Long Beach entrepreneurs and business leaders may soon have a new avenue for networking and growth as PROXHAUS, a community-focused organization, launches in Miami and explores expansion into additional markets. Founded by award-winning brand strategist Silvana Massolo, PROXHAUS held a successful kickoff event on September 23 at Claudie in Brickell, attracting approximately 50 members, including Mark Burns, Executive Director of the Coconut Grove Business Improvement District; Joe Hornstein, VP of Philanthropy at Goodwill South Florida; Edith Vargas, Founder of Keeping Your Book; and Pamela Silva, Emmy Award-winning journalist.
PROXHAUS aims to bring people, ideas, businesses, and experiences closer together through connection, collaboration, and opportunity. "The name PROXHAUS reflects our belief that proximity creates possibility — that bringing the right people, ideas, businesses, and experiences closer together can lead to impactful change," said Massolo. "Through experiences like The Room and The Table, along with the causes we support and the relationships we build, we're creating a community that shows up together, moves with intention, and creates opportunities that extend far beyond any single event."
The organization offers a free community membership that provides access to news, events, exclusive discounts, and community updates. Paid memberships range from $195 to $3,500 annually, offering expanded visibility, connections, and access tailored to young professionals, civic and nonprofit leaders, individuals, businesses, and corporate partners. Benefits can include member spotlights, social and website exposure, advance event access, founder-facilitated introductions, member pricing for experiences, email marketing opportunities, and brand activations.
Massolo emphasized the personal motivation behind the venture: "I understand the power of proximity and how it can help forge relationships and opportunities that people may not otherwise encounter on their own. PROXHAUS is the community I wish I had when I was 25, at scale."
For Long Beach, the potential arrival of PROXHAUS could mean new opportunities for local businesses and professionals to connect with a broader network. As the organization develops strategic partnerships with brands, businesses, organizations, and community leaders, it creates avenues for collaboration, visibility, engagement, and experiences. The planned expansion into additional markets through partnerships with trusted local leaders suggests that Long Beach could be a future target, bringing with it a model that emphasizes relationship-driven community building.
Such expansion could impact the local business landscape by fostering connections that lead to new ventures, partnerships, and investment. It may also provide a platform for Long Beach leaders to showcase their initiatives and attract attention from a wider audience. The emphasis on giving back to communities aligns with many local values, potentially enriching the area's civic and philanthropic fabric.
Those interested in learning more about PROXHAUS and exploring membership opportunities can visit www.proxhaus.com. As the organization grows, its trajectory will be one to watch for Long Beach and other markets seeking to harness the power of proximity for economic and social benefit.
