administrative professionals from across the country log into ASAP Circle’s Coffee Breaks to exchange ideas, ask questions, and connect with peers who understand the unique challenges of the profession. For one group of members in the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia region, those conversations became something much bigger.
What started as familiar faces on a computer screen has grown into brunches, coffee meetups, winery visits, career celebrations, and genuine friendships that continue long after the weekly 30-minute conversations end.
It’s a reminder that sometimes the most meaningful professional relationships begin with a simple conversation.
Turning Virtual Conversations Into Something More
For many administrative professionals, the path to ASAP Circle begins the same way: looking for connection.
Emily Uzzle, who transitioned into the administrative profession in 2024 after a career in retail management, found herself as the sole admin at her company. Looking for community and opportunities to grow, she joined ASAP and quickly became a regular during the organization’s weekly Coffee Break conversations.
“Through those conversations, I connected with Rachael, who introduced me to April and Catherine,” Uzzle said. “After a few virtual meetings, we discovered we shared the same goal: to build a stronger local admin community and support one another’s professional growth.”
As the weekly conversations became familiar, the idea of meeting in person felt like a natural next step.
During one Coffee Break, ASAP Circle Community Manager Nakia Whittaker encouraged members to consider bringing their conversations offline. Soon after, interest began building around a local DMV meetup, and several members volunteered to help organize it.
Rachael Snider still remembers that first planning email.
“When Rachael circulated an email reminder, she included an inquiry asking if anyone was interested in being part of the planning team,” recalled April Blevins. “I sent my reply, and we have all been thick as thieves ever since.”
Today, the planning committee includes administrative professionals from across Virginia, with meetup attendees traveling from as far as Baltimore, Richmond, Culpeper, Northern Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Despite the distance, members have continued gathering roughly every two months to strengthen the relationships they first built online.
Meeting Like Old Friends
For many people, meeting online acquaintances in person can feel uncertain. For this group, it felt surprisingly natural.
“Meeting face-to-face after only connecting virtually was exciting and truly meaningful,” said Catherine Williams. “It felt like meeting friends I already knew.”
Emily Uzzle shared a similar experience, explaining that the transition from online conversations to in-person gatherings was “seamless” because the trust and rapport had already been built through regular Coffee Break discussions.
Even April Blevins, who joined the planning committee after the others, quickly felt at home.
“I wasn’t sure how I would fit in,” she admitted. “But that feeling was quickly left behind.”
More Than Networking
Although the group has gathered for coffee, brunch, bowling, winery visits, and board game afternoons, members say the meetups have become much more than social outings.
Career advice naturally finds its way into nearly every conversation. Members celebrate certifications and new jobs. They offer résumé feedback, discuss workplace challenges, exchange ideas, and encourage one another through difficult moments.
“We’ve prepared conversation prompts,” Uzzle said, “but they’re rarely needed because the dialogue flows so naturally.” In fact, she recalled one board game meetup where the group became so engaged in conversation that they never even opened the games.
Those conversations have also created opportunities to celebrate one another’s successes.
One of Snider’s favorite memories came during a spring brunch when the group celebrated Uzzle receiving not one—but two—job offers after months of searching.
“It was such a proud moment for all of us,” Snider said. “Seeing someone in our group truly thriving made it even more meaningful.”
For administrative professionals who often work independently or as the only admin within their organization, having peers who understand the role can make a meaningful difference.
“Taking conversations offline has allowed the freedom to speak about troubling work relationships, seek feedback, offer résumé help, and support one another,” Blevins said.
A Community That Continues to Grow
What began with a handful of members has steadily expanded.
The group’s first meetup welcomed just one attendee outside of the planning committee. Recent gatherings have drawn nearly ten administrative professionals, and organizers hope to continue growing while balancing social connection with professional development.
This summer, they’re planning both a virtual meetup and an in-person picnic at Virginia’s Lake Anna, continuing a tradition of creating welcoming spaces where administrative professionals can connect, recharge, and support one another.
The organizers also hope to begin incorporating more structured professional development into future gatherings while preserving the relaxed atmosphere that has made the community so successful.
It Starts With One Conversation
Administrative professionals spend much of their careers supporting executives, teams, and organizations. Having a space where they can receive that same encouragement from people who understand the profession is something many say they didn’t realize they were missing.
“Administrative professionals often don’t have built-in peer groups within their own organizations,” Blevins reflected. “Having a space where you can connect with others who truly understand the day-to-day challenges makes a huge difference. More than anything, it reminds you that you’re not navigating your career alone.”
That sentiment may best capture what makes ASAP Circle different. While members certainly exchange ideas and professional advice, they also build something less tangible but equally valuable: a genuine sense of belonging.
Whether through weekly Coffee Breaks, local meetups, or the conversations happening every day inside ASAP Circle, members continue discovering that some of the profession’s most valuable resources aren’t just articles, webinars, or certifications—they’re each other.
