Natalie Franke is an American author, entrepreneur, and community builder who serves as the Head of Marketing at Flodesk. She is the co-founder of the Rising Tide Society and a prominent advocate for the "community over competition" movement within the independent business sector.
Natalie Franke is an author, entrepreneur, and executive leader recognized for her advocacy within the independent business sector. [1] She currently serves as the Head of Marketing at Flodesk, where she supports a global community of nearly 100,000 small business owners. [1][2] Franke is the co-founder of the Rising Tide Society, a professional organization built on the principle of community over competition that was later acquired by HoneyBook. A USA Today bestselling author, she has published works including Built to Belong and Gutsy, which explore themes of human connection and professional courage. [1][3] Her career began in wedding photography, a field she pursued after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Visual Studies focused on neuroscience and psychology. Franke also hosts the Independent Business Podcast and has been featured in major outlets such as Forbes and the New York Times. She frequently speaks on entrepreneurship and community building, drawing from her personal experiences overcoming significant health and life challenges. [1][4]
Natalie Franke is an entrepreneur, author, and community builder who serves as the Chief Marketing Officer at Flodesk. [1][2][3][5] She graduated magna cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania in 2012 with a degree in Visual Studies. Her early career began in wedding photography. [6] She built a successful multi-six-figure business as a photographer before shifting her focus to community advocacy. During her time as a small business owner, she experienced the isolation common among independent creators. This inspired her to seek a more collaborative professional model for the creative industry.
In 2015, Franke co-founded the Rising Tide Society to foster connection among creative entrepreneurs. The organization popularized the philosophy of community over competition. [7] It grew to include over 400 local chapters and tens of thousands of members worldwide. In 2016, the Rising Tide Society was acquired by the business management platform HoneyBook. Franke transitioned into a leadership role as the Head of Community at HoneyBook. [7] In this capacity, she continued to advocate for the independent workforce and the power of collective support.
Franke later joined Flodesk, an email marketing and design platform, where she currently serves as Chief Marketing Officer. She leads marketing strategy and community initiatives to support nearly 100,000 small businesses. Her work focuses on empowering entrepreneurs to grow their audiences through human-centered marketing and digital tools. [5] She is recognized as a leading voice in the independent economy. She frequently speaks at industry conferences on entrepreneurship and the psychology of community building.
As a USA Today bestselling author, Franke has published two books titled Built to Belong and Gutsy. Her writing explores the importance of connection and the necessity of courage in professional life. Beyond her business achievements, she is a survivor of a benign brain tumor known as an acoustic neuroma. She has been open about her neurosurgery and recovery process to encourage resilience in others. Franke resides in Annapolis, Maryland, with her family. [3][7]
Natalie Franke champions a philosophy of community over competition to empower independent business owners and creative entrepreneurs. [8][9][10] She advocates for an abundance mindset that rejects the isolation often found in solo entrepreneurship. [10] Her mission focuses on democratizing the future of work by providing the infrastructure and support systems necessary for small businesses to thrive. She believes that human connection is a biological necessity and that individuals achieve greater success when they are connected to a collective. Through her leadership, she seeks to overcome the loneliness epidemic by fostering authentic relationships and collaborative growth within the global workforce.
Natalie Franke is a USA Today bestselling author recognized for her books Built to Belong, published in 2021, and Gutsy, released in 2023. In June 2018, she was named a two-time finalist for Woman of the Year by Salesforce and The Hustle. During her career as a wedding photographer, she received five consecutive WeddingWire Bride's Choice Awards from 2010 through 2014. [11] Her work and leadership in the creative community have been featured in major media outlets including the New York Times, Forbes, NPR, and Bustle. In 2023, she was appointed to the inaugural board of the Rising Tide Society as it transitioned into an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. [12] Franke graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2012 with a degree in Visual Studies focused on the science of seeing. She currently serves as the Head of Marketing at Flodesk and previously held the position of Head of Community at HoneyBook.
4. Quitting Corporate: The Value of Community As An Entrepreneur with Natalie Franke | Libsyn
6. Natalie Franke: Facing Hardship Head-On - shannaskidmore.com | Shannaskidmore
7. Built to Belong – Agenda Bookshop | Agendabookshop
8. Meet Natalie Franke: Flodesk University Instructor | Flodesk
9. Built to Belong with Natalie Franke | Amandawarfield
10. Photo Business Breakthroughs: Natalie Franke Q&A | Rangefinderonline
11. Meet Natalie — Natalie Franke | Nataliefranke
12. Rising Tide Society's exciting new beginning as an independent nonprofit | Nataliefranke
13. Natalie Franke | Keynote Speaker | Aaespeakers
15. NATALIE FRANK | Natalie-frank
16. The 2023 Grammy Awards winners list | Latimes
17. For Photographers — Natalie Franke | Nataliefranke
19. Blog — Natalie Franke | Nataliefranke
20. Olivet Announces Spring 2026 Dean’s List | Olivet
21. https://annearundelmoms.com/meet-natalie-franke/ | Annearundelmoms
