Leading Through Community: Inside GROW & S.A.L.T. with Vickie Coleman

I had a conversation recently with local agent Vickie Coleman about two groups she’s been building here in Richmond; GROW and S.A.L.T.

As she walked through how they work, one thing kept coming up: these aren’t structured like typical networking groups. There’s no pressure to pass referrals, no rigid format.  It’s a lot closer to a group of people sitting around a table, getting to know each other and figuring out how to support one another over time.

That approach resonated in many ways; from how conversations happen in the meetings to how business actually gets done. It’s less about who’s in the room, and more about what gets built between the people in it.

To understand how that actually plays out, let's break down each group individually.

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GROW: Giving Relationships Opportunities to Win

GROW started about three years ago, and it stands for “Giving Relationships Opportunities to Win.”

The group is intentionally kept simple. There’s no rigid format or set structure people have to follow, which leaves room for more natural conversation.

Most meetings feel more like a roundtable than an event. Someone might bring a challenge they’re working through in their business, an idea they’re trying to figure out, or something they’re stuck on—and the group works through it together.

Over time, people get to know each other beyond just what they do but why they do it and the heart that goes into their work. This understanding between your work and the people in the room is what leads to referral business over time.

From a logistics standpoint, GROW is made up of multiple local hubs that meet regularly around Richmond—including Ashland, Midlothian, Richmond / Scott’s Addition, New Kent, and more.

There’s no cost to join. The expectation is that members support a local nonprofit each quarter, usually through a $75 donation. Throughout that quarter, the group also looks for ways to support a nonprofit; whether that’s participating in events, helping promote what they’re doing, or bringing more visibility to their work.

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S.A.L.T.: A Faith Based Group for Real Estate Professionals

SALT stands for “Servant Agents Leading Together,” and it’s geared toward people in the real estate space; agents, lenders, and other professionals connected to the industry.

At its core, SALT is about integrating faith into your business. Not just as a personal belief, but in how you show up, make decisions, and support the people you work with day to day.

The structure reflects that. Meetings typically include a speaker, time for discussion, and space for things like prayer requests or shared challenges people are working through. There’s also a strong emphasis on encouragement—helping people stay grounded in what can be a high-pressure industry.

Like GROW, there’s a collaborative element to it. People are there to support each other, whether that’s talking through a deal, sharing perspective, or just being a steady presence when things don’t go as planned.

It’s an environment that’s less about transactions, and more about how you lead, serve, and show up in your work.

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Final Thought

At the end of the day, both GROW and SALT are built around the same idea: creating space for people to connect in a more meaningful way.

Not just for business, but for support, perspective, and community.

If that’s something you’ve been looking for, it’s worth checking out one of the groups and seeing it for yourself. You can reach out to Vickie Coleman directly at vscoleman15@gmail.com for more details.