Today was our first meeting with our new format: Conversation starters. So instead of having members come in and do presentations we have somebody come up with a topic they’d like to focus on for the meeting and then we have a casual roundtable discussion about it and see where it leads!
So for example I asked the group, “How do you use your smartphone for business?” I gave the example of Trip Cubby, a mileage app, that I was introduced to through my friend Amanda at Gaeltek. Trip Cubby allows you to put in the info you need to record your mileage (with some flexibility on the data categories) then you can export the data into a spreadsheet sent straight to your e-mail. It even allows you to save frequent trips so it’s one touch entry the next time you make the trip. Mollie Tobias with Mollie Tobias Photography talked about her app that allows her to know where the positioning of the sun is – even if she isn’t at the location. It saves her time in setting up for outdoor photography. Maggie Smith with Mary Kay showed us her Mary Kay app that allows people to see what they’d look like with the make up before putting it on. Other apps included: Apps to scan your business cards info into a database (like Card Munch), to organize your rewards cards (like Key Ring), to do lists, calendars, social networking (Facebook, Pinterest), QR code readers, and Square (for taking credit card payments through your phone). Expensify is another app Amanda has recommended to me that I have yet to try out – but it’s supposed to help you be able to keep track of your expenses through your smart phone.
How has having a smart phone improved your business and your productivity?
Here’s who was at today’s meeting:
Jason Shriner – The Aubergine Chef
Robert McGlothlin – McGlothlin Properties
Mollie Tobias – Mollie Tobias Photography
Phil Hicks – Access National Bank
Tracey Lavery – Inspection Professionals
Olga Beltre – Zylo Home and Office Organizers
Shannon Leydig – George Mason Mortgage
Melissa Gill – The Fauquier Bank
Maggie Smith – Mary Kay
Lene Minyard – Cruise and Resorts 4U
Susan Jacobs – Re/max Gateway
Our next meeting is June 5th!
Upcoming Networking Events:
Please remember to confirm meetings through the e-mail contacts and websites especially during holidays. Many of the meetings are regularly scheduled (like weekly) so I just update them for next upcoming date. If I made a mistake please let me know so I can send out a corrected update.
Prince William Professional Networkers – Thursday May 16th @ 7:30am – 8:30am at the IHOP in Manassas Mall: This is a lead-share and referral organization where members share business referrals by establishing professional relationships at a weekly networking meeting. PWPN members help each other build their businesses by sharing referrals. The group is small, averaging between 20-30 members, so it is easy to network. And only one person from each profession is represented, so there is no competition or conflict of interest. They encourage guests to come and is $60.00 for a yearly membership with a pro-rating options for those joining late in the year. For more information visit: http://pwpn.org
Gainesville Business Forum – Thursday May 16th at the Re/Max Gateway Office in Gainesville (enter through Virginia Oaks on Rt 29) @ 9:00am – This networking group encourages their members to get to know each other better through ice breakers and 1-to-1′s. It is a completely open group. Keynote speakers have 20 minutes for their presentation. Membership is $4.00 a month – paid yearly and pro-rated. They meet every Thursday morning. Contact Becky O’Brien for more information.
Building Bridges – Thursday May 16th @ 12:00pm at Old Towne Sports Pub in Old Town Manassas: This is a business networking group that meets every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month (starting July they will only meet on the 3rd Thursdays) with an emphasis on charity. They encourage getting to know non-profits. There are no fees to attend or to become a member but you can make a donation to the featured charity. For more information e-mail Jason Shriner.
6:3 Networking Stafford – Friday May 17th @ 8:45am – 10:00am at Jimmy The Greeks in Stafford: Connect with a great group of small business owners in Stafford who put emphasis on making personal connections that lead to exchanging referrals. Membership is $50.00 a year and guests can visit for free. Membership is exclusive and each meeting a member presents on their business. They meet each Friday. For more information visit: http://www.63network.com.
Nokesville Day 2013 – Saturday May 18th @ 9:00am – 4:00pm at Fitzwater Drive in Nokesville: This is a huge event held in Nokesville with activities and vendors sponsored by the Nokesville-Bristow Ruritans. This year it will take up the entire length of the road of Fitzwater from Aden Road all the way to 28. Vendor fees vary and lots of information is available on the application here which I’ve uploaded to Grassroots’ blog: http://gnetwestpwc.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/nokesvilleday2013.pdf
Network Stars – Tuesday May 21st @ 8:00 to 9:30 am at IHOP in Gainesville. This exclusive group meets weekly. Membership is free except what you order for breakfast. They are a group of business professionals looking to grow their network and help their member’s business grow through quality referrals. For more information please contact Joe Decker.
Bull Run Networking – Tuesday May 21st @ 8:45am at the Mimi’s Cafe in Gainesville: BRN’s focus is to exchange quality business leads and referrals while having fun in the process. The meetings are structured, yet there is a lot of laughter and camaraderie every week! Because the members focus on building strong business relationships with one another, they are able to pass on quality leads to help each others’ businesses grow. This exclusive networking group meets every Tuesday. For more information visit: http://bullrunnetwork.wordpress.com/meeting-info/
Elite Networking Mixer – Tuesday May 21st @ 10:00am at VA Barbeque on Liberia Avenue in Manassas: This event is hosted by Roger Jones of Gainesville Plumbing. There is no fee to attend except for the cost of your brunch items. Meetings include a short presentation and plenty of open networking. They typically meet on the 3rd Tuesday of every month. For more information visit the Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/EliteNetworkingMixer.
Haymarket Gainesville Business Association – Tuesday May 21st @ 4:00pm – 6:00pm at Rainbow Center, 4-H Therapeutic Riding Program (5936 Amber Ridge Road in Haymarket): HGBA is one of the larger networking groups with members ranging from home based businesses to nationwide companies. The HGBA also works closely with the three local Chambers of Commerce. Your first two visits are free and memberships are scaled based on the size of business. For more information visit: http://hgba.biz or e-mail Susan Jacobs.
NOVA Business Referral Roundtable and Mastermind Group – Wednesday May 22nd @ 8:00am – 9:30am at Century 21 New Millennium (4315 Walney Rd, Chantilly): Their goal is to meet with highly driven, motivated, and successful top producing sales people, business owners, entrepreneurs and anyone looking to build their business, increase their sales, and become more profitable by sharing business and learning from like minded professionals. All professionals in all fields are welcome especially those who do business to business transactions, Real Estate related, and personal services. They meet every Wednesday morning. For more information visit the meetup group at: http://www.meetup.com/NoVaBusinessReferrals/
Piedmont Professionals – Wednesday May 22nd @ 8:30am – 9:30am at Country Cookin in Warrenton:
This Fauquier based networking group is dedicated to generating more referral business for members. Be there early to network with fellow business people. For more information contact Lake Lester.
Business Alliance Networking Group – Wednesday May 22nd @ 12:00pm at Fast Eddie’s in Centerville: This small business networking group meets every Wednesday. This is a more established networking group and also supports local charities with the funds they collect from membership and the 50/50 raffle. The meeting is free to attend as a visitor except for the cost of lunch. For more information contact Joe Decker.
Network at Noon – Wednesday May 22nd @ 12:00pm at Giuseppe’s in Haymarket: “We have to eat lunch, so why not network while we’re doing it?” Susan Jacobs’ famous phrase led to her starting Network at Noon. This completely open and free networking group encourages conversation while dining at different restaurants each meeting. They meet the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month. For locations for future meetings and more information e-mail Susan Jacobs or visit the Meetup group: http://www.meetup.com/Network-At-Noon/
Grassroots Small Business Networking – Wednesday June 5th @ 11:00am – 1:00pm at A La Carte Catering in Haymarket – Our emphasis is on free and accessible networking with no visitor fees and no membership fees – except for the cost of your lunch. We start off with a short meeting and the remaining time is open networking. One or two members per meeting will bring something up they’d like to show or ask the group to start the conversation. Grassroots meets on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month.
Building Bridges – Thursday June 6th @ 12:00pm at Old Towne Sports Pub in Old Town Manassas: This is a business networking group that meets every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month with an emphasis on charity. They encourage getting to know non-profits. There are no fees to attend or to become a member but you can make a donation to the featured charity. For more information e-mail Jason Shriner.
