Creating Real World Connections in a Digital Age

Creating Real World Connections in a Digital Age With Shalini Lunia

Shalini Lunia is the Co-founder of Cielo, a San Francisco-based platform that fosters authentic in-person connections through curated small group gatherings. She grew up in a ninth-generation family of jewelers and has lived in cities around the world. Shalini led ventures in industries ranging from jewelry to edible oils and real estate infrastructure. Her mission with Cielo is to help people overcome loneliness and build meaningful relationships wherever they are.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

[3:32] Shalini Lunia describes growing up surrounded by gemstones in multiple countries
[7:04] Why the precious stones market is booming as diamonds decline
[11:58] Being raised to become a good wife while pursuing entrepreneurial ambitions
[15:56] Entering the family edible oil business through design and marketing
[18:07] Expanding into gas infrastructure for apartment buildings during a construction boom
[20:27] How frequent relocations inspired the creation of Cielo

In this episode…

In a world where we’re more digitally connected than ever, many still struggle to find genuine, face-to-face friendships. Moving to a new city, starting fresh, or simply wanting to expand one’s social circle can feel daunting and isolating. How can we bridge the gap between online connections and meaningful real-world relationships?

According to Shalini Lunia, a lifelong entrepreneur with a global upbringing, the answer lies in creating intentional spaces for small group gatherings that foster authentic bonds. She highlights how loneliness has become a pressing issue, even in bustling urban centers, and how technology can be used to solve this problem. Her approach centers on curated, verified meetups that prioritize quality over quantity, giving people the comfort and confidence to engage. This model encourages deeper conversations, stronger community ties, and a greater sense of belonging, no matter where life takes you.

In this episode, host John Corcoran sits down with Shalini Lunia, Co-founder of Cielo, to discuss creating real-world connections in a digital age. They explore why smaller groups foster stronger bonds, how curated events combat loneliness, and the importance of safety and trust in social platforms. Shalini also shares how her personal journey inspired the creation of Cielo.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Quotable Moments

“I grew up playing with gemstones, assorting them color-wise, shape-wise, and that’s how we grew up.”
“As diamonds have crashed, the precious stones have boomed, multiplying many times in the last five years.”
“We are girls, we’re brought up to be good wives, learning cooking, knitting, stitching, embroidery, and crafts.”
“An average American moves three times in his lifetime, and it takes three months to finally make friends.”
“Loneliness is one of the biggest issues that I think the next generation is going to face.”

Action Steps

Create small group gathering opportunities: Smaller groups foster deeper conversations and more authentic connections, making relationships easier to build and maintain.
Verify participant profiles for safety: Ensuring users are who they say they are builds trust and encourages more people to join events.
Focus on quality over quantity in networking: Limiting event size to a manageable number enhances interaction and prevents overwhelming social dynamics.
Use technology to combat loneliness: Leveraging apps to connect like-minded individuals can help bridge the gap between online and in-person relationships.
Encourage community involvement in event creation: Allowing members to host or propose gatherings increases engagement and strengthens the platform’s sense of belonging.

Sponsor for this episode…

EO San Francisco

This episode is brought to you by EO San Francisco.

The Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) is a global, peer-to-peer network of more than 14,000+ influential business owners with 198 chapters in 61 countries.

If you are the founder, co-founder, owner, or controlling shareholder of a company generating over $1 million a year in revenues, and want to connect with other like-minded successful entrepreneurs, EO is for you.

The EO San Francisco chapter enables leading entrepreneurs in the Bay area to learn, grow, and achieve greater success.

The EOSF chapter was founded in 1991, and today we have over 100 members in industries ranging from marketing to agriculture to tech and professional services.

To learn how it works, or to come do a test drive come join us at www.eonetwork.org/sanfrancisco/.

This episode is also brought to you by my company, Pacific Crest Group.

Pacific Crest Group provides outsourced CFO, Controller, and bookkeeping services. You can learn more about us at https://www.pcg-services.com/

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