Together, We’ve Made Gratitude Shine
Building ThankU.io has been one of the most rewarding journeys of my life, but it hasn’t been a solo endeavor. This passion project came to life through the collective talent, dedication, and kindness of an extraordinary team of professionals and volunteers. As I reflect on five incredible years and 500 posts, my heart overflows with gratitude for each person who has contributed to our shared mission of spreading gratitude worldwide.
The journey began in 2019 with Sabrina Akhtar, a classmate who heard about my vision to create a Global Gratitude Platform. After class one day, she approached me and said, “I can help you.” And so, we began. On Thanksgiving Day 2019, we launched ThankU.io, complete with a website and posts on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
With Sabrina’s development expertise, we created the foundation. However, I soon realized I couldn’t do it all alone. That’s when Ali Harris and Sami MacDonald stepped in, coaching me on the nuances of social media. Their ongoing support over the years has been a guiding light, especially during challenging times when I needed help to keep the dream alive.
When the Covid pandemic began, I had the good fortune to work virtually with Kayla Rebozzi, an intern from Menlo College. Kayla helped redefine our strategy, expand our reach, and introduce me to the wonders of Canva. Together, we built a cohesive brand and created visually stunning posts that resonated with our growing community.
As our platform evolved, we faced new challenges. The decline of Twitter as a tool for promotion led to a necessary pivot, including a website rebuild. Enter Abdullah Zion, a gifted developer from Bangladesh found on Fiverr. Abdullah’s calm assurances—“Don’t worry, Frances, I’ll fix it”—gave me countless stress-free days and nights. Thanks to him, the technical aspects of ThankU.io are always in capable hands, freeing me to focus on content creation.
For fresh content and creativity, I turned to Vithoria Escobar, a digital marketing pro from Brazil studying in Ireland. Vithoria brought heartfelt ideas and beautiful designs that revitalized our posts. Over time, she trained me to navigate Canva and the website on my own, ensuring her impact continues as I re-purpose her work into Instagram Stories.
In 2024, I retired from a 40+ year career in high-tech marketing and fully embraced my role as the sole content creator for ThankU.io. I dove into learning new tools, from iPhoto to Canva to WordPress, embracing a steep learning curve filled with trial and error (and occasional terror!) Throughout this transition, Ali and Sami’s support was unwavering.
Just as I grappled with the challenge of expanding our social media following, a miracle happened. During a Menlo College alumni event, I shared my struggles. Afterward, Chieri Abe, a student and social media expert managing the college’s accounts, approached me with an offer to help. Chieri has since been a patient guide, teaching me the art of Instagram Stories, Reels, and Carousels while encouraging me to engage and truly be social.
A Heartfelt Thanks to the Team
To Sabrina, Ali, Sami, and Chieri—your generosity and passion have been the heartbeat of this project. You remind me daily that gratitude flourishes through shared effort and kindness.
To the professionals—Abdullah, Kayla, and Vithoria—your expertise elevated our work. Thank you for your brilliance and unwavering commitment to the details that make ThankU.io shine.
Five Years and 500 Posts: Gratitude in Action
The vision of ThankU.io has always been simple yet profound: to create a space where gratitude could flourish, be expressed, and inspire others. Together, we’ve created 500 posts that have touched lives around the world, developed a user-friendly platform, and fostered a community united by the power of thankfulness.
This milestone is a testament to what’s possible when people come together with a shared purpose and a grateful heart. The ripple effect of your contributions will extend far beyond what we can see today.
As we celebrate, I hope each of you feels the deep gratitude I hold for you in my heart. Thank you for making ThankU.io more than a platform—it’s a beacon of what we can achieve when gratitude leads the way. Thank you.