Kick Off the Fall Season with k12itc & Think Big Partners at Entrepreneur Corner

* Bummer!  Tonight the forecast shows a 70-90% chance of rain!  Because of the weather, we have cancelled Entrepreneur Corner for tonight, September 7, 2012.  Join us next month on October 5 with k12itc and we promise to make it up to you! 

August is almost over. 

Sigh. 

We witnessed a lot of great things this month.  We saw the United States come out on top in the Olympics and the fantastic closing ceremony that followed.  NASA actually got a one-ton robot to land on Mars.  And sports fans everywhere began pulling out their favorite college team jerseys in preparation for football season. 

It’s tough to let a great month like August 2012 slip away. But have no fear—Entrepreneur Corner during First Fridays is here to lift your spirits and help you celebrate the beginning of fall!

The September edition of Entrepreneur Corner will not only feature great refreshments, awesome networking and stunning views of Kansas City from the rooftop of 1800 Baltimore, but we’ll also be spotlighting local Kansas City company, k12itc.

k12itc specializes in working with both public and private schools to deliver tailored solutions for each organization’s unique technological challenges. k12itc provides access to a comprehensive range of flagship solutions including CloudRack, CloudWatch and managed Blackboard hosting.  Join us on the rooftop of bizperc to learn more about k12itc and speak with the founders yourself! 

Entrepreneur Corner festivities will kick off 5:00pm and conclude at 9:00pm...but that’s only our event! As with every First Friday, there are a slew of great events that will be happening all over downtown Kansas City and in the Crossroads Arts District.

But how can you find out about every Entrepreneur Corner activity?  Now, it’s simple!  Download the intevli app on your smartphone for all of the latest information on art events, restaurants, entrepreneurial meet-ups, shopping and even parking during First Fridays!

See you on the rooftop on September 7^th! 

Entrepreneurship, Networking...and Mechanical Bull Riding?

After a long (but educational!) day of panelists and networking, iKC conference attendees migrated over to Kansas City Power & Light’s greatest country-western bar, PBR Big Sky.  Ties were loosened and beers were consumed.   Attendees had the opportunity to mingle and pick the brains of the speakers in a casual setting.  All-in-all, it was the perfect end to a successful iKC event.

The greatest part of the evening? Seeing Think Big Partners’ CEO and co-founder Herb Sih riding the mechanical bull—an image none of us are soon to forget.  We had to share it with you:

Kansas City Startups, Where's Your Poker Face?

Kansas City startups, we're asking you to leave your business cards at home...and instead, bring your poker face.  Welcome to Startup Poker.

Startup Poker isn't your typical networking event.  There will be no laptops, no tech talks, no sales pitches.  It's all about poker, excellent company and casual entrepreneurial competition.

Join thirty of Kansas City's founders, funders, CXOs and entrepreneurs for an evening of cards, collaboration and cocktails on May 2, 2012 at bizperc (1800 Baltimore in Kansas City, MO -- 6th floor).  Startup Poker will not only feature a solid game of Texas Hold'em, but will also bring together the best entrepreneurial talent Kansas City has to offer.  So throw in your chips, entrepreneurs; buy-in is $150 and it all goes down at 6:30pm.

Why should you participate?  It's a night to unwind, take a load off, down a few cocktails and maybe make a little cash.

"Entrepreneurs are always working," said Blake Miller, organizer for Startup Poker.  "We wanted something that would take your mind off of work, but also foster relationships with other entrepreneurs in the community."

Want to learn more or RSVP?  Check out Startup Poker online.

Follow Startup Poker! @startup_poker
Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig

April Showcase Brings May Entrepreneurs to bizperc

At bizperc, we’ve noticed a “coworking craze.”  Entrepreneurs love coming into our space to work with like-minded startups, accelerate with the Think Big Partners team and work in an inspiring and modern coworking space.

We’re changing the way businesses are built...and we want YOU to see it for yourself! 

On Thursday, April 12, 2012 Think Big Partners is hosting the bizperc Showcase and group tour from 4:00-5:30PM at 1800 Baltimore (starts on the 4th floor!) in the Crossroads District of Kansas City, Missouri. 

At the Showcase, you will have the chance to interactively tour Kansas City’s modern coworking space and business accelerator, get a behind-the-scenes look at the startup creation process, showcase your own entrepreneurial ventures and learn how Think Big Partners is changing the way businesses are built...and why. 

Evening Agenda:

4:00        Meet Think Big Partners: the company that’s building companies

4:15        Tour the bizperc coworking space and see where the magic happens

5:00        Showcase your own entrepreneurial venture on bizperc’s 6^th floor with a gorgeous view of downtown KC

Experience coworking and entrepreneurship on a whole new level.  Register today for the bizperc Showcase powered by Think Big Partners and join us on Thursday, April 12, 2012 from 4:00 to 5:30PM: http://bizpercshowcaseapr12.eventbrite.com/.  

Can't make it on Thursday? Don't worry! bizperc Showcases will take place every month! Stay tuned for the next Showcase announcement. 

Questions? Call 816-842-5244 or email Sarah Snyder (ssnyder@thinkbigpartners.com).  

Don’t forget to follow bizperc on Twitter @bizperc!

Inboun and TBP Hit the First Friday Streets (and Roof) at Entrepreneur Corner Tomorrow

Join us on our rooftop garden tomorrow night for Entrepreneur Corner!

We are excited to bring a new twist to Entrepreneur Corner this month! Join us on the rooftop of bizperc (1800 Baltimore) during Kansas City's First Fridays for beer, snacks and major networking. We're spotlighting Inboun and Think Big Partners and we think you'll like who you meet.

So stop on by the roof (for one of the best views of Kansas City) and to chat with us! Entrepreneur Corner will take place from 5:00-9:00pm on April 6. And don't forget to check out Life Equals' photobooth (it returns to our parking lot around 5:00pm too!).


For more information, visit Entrepreneur Corner on Facebook!

Entrepreneur Corner Opens Back Up During First Fridays April 6th

Last year, Entrepreneur Corner helped to bring entrepreneurs, artists, startups and Kansas City residents together every month during First Fridays.  At Entrepreneur Corner, attendees have had the opportunity to meet local successful entrepreneurs, learn about new business in Kansas City and view unique pieces of artwork that local artists have produced.

But this summer, we're hosting Entrepreneur Corner with a bit of a twist.

Each month, we will be bringing in two of the Midwest's coolest new startup companies and spotlighting them to the public.  That means that every month, two different startups will come together and host their own networking party during First Fridays...courtesy of Think Big Partners and bizperc.  And the best part?  It takes place on our rooftop garden.

This month, we will be spotlighting Think Big Partners (the Kansas City-based startup accelerator that you all know and love) and Inboun (a new inbound marketing startup).  So join us for beer, snacks and great networking on our rooftop garden (1800 Baltimore, Kansas City, MO) on Friday, April 6 from 5:00-9:00pm.

If you want even more from this month's First Fridays (and love startups and entrepreneurship as much as we do), be sure to swing by 1617 Event Space from 4:00-6:30 PM for the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce's Big Idea Exchange Series.  At this event, the Chamber will hold a panel to discuss more about the Big 5 initiative to move UMKC's world-class arts program downtown and on how creativity is helping to build a thriving economy here in KC.

But wait...there's more!  Life Equals, our favorite supplement and multivitamin family, will be back with their fun First Fridays photobooth!  So if you'd like to capture a moment like this...

...be sure to stop by 1800 Baltimore on April 6th too! 

Are you interested in spotlighting your startup at Entrepreneur Corner? Contact Sarah at ssnyder@thinkbigpartners.com for more information.  


Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig
Follow bizperc! @bizperc

As the Weather Cools Down, Kansas City Entrepreneurship Heats Up

The beginning of October is always exciting, afterall, it's finally Fall.  The leaves are starting to turn and the weather is starting to cool down.  But at the same time, October seems to be heating up for Kansas City entrepreneurs.  And this coming Friday will be no different.


The Social Media Club of Kansas City is blowing up this month.  On top of hosting Building the Gigabit City earlier this week, SMCKC is also hosting their monthly breakfast from 7:30-9:00 AM at the Kansas City Cafe on Friday.  With a projected 80 people in attendance, the breakfast is a great opportunity to meet other Kansas City movers-and-shakers, entrepreneurs and social media gurus.


Missouri Bank (MoBank) is hosting it's third annual Rock. Paper. Scissors. Throwdown Tournament during First Fridays.  The event will take place at 125 Southwest Boulevard in Kansas City from 5:30 until 9:00 PM.  Those who have entered need to have wit, speed, dexterity and strategy in order to become the RPS champion and win a special prize.  Earn bragging rights, your name engraved on an RPS trophy, a belt and a gift basket filled with prizes.  Come watch the tournament on Friday and cheer on your favorite competitor!

Entrepreneur Corner, hosted by Think Big Partners and bizperc, will also be taking place during First Fridays in the Crossroads District.  Join the TBP team and 8 other knock-out startups from the Kansas City area for networking, free beer, games and fun.  Startups include Zaarly, KC Reporter, KC Incubator, Life Equals, Silo88, Derfour, Motion Machine Studio and more!  Entrepreneur Corner will take place at the corner of 18th and Baltimore from 6:00-9:00 PM.

Remember, entrepreneurs, this is just the first week of October - there are many more startup events this Fall.  Stay tuned for more event announcements in the coming weeks!

Written by Allison Way
@AllisonThinkBig

Drinks, Appetizers and Networking at 1911 Main with Think Big Partners

Half price appetizers.  $3 well drinks.  Dozens of successful entrepreneurs.  Could you come up with a better Tuesday night in Kansas City?

Join Think Big Partners and bizperc for a Networking Happy Hour on Tuesday, October 4 from 4:30pm until 8:00pm.  The Networking Happy Hour is presented by Joe Athon of the Urban Entrepreneur Partnership and will take place at 1911 Main, one of Kansas City's newest and jazziest downtown restaurants. 

At the event, you will have the chance to learn about Think Big Partners and bizperc and what the two companies are doing for the Kansas City entrepreneurial community.  The event will be a cross section of the Kansas City business, arts, and educational communities for networking in an upscale environment.  The Networking Happy Hour aims to bring together entrepreneurs, investors, business people and visionaries for a night of music, fun and networking.

Interested in attending?  Check out the event page on Facebook and click "attending"!  Can't wait to see you there!

Written by Allison Way
@AllisonThinkBig

Don't Miss Out On This Week's Launch and Learn Seminar!

On Wednesday, March 9th, 2011, Think Big Partners and KC Young Pros are hosting a Launch and Learn Seminar called Market You Through Networking, presented by James Moburg of LeadTunnel.

At the luncheon, Moburg will walk attendees through the best networking strategies including how to take advantage of LinkedIn, utilizing Facebook for marketing and meeting business people, and how to present yourself effectively at networking events. 

To attend the event on Wednesday, register online.  We look forward to seeing you and teaching you the importance of networking in Kansas City!

Info:
Launch and Learn Series: Market YOU Through Networking
Hosted by: Think Big Partners & KC Young Pros
Date: Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Time: 11:30AM - 1:30PM
Location: Think Big Partners (1800 Baltimore Kansas City, MO 64108)
Price: $25 (lunch provided)
Questions? 816.842.5244

More info...

Written by Allison Way.  Allison is a writer for Think Big Partners, Kansas City's early-stage startup accelerator and business incubator. To read more of Allison's work, check out the Kansas City Entrepreneurship Examiner as well as her articles on Helium, eZine and BrooWaha.  Follow Allison!  @AllisonThinkBig

Since When Did Networking Become Such a Huge Deal?

Using LinkedIn, Facebook, and business events to your advantage.

It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.

This cliché can certainly pertain to all different aspects of life, but none truer than that of business.  In business, it truly is all about who you know, not what you know.  From landing your first job out of college to partnering with some of your community’s biggest movers and shakers, building and maintaining business relationships is critical when working in and working on a business.

But when did networking become such a big deal?  Networking and building strong relationships has always been an important in the business world.  But today, with tools such as LinkedIn and Facebook, networking seems to have taken a dramatic turn.   And perhaps for the better. 

Let’s take a look at the facts. 

66,266,528 :: the number of people that are currently using LinkedIn.  Almost half of these users are located within the United States.  But are you utilizing LinkedIn correctly? 

1.5 million :: the number of local businesses that have Facebook pages that you can visit and network on.  But are you using these Facebook pages to your advantage?

79% :: your chances of sealing a deal are 79% higher when business networking is involved.  But are you meeting the right people in the right settings to get the deals sealed?

To answer all of these questions (and many more) Think Big Partners is hosting Launch and Learn: Marketing You Through Networking in collaboration with KC Young Professionals.  LeadTunnel co-founder and networking expert James Moburg will present real-life lessons from his networking experiences and provide tips and strategies to network effectively on- and offline.

“Most young people have a ton of opportunities to network.  They just don’t know how to do it right," says Moburg.  "Time is an investment itself, and i can help people get a big return on their investment by following my techniques."

The Launch and Learn Series will take place on March 9, 2011 from 11:30AM until 1:00PM at Think Big Partners location (1800 Baltimore, Kansas City, MO). 

During Marketing You Through Networking, Moburg will focus on the following areas:

• How networking can improve and empower you (with examples from real life stories)
• The two crucial networking areas you can personally focus on in 2011
• The 101 crash course in how to maximize your networking event experience
• Marketing yourself effectively in the long run and becoming more memorable

But Moburg is looking forward to teaching more than just that. 

“I want people to leave this Launch and Learn event with three things,” he said.  “First, I want people to feel empowered to take their networking skills to the next level.  Second, I want attendees to use my personal examples of networking as proven strategies.  Third, I want to help people to stand out for the rest of their lives.”

Are you ready to stand out for the rest of your life? 

If so, join Moburg, Think Big Partners and KC Young Pros for an inside look at playing the networking game.   

Register today!

Written by Allison Way.  Allison is a writer for Think Big Partners, Kansas City’s mentorship-based startup accelerator and business incubator.  To read more of Allison’s work, check out the Kansas City Entrepreneurship Examiner as well as her articles on Helium, eZine and BrooWaha.  Follow Allison! @AllisonThinkBig

How to Take Your Kansas City Business Mentoring to the Next Level

It has been proven that an entrepreneur can experience greater success when they have a business mentor by their side. A business mentor can provide guidance, advice, and even much-needed vent sessions. But where can you find a business mentor in Kansas City? And more importantly, how can you take your business mentoring to the next level?

Well, nobody ever said that a mentor has to be just one person, right?  And what better way to enhance your business than by utilizing the "two heads are better than one" strategy?  Or in this case, "three heads are better than two!" 

Utilizing more than one business mentor may be another key to business success. That is why The Kansas Small Business Development Center at Johnson County Community College has formulated the ever-popular CEO Roundtables. At these roundtables, CEOs and business leaders with companies over 5-years old (past the startup stage) are invited to sit in on a roundtable in which participators address issues, seize opportunities and overcome business obstacles. In essence, these roundtables are giant pods of mentors who are able to provide knowledge and expert advice. Led by a facilitator and entrepreneur, the collective knowledge and experience of the group provides for lively and effective discussions.

“The CEO Roundtable provides life-long learning so that people can build high performance businesses that are sustainable,” says Sally Smith, facilitator of the CEO Roundtable and Founder/CEO of Smith & Associates, Inc. “These businesses become each other’s advisors and help one another get outside of the box.”

With expertise with high performance companies, Smith reiterates the importance of business mentors and how they can strengthen any business, no matter how large or small it may be. “Leadership is leadership and business is business,” she says. “The industry that these businesses come from is not as important as helping one another solve the problems at hand.”

Tomorrow, from 8:00AM until 10:00AM, the Kansas Small Business Development Center at Johnson County Community College is hosting one of these CEO Roundtables to help a rich variety of businesses answer the question “How do you work on your business, not in your business?” The participating businesses will discuss the importance of strategic planning through a formalized process that is more than just an open format. During this two-hour roundtable, business leaders will be able to lean on one another for opinions, advice, suggestions, and solutions about the ever-changing business environment around the world.

“In today’s age, a leader must understand that business and technology are always changing,” Smith says. “The CEO Roundtable helps keep things fresh and refreshed. It adds to the knowledge of business leaders.”

If you’re interested in joining a CEO Roundtable, please fill out an application or call 913-469-3878. All attendees of the roundtable must fill out an application and pay the event fee. To learn more about the CEO Roundtable events, visit KCSourceLink.

Written by Allison Way. Allison is a writer and videographer for Think Big Partners and bizperc, two of Kansas City’s newest entrepreneurial resources.  To read more of Allison's work, please check out the Kansas City Entrepreneurship Examiner.

As part of our countdown to the New Year, Think Big Partners would like to know what entrepreneurs want to see happen in the Kansas City community in 2011. Take our poll at the top of this blog and let us know!

Global Entrepreneurship Week: Imagine What Your Business Can Learn From 100 Countries, 10 Million People, and 40,000 Events...in One Week

The more the merrier, right?  The more people that attend a networking event, the more opportunities you have to make the perfect business connection.  The more people you interact with in a day, the more advice you can gain about your next big business idea.  The more people that come in to utilize your business, the more successful your business becomes.  

That's the idea behind Global Entrepreneurship Week: and with 100 countries, 10 million people, 40,000 and one extremely cool week-- entrepreneurs cannot help but celebrate the impact of numbers and the notion of "the more the merrier!"  

Happy Global Entrepreneurship Week, entrepreneurs!  This is the week to celebrate everything entrepreneur: from innovation to creation, from moving to shaking, from idea to successful business.  With over a dozen entrepreneurial events happening this week in Kansas City, a budding or seasoned entrepreneur cannot go wrong by attending some of the extremely beneficial GEW events.  But there is an even better way to celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week—start up your own business today!

Kansas City entrepreneurs and small business owners can find total inspiration from a week-long celebration like Global Entrepreneurship Week.  By attending many of Global Entrepreneurship Week’s Kansas City events, such as Entrepreneurs in Motion, Central Exchange’s Celebration of Women Entrepreneurs, and the Fourth Annual Kansas City Small and Home Business Connection Expo, future entrepreneurs can gain beneficial advice and develop effective business ideas. 

With the involvement of 100 countries, 10 million people and the inclusion of 40,000 events, Global Entrepreneurship Week truly is a global movement that unleashes new ideas.  In a nutshell, GEW is a gigantic collaborative opportunity.  Since millions and millions of people are coming together for the event, Global Entrepreneurship Week is proof of the benefit of numbers.  Collaboration brings businesses together, molds creative ideas, and connects the most interesting and fast-paced people in this world—entrepreneurs. 

So, why not start today, entrepreneurs?  Find inspiration in one of the many Kansas City Global Entrepreneurship Week events and get started today—there’s no time like the present to think big, jumpstart your business idea and get going on a new successful business.  

Written by Allison Way.  Allison is a writer and videographer for Think Big Partners and bizperc, two of Kansas City's newest entrepreneurial resources.  To read more of Allison's work, check out the Kansas City Entrepreneurship Examiner.  

Futurallia Kansas City 2011 Brings Together Hundreds of Small Businesses and Thousands of International Entrepreneurs

Imagine an international experience for the Kansas City entrepreneur in which everyone has the opportunity to interact with 800 businesses from 30 countries in two days.  That’s Futurallia, and it’s coming to Kansas City May 18-20^th of 2011!  

Check out the Futurallia KC 2011 business event!

Futurallia is an event for business leaders, entrepreneurs, and startup companies to develop their business internationally through strategic, commercial, financial and technological partnerships.  The event is a fast-paced business match-making event where everything is done to optimize an entrepreneur’s small business development efforts and maximize their time.  Check out everything that Futurallia has to offer you and your small busines

• Up to 16 pre-selected, 30-minute one-on-one B2B meetings per participant
• Businesses from 30 different countries and key industry sectors to converse with
• Interpretation services as needed
• For the first time in the USA—and in Kansas City, the heart of America!
• Match-making system perfected in over 20 years of experience
• Unique networking opportunities with 800+ businesses from around the world
• Access to exhibits, including many export specialists
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner for two days
• Up to three nights hotel accommodation (depending on package)

If you’re an entrepreneur looking for business relationships, have an interest in international markets, or are looking for worldwide and Kansas City networking opportunities, Futurallia is for you.  The process is simple: visit the Futurallia KC 2011 website and register to attend the event.  Next, input your business profile into the proprietary online Futurallia Catalog.  Then, look at the catalog and select your potential business connections.  You will then receive your meeting itinerary with your 16 scheduled meetings upon arrival, and finally, complete your meetings and use your free time at Futurallia KC 2011 to have even more one-on-ones!

To register, visit www.futuralliakc2011.com or email info@futuralliakc2011.com for more information and open the door to a world of business.

Written by Allison Way.  Allison is a writer and videographer for Think Big Partners and bizperc, two of Kansas City's newest entrepreneurial resources.  To read more of Allison's work, visit the Kansas City Entrepreneurship Examiner.

KC Biz Live Allows Entrepreneurs to Network, Showcase their Businesses, and Explore Kansas City Innovation

On Thursday, the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce is hosting KC Biz Live, an annual Kansas City business event that attracts more than 1,000 movers and shakers in the area—including local entrepreneurs and small business owners.

 

Kansas City entrepreneurs, innovators, and small business owners are invited to tour tabletop exhibits of more than 100 Chamber member businesses from a wide variety of industries, shop for products and services for their own companies, meet Kansas City entrepreneurs and innovators who are facing today’s business challenges, and of course, visit with new potential customers, vendors, and strategic partners.   In addition, this Kansas City business event is featuring “Be the VC” in which attendees can vote for the most innovative emerging company in Kansas City.

KC Biz Live will also allow the public a sneak peak at the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce’s new home, located inside of Union Station.  Attendees will even have the chance to see floor plans and renderings for the new event room, the Board Room.

Kansas City Chamber members have the ability to showcase their companies at a tabletop exhibit.  Tables can be reserved for $200 (for a business) and $150 (for a nonprofit organization).  Be sure to reserve a table ahead of time for a premier location and extra visibility.  Showcased companies will not only promote Kansas City innovation and ingenuity at this business event, but the companies will also be able to give off a professional image with a draped cocktail table, table signage, complimentary parking, pre-printed nametags, two drink tickets, a company name listed on the website, and  an invitation to the informational exhibitor seminar.

KC Biz Live will take place on Thursday, October 7, 2010 from 3:00pm-6:00pm at the North Hall of Union Station, 30 West Pershing Road, Kansas City, Missouri.  This Kansas City business event is open to the public and absolutely free.  It is the perfect opportunity to take away new business relationships and network with a fresh, exciting prospective on new and innovative Kansas City businesses!  Think Big—attend KC Biz Live! 

Written by Allison Way.  Allison is a writer and videographer for Think Big Partners and bizperc, two of Kansas City's newest entrepreneurial resources.  For more of Allison's work, check out the Kansas City Entrepreneurship Examiner.  

Top 5 Tips to Effective Speed Networking

Most people have heard of speed dating, a program in which singles have the opportunity to meet other singles in the area, talk for a few minutes, and then move on to engage in conversation with the rest of the people in the room.  


Now, switch out the cocktails for coffee, the late-night chat to early-morning conversation, and exchange of phone numbers to the exchange of business cards—that’s speed networking, and it’s happening in Kansas City.

Every first Friday of the month, the Chamber of Commerce hosts Face2Face, a Kansas City networking opportunity for businesspeople to make quick professional connections.  Tomorrow, October 1^st, Face2Face speed networking is taking place at the Overland Park Marriott at 8:30am.  This Kansas City networking program allows entrepreneurs and small business owners the opportunity to present their products, services, company and themselves to at least 25 fellow networkers looking to gain similar exposure.  Registration for the event starts at 8:00am, and costs $10 for Chamber members.  Face2Face allows for Kansas City entrepreneurs to broaden their horizons and develop new business connections apart from social networking.  


To enhance your startup, freshen up on some speed networking skills.  Read our Top Five Tips to Effective Speed Networking:

1.  Come Prepared

Don’t walk into speed networking expecting to be able to fly by the seat of your pants.  Prepare for the event well in advance by practicing a one-minute elevator speech about you and your startup.  Some speed networking events time out the elevator speech to the second—so make sure yours is exactly one minute long.  Additionally, be sure to bring at least 50 business cards and a stack of company flyers.

2.  Keep the Result in Mind

The reason that you network is to connect with each and every person that you have the opportunity to sit with.  The result of speed networking is usually not to bag the big one or eliminate referral sources or partners.  The result should be meeting other local people and getting the word about your startup out there.. 


3.  Speed Networking is Like a Mini Interview

When the two people networking with one another treat the experience as an interview, a better conversation will be accomplished.  Ask about goals, character traits, business opportunities and success stories, etc.  It’s best to ask questions that will clarify where and how you can best help your new referral source


4.  Take Notes

In most networking experiences, you will not have the opportunity to take notes.  But in speed networking, notes are encouraged.  Bring a pen and a pad of paper to write down any information that you discover.


5.  Follow Up

Hands down, one of the most important aspects to networking is following up.  If you do not follow up with those that you meet during the speed networking experience, you will only have succeeded in wasting your time.  Follow up with lunches, phone calls, and emails so that you ensure that the person will also keep in touch with you and recognize your startup's eagerness.

Sometimes an entrepreneur needs to do more than just social networking, and meeting people face-to-face can be a very positive networking experience.  For more information about speed networking, check out the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce or SpeedNetworking.com.  Utilize speed networking and enhance your startup's web of networks today!  


Written by Allison Way.  Allison Way is a writer and videographer for Think Big Partners and bizperc. To read more of Allison's articles, visit the Entrepreneurship Examiner.  

Calling All Kansas City Young Professionals!

Are you a Kansas City young professional? Are you looking for new young professional opportunities? Are you interested in networking with other young professionals in the local area? Think Big Partners is here to answer all of your young professional questions. First, it is important to answer “what is a young professional anyway?”
A young professional is a person not in school who is employed in a profession or white-collar occupation. This includes young small business owners and young entrepreneurs as well. According to Wikipedia, young professionals are viewed as having “an obsession with success” and are often attached to technology and media.

At the same time, young professionals are also known to provide a welcome increase in a local area’s tax base and can also create a snowball effect of attracting and infusing young energy and talent into the area. Kansas City has established the Kansas City Young Professionals Networking Society in order to promote the young energies of the city and to shape a collaborative Kansas City business community.

If you’re a young professional looking to enhance your business opportunities in the Kansas City area, The Kansas City Young Professionals Networking Society is an organization that is worth looking into. This networking society is for people both young and young-at-heart in the Kansas City area who are looking to talk with other young professionals to gain more business knowledge and expert advice. The Kansas City Young Professionals Networking Society is known for hosting some of the city’s most successful business get-togethers, which fosters the growth of Kansas City innovation, business, and economy.

In the upcoming weeks, The Kansas City Young Professionals Networking Society has a number of events that Kansas City business people would benefit attending. All events are open to the public including spouses and friends. Tonight, join the networking society and other Kansas City business professionals for Happy Hour at Sullivan’s Steakhouse sponsored by the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce. Happy Hour starts at 5:30pm with complimentary food, networking and a chance to win door prizes!

Later this week, the KC Young Professionals Networking Society will be hosting various events such as Bob Burg’s Endless Referrals Live (September 28th at 7:30am), Fearless Empowerment/Powerful Networking seminar (September 29th at 6:30pm) and the Crawl for Cancer at Westport (October 2nd at 1:00pm). To learn more about these and other upcoming Kansas City business events, please visit the Kansas City Young Professional Networking Society website and be prepared to start Thinking Big!

Written by Allison Way.  Allison Way is a writer and videographer for Think Big Partners and bizperc, two of Kansas City's newest entrepreneurial resources.  To read more of Allison's articles, check out the Entrepreneurship Examiner page. 

How Do I Network? Tonight, KC Connect Has a Solution

Networking is a vital business strategy that every entrepreneur must develop.  When small businesses connect with others, tight-knit bonds can form and morph into enduring relationships with the right people.  And when entrepreneurs network with the right people, more businesses can flourish.

But how does an entrepreneur network?  Networking can come in many different shapes; from the power of LinkedIn and other social networking sites, to the joining of networking clubs.  But most importantly, the best networking opportunities come in the form of networking events.

Tonight, entrepreneurs and small business owners have a Kansas City networking opportunity that can potentially lead to a powerful string of relationships. At 5:30pm this evening, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver is hosting KC Connect—a new networking event series that occurs every fourth Friday. KC Connect is all about uniting today’s hard-working, young, urban professionals and so that they have the opportunity to network, connect with one another, express themselves, and find common ground.  Tonight’s event takes place at the American Jazz Museum from 5:30-7:30 with hor d’eurves, a cash bar, and the sounds of DJ Beatbroker, all the while connecting Kansas City business professionals to one another. 



Entrepreneurs are encouraged to attend KC Connect
in order to network with business professionals.



Networking is an effective business strategy, but only when done right.  When entrepreneurs network, they must step outside of the box and connect with people of various businesses, not just those that are within their own particular areas.  It's best to never let anyone go without talking to them, even for a few minutes.  It's important to chat with a neighbor, a person waiting in line, an old professor, or friends of friends.  When networking, be sure to keep in touch with your particular network on a consistent basis whether that be through phone calls, e-mails, LinkedIn messages, or events. 

The cliche phrase "it's not what you know, it's who you know" does stand true.  However, for entrepreneurship, we must tweek it to "it's what you know and who you know".  So seize this opportunity, Kansas City entrepreneurs, and attend KC Connect.  This is the perfect chance to meet the right people, develop a strong network, promote products and services, and tap into wider business groups.  Besides, you never know who you're going to meet!

Written by Allison Way, writer and videographer for Think Big Partners and bizperc, two of Kansas City's newest entrepreneurial resources. To read more of Allison's articles, check out the Entrepreneurship Examiner.