Inspired by a global innovation mindset—and a region ready to connect in a whole new way.
“We’ve found one of the most important keys to unlock doors has been a simple question: Why?”
— Andy Jassy, CEO of Amazon, 2024 Shareholder Letter released April 10, 2025
What if the most transformative thing we could do for our businesses, institutions, and community wasn’t a major investment or groundbreaking technology?
What if it started with a single question?
The “Why” Quotient: How Amazon Thinks Differently—and How We Can Too
Amazon’s shareholder letter this year doesn’t just recount financials—it offers a masterclass in innovation culture. CEO Andy Jassy outlines principles that drive Amazon forward, and at the heart of it is a mindset: ask “Why?” and “Why not?” constantly.
Let’s break down three of Amazon’s key concepts—and how they apply right here in Central Pennsylvania:
- The Why Quotient
Amazon promotes thinkers who challenge the status quo.
Local parallel: Are we encouraging curiosity-driven leadership—or just execution? - Two-Way vs. One-Way Doors
Some decisions are reversible. Some are not. The best innovators know the difference.
Local parallel: Are we treating every idea as final—or are we creating room to test, iterate, and evolve? - Mental Locks, Not Physical Ones
Barriers to progress often live in outdated assumptions.
Local parallel: Too often, what we call strategy is simply inertia in disguise.
Amazon’s evolution didn’t begin with better software. It began with better questions. And now, here in Happy Valley, we’re asking our own.
From Publisher to Platform: A Mindset Shift in Motion
For four years, HappyValleyIndustry.com has served as the region’s weekly B2B eletters of record—publishing 200+ e-letters, featuring 600 stories building a subscriber base of over 4,600, and spotlighting economic momentum across Central PA. Some criticize that we cheerlead way too much. Our Gotcha approach was catching orgs and businesses doing good things celebrating just how darn hard it is to try to solve a problem for a customer base knowing reality is 9 out of 10 businesses fail.
But we heard something again and again from business owners, alumni, and residents alike:
“I don’t know what’s happening around here anymore.” Lot of information but missing the meaning.
“Where do I go to find events, opportunities, or news that actually matters to me?”
The region isn’t disconnected. It’s fragmented.
So, we’re not just launching a new platform. We’re evolving into a two-sided digital town hall—for one of the most enthusiastic, overlooked, and high-potential communities in the country.
Introducing Connect Happy Valley– Launching Next Month
Built on four years of insights, and dozens of stakeholder conversations, this new platform is designed to:
- Reconnect local businesses with the people who live, work, and invest here.
- Rebuild a shared sense of identity and purpose across sectors.
- Redefine what “local media” means in the digital age.
It’s powered by some cool technology and inspired by the best of:
- Reddit (for vibrant forums)
- LinkedIn (for business directories)
- Morning Brew (for curated content)
- Instagram (for visual storytelling)
- Nextdoor (for hyperlocal connection)
All in one. (yes sure, I love your “will see” roll of your eyes reaction 😊)
A Platform with Purpose: Three Pillars
This isn’t just a content site. It’s infrastructure for a stronger, smarter, more connected region—built around:
- Business
Talent pipelines, economic development, innovation hubs, entrepreneurs. - Entertainment
Events, sports, food, arts, culture—the things that make Happy Valley magnetic. - The Commons
Nonprofits, local government, schools, parks—where our shared civic life unfolds.
These aren’t categories. They’re how we live here.
Who It’s For
This platform is being built for an information hungry segment of:
- 166,000+ residents who want to be informed and involved.
- 700,000+ Penn State alumni who care deeply about this region.
- 100,000+ students, retirees, parents, and fans who come, go, and return.
- The businesses and organizations that drive our economy forward.
Why Now?
Since 2005, nearly 3,000 local newspapers have vanished. National platforms took our attention—but offered nothing to replace the local front porch. We asked:
What if Reddit, LinkedIn, and TripAdvisor all lived here?
What if Morning Brew had a local soul?
What if there was a true digital front porch—built for Happy Valley?
We’re not reinventing the wheel. We’re adapting proven playbooks to meet real, local needs.
The Flywheel: From Content to Connection
Our approach isn’t about clicks. It’s about network effect—the same mechanism that powers 71% of tech company value.
A parent finds an event → Shares it → Joins a group → Supports a nonprofit → That org gets visibility → The cycle strengthens.
It’s a living loop of content, community, and commerce—with intention.
From “Why” to What’s Next
Amazon asked: Why does it have to be this way?
We’re asking the same—right here in Happy Valley.
- Why can’t one platform bring together our businesses, nonprofits, alumni, and events?
- Why can’t we all feel more in the know—and more in community?
- Why can’t Happy Valley set the standard for how a connected region can thrive?
The answer is: We can. We are. And you’re invited to be part of it.
Connect Happy Valley – Launching June 2025
We’re not creating the heartbeat of this region—we’re simply amplifying it.
Because the heartbeat is already here—in the conversations, creativity, and connections happening every day.
At its core, information is the pulse of community life.
When people know what’s happening, where to go, and how to get involved—they show up.
They give back.
They build forward.
Connect Happy Valley is a platform built to gather, share, and circulate that information—to strengthen the signal and shorten the distance between people who care.
But we’re not the voice. You are.
This is a place where the community does the writing.
Where local stories, local businesses, and local momentum all rise together.
Be Among the First
If you’re receiving this e-letter, you’re already part of this next chapter.
You’ll be first to explore the inaugural eletter issue and enhanced website in June.
First to help shape how we tell our shared story.
First to see how connection can power a community.
And if your business or organization wants to get involved—whether through content, sponsorship, partnership, or shared mission—email me directly at Greg@affinityconnection.com
We’re not building a media company.
We’re building a mirror—and a megaphone—for a region that’s ready to connect.
Let’s circulate what matters.
Let’s Connect Happy Valley.
