We recently interviewed Entrepreneur Commons, London about the group Business Mentoring for New and Small Businesses Meetup Group.

 

Business Mentoring for New and Small Businesses Meetup Group helps London based SMB’s, including Pre Starts and Startups, and Business Mentors.  London based SME’s gain from free business mentoring sessions.

 

Business Mentors benefit by: Educating their Target Markets about their Services; Establishing Business Mentoring as a main stream profession; And, by supporting London by offering their services as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility Programs. We also encourage trainee Business Mentors to work with our members to help them build the hours they need to gain their Professional Qualifications in Business Mentoring.  This helps to generate value, wealth and work all at the same time.

 

DIIP: When and why did you start this group/organization?

EC:  Entrepreneur Commons, London, is the London Chapter of Entrepreneur Commons - a global peer support group for Startups.  The London Chapter supports organizations and associations to provide free access to services startups need.  As part of this aim Entrepreneur Commons, London, took over the Business Mentoring for New and Small Businesses Group because the earlier owner was unable to sustain it.

 

We as a movement felt it was in the interest of London based businesses that this group survived and took it over with the intention of building it into a self-sustaining group. Our membership list has grown by over 100 members to over 230 members since we took over.  We have also started the same group on Linked In to globalize the support only initially available to London based companies and Business Mentors.

 

DIIP: What type of events do you have and how often are they held (i.e. pitch parties, seminars, conferences, happy hours)?

EC:  We provide online networking and support via LinkedIn.  Offline we organize weekly meet up sessions where professional business mentors come and work with real life entrepreneurs to support them with their businesses for free.  We have just teamed up with eFactor – the World’s Largest Entrepreneurship community - to provide our members with access offline events we as a group cannot formally organize, such as Tax Planning, etc.  This means London based Businesses can gain access to a more complete solution to their concerns by being members of one Meet Up Group.

 

DIIP: What is your value proposition to those that attend?

EC:  Free support for both suppliers and the clients of the Business Mentoring Service.  Business Mentoring is fast becoming a Profession.  We support the profession by allowing their target market to understand what Business Mentoring is about.  How it is different to Coaching and Consulting? This helps the companies better utilize their resources and the Business Mentors to expose themselves to their target markets.

 

DIIP: What makes your group unique or different from other groups?

EC:  We organize ourselves as open social system using chaos theory to support our members build their businesses.

 

DIIP: Why do you think it is so important for people to go out to your events and “do it in person?”

EC:  We are in the process of building an offline/ online mix where our members gain from virtual interaction as much as from coming to our events in person.  This takes the pressure off our members to come to the group events all of the time.  However, our members do find the personal feel of the offline events of value and tend to come for various reason reasons ranging from networking to just having some human contact.  You have to bear in mind that a lot of the New and Businesses tend to be socially isolating for their members.   Our events allow business people from similar backgrounds to build social capital and benefit from each other’s experiences and expertise.

 

DIIP: Describe the ideal attendee to your events.

EC:  The person who books his/ her place early and turns up on time :)

DIIP: How has your group evolved since you started it?

EC:  We have evolved from a group with no support base to one who has a leading London University's Student Enterprise Society's and the World’s Largest Entrepreneurship Group backing us to helps our members with their businesses.   We are now in the process of scaling up our activities instead of worrying about survival.

DIIP: What other benefits, if any, do you offer outside of your events (i.e. discounts, mentoring, etc.)?

EC:  Networking online, via the Linked In Group, with national and global businesses who can support our members one way or another. Our LinkedIn group is an open group; please feel free to come along and benefit from what London based companies have to offer.

Business Mentoring for New and Small Businesses Meetup Group is holds its offline events every Thursday at University College, London’s Print Room café. To register, please visit: http://www.meetup.com/BusinessMentoring/. Even if your not in London you can still benefit from our regular updates on various business concerns.

 

To learn more about Business Mentoring for New and Small Businesses Meetup Group, please email Entrepreneur Commons, London at zufi@bizstuff.co . You can also follow Business Mentoring for New and Small Businesses Meetup Group at http://www.meetup.com/BusinessMentoring/.  Please note Entrepreneur Commons, London, is the CSR program of www.bizstuff.co

 

If you would like to have your group featured on the Do It In Person blog, please email aron@doitinperson.com.

DoItInPerson.com, VitaBath, American Airlines, Entrepreneur Week, The NJ Tech Meetup, Nolcha, Global Fashion Brands, Startup One Stop, Entrepreneurs Roundtable, Kayweb Angels & Ultra Light Startups

Join 250+ business owners for a night of drinks and networking from a variety of industries including:

Technology, Fashion, Mobile, Angel Investors, Venture Capital, Real Estate, Hospitality, Green Energy/Sustainability, and many more!

We recently interviewed Chaffee-Thanh Nguyen about his group The Chicago Entrepreneur Meetup Group.

 

The Chicago Entrepreneur Meetup Group is a great place to meet like-minded individuals who want to learn and grow personally and professionally.  We do this by providing tools and services, training and education, resources, and a positive social network to share ideas, explore opportunities.  We want everyone to reach a higher level of prosperity, benefit society, and unlock their innate potential for goodness, compassion, and sharing.

 

DIIP: When and why did you start this group/organization?

CTN:  As an entrepreneur myself, I have been to my fair share of networking groups.  Some just meet at a bar. Some are only focused on the moderator and no one gets a word in edgewise.  Some are just sell-a-thons looking to pitch products to their attendees.  I'm pretty sure many people reading this can relate to that.  I wanted to offer something more for everyone out there as I know how difficult it can be for someone starting and running their own business.  So in 2010, when the organizers of the group asked me to take it over, I gladly accepted the challenge.  Our events are now value driven events which combine networking, training, education, and support.  We cater to our members needs and our focus is providing value to the attendees.

 

DIIP: What type of events do you have and how often are they held (i.e. pitch parties, seminars, conferences, happy hours)?

CTN:  We have at least one monthly meeting which is value driven and combines networking and training.  Our networking consists of speed networking, open networking, or a combination style.  And we provide training through group discussions, special guest speakers, or mastermind panels.  We also hold socials and other networking events and are always looking for more avenues to provide value to our members.

 

DIIP: What is your value proposition to those that attend?

CTN:  Our value proposition is the meeting itself.  Everyone gets to introduce themselves and their business at the start of the meeting (and even if they show up a little late).  Everyone gets to participate and learn something.  And we allow open networking before and after meetings so people can start building relationships.  There are no hard sales or pitches and we support each other through in-depth discussions.

 

DIIP: What makes your group unique or different from other groups?

CTN:  What makes our group unique is that we combine so many different factors to provide value to individuals and allow everyone exposure for their business.  We are a very intimate group - even when we have large numbers attend.  We are a very open, discussion oriented group that looks to provide value to everyone.

 

DIIP: Why do you think it is so important for people to go out to your events and “do it in person?”

CTN:  True business is about building relationships and while you can start building relationship online using the proper social networking tools, it's not until you meet in person and have that "human" interaction that you can truly develop strong relationships.  We are providing the tools to meet out of our events and the events themselves are really designed to solidify those relationships.  So get yourself out to one of the meetings now.

DIIP: Describe the ideal attendee to your events.

CTN: The ideal attendee at our events is someone who currently has their own business and has had some success and some failures.  They are looking to learn from the group while providing value to the group.  They are not looking to make a quick sale - instead, they are looking to build long-term relationships with other members.  They are curious, motivated, and energetic with a strong sense of integrity and commitment.

DIIP: How has your group evolved since you started it?

CTN:  Our group has grown since I took over.  We are continuing to expand and develop internal trainings and education for our members.  We are much more active, meet more, and provide more value.  And we've got a lot more coming.

DIIP: What other benefits, if any, do you offer outside of your events (i.e. discounts, mentoring, etc.)?

CTN:  We are currently developing an Entrepreneurial Certification track which will teach individuals the basics of being a successful Entrepreneur and Small Business Owner.  We are also developing a members’ only website with additional trainings, resources, tools, and support materials.  This is going to be extremely powerful and also allow our members to interact more closely outside of our events.

 

The group is constantly changing and looking for good help.  We are always looking for sponsors and people who are willing to learn, grow, and develop on a higher level by helping us organize and run events.  While there is a time commitment involved, the returns on education, growth, and additional exposure for your business far outweigh the commitment and are a bargain compared to what you would have to pay to learn everything you get.  Learn by doing and surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals.  And as Zig Ziglar once said, "Help enough people get what they want and you'll get what you want."  That's the core of what this group is about.

 

To learn more about The Chicago Entrepreneur Meetup Group, please email Chaffee-Thanh Nguyen at Chaffee@ChicagoEntrepreneurMeetup.com. You can also follow The Chicago Entrepreneur Meetup Group on twitter: @chientrepreneur or via Facebook at www.facebook.com/chicagoentrepreneurmeetup.

 

If you would like to have your group featured on the Do It In Person blog, please email aron@doitinperson.com.

As November is quickly approaching, we just wanted to share a quick update with you on Do It In Person and our re-launch.  We have spent the past few weeks speaking to people; event attendees, organizers and venues owners, and have had countless people take our survey on events. We have used the data we’ve collected to add new features and tools to the website to give the users an unprecedented, yet simple to use, platform that will help empower the experience of an event.  We are super excited to be able to share a bit more information with you over the next month or two as we gear up for our launch.

 

We are also launching two new categories on our blog over the next month. The first, “Places to do it in person,” will share information on venues and event planning from the venue perspective. The second will be “How to do it in person,” with tips on creating events, how to maximize the value of an event and how to take the event with you when you leave. Both of these are essential pieces to the do it in person experience and hope they add value to our readers. If you would like to recommend a venue or want to share your tips on how to do it in person, please email us at aron@doitinperson.com.

 

Lastly, we are planning our next networking event in New York for early December. Last one was a lot of fun and had some great people in attendance. We are working to not only grow the event in size, but the quality of the attendees as well. We look forward to seeing you there and sharing more news with you soon.

We recently interviewed Kerry Bannigan, founder of Nolcha, about her company events and the value of the “in person” experience as part of their business. Nolcha is an award-winning promotional, events and retail platform specializing in independent fashion designers; offering a fashion week program in New York and London, social e-commerce and pop up shops.

 

DIIP: As a company in the fashion industry, how have in person events helped in shaping your companies identity?

KB: Meeting in person allows us to connect with our clients and for them to feel comfortable about our personalities and overall ability to deliver the project for their brand. Our in person events have become a reliable platform for fashion business networking; enabling us to be one of the leading business hubs for the independent fashion market.

 

DIIP: What types of events do you run and how often do they occur?

KB: Nolcha Fashion Week: New York is our landmark event held in February and September, simultaneously to New York Fashion Week. This includes runway shows, accessory/apparel exhibition and networking events. We also partner with relevant business and/or fashion organizations throughout the year to host networking events.

 

DIIP: What types of people are attracted to and attend your events?

KB: Our events are B-2-B focused for fashion industry professionals including designers, stylists, retailers, press and service providers. In addition we attract companies that want to connect with our niche demographic to advertise their product.

 

DIIP: Most people think of fashion events as runway shows and glamorous after parties for stars. How do you take events like this and make them relevant and meaningful for the attendees?

KB: Nolcha combines the glamour of a city hot spot venue with the introduction of the latest products while remembering that our guests are professionals trying to grow their business and networks. Our guests are relevant to each other’s businesses and they know when attending our events they are meeting fashion business contacts.

 

DIIP: What would you say is unique and recognized as a “Nolcha” event?

KB: Nolcha Fashion Week: New York is recognized as a hub to showcase and discover independent fashion designers from around the world. Our event is a turnkey solution for designers providing hair, makeup, models, production, guests and PR support; allowing designers to focus on their collection.

 

DIIP: How have your events evolved since you started running them?

KB: Each season we increase our attendees, press coverage and designers. Over time we have created a series of initiatives that are relevant to the industry needs.

 

DIIP: How do you measure the success of an event?

KB: Success of Nolcha Fashion Week: New York is measured on a variety of aspects including client satisfaction, press coverage and attendee’s levels. It is important to us to deliver well for our sponsor brands and designers ensuring that our brand message aligns with theirs.

 

DIIP: Why do you think that it is so important for your audience to have an in person experience?

KB: In person experiences alleviate some concerns about people you will work with, a sense of connecting occurs in person that phone, video and email cannot achieve. Additionally the fashion industry need to view collections and this is definitely done better in person where retailers and media can feel the textures, see the cuts and meet the designers.

 

DIIP: As with every event, there is an element of networking that makes these events so valuable. How do you ensure that the appropriate networking is taking place at your events?

KB: Our events are focused on a niche demographic and naturally this keeps the attendee’s relevant. Also as our events are seasonally based this helps the appropriate discussions.

 

DIIP: What tip would you give to someone going to you event on how to make it a successful event for themselves?

KB: Have an elevator speech about your work, bring business cards, bring a portfolio if you are a designer to show relevant contacts your work and remember to respect people’s space. If you meet a member of the media or a desired retailer they will take your information and contact you if they are interested, they do not necessary want to give out their contact information.

 

To learn more about Nolcha and their Nolcha Fashion Week: New York, you can visit their website at www.nolchafashionweek.com. You can also follow them on facebook (www.facebook.com/nolcha) and twitter (@missnolcha).

 

To have your organization featured on the Do It In Person blog, please email aron@doitinperson.com.

We recently interviewed Lindsey Mask about the national organization she recently started, Ladies America. Ladies America is a national young women's professional networking organization aimed at helping women advance personally and professionally.  With the motto "Women Helping Women," members of Ladies America chapters are connecting and engaging in new and dynamic ways. The concept is spreading quickly across the country, simultaneously allowing Ladies America to generate a national voice for a select market and demographic of women.

 

DIIP: When and why did you start this group/organization?

LM:  Ladies America was originally founded in Washington, D.C. as "Ladies DC" in a personal effort of mine to connect with professional women in a purposeful way and to combat the theory of old that women don't work together.  Maintaining and keeping ever at the forefront our motto "Women Helping Women," we have all been witness to the amazing transformation that occurs when women are provided an avenue to help one another in a mutually beneficial setting.

 

DIIP: What type of events do you have and how often are they held (i.e. pitch parties, seminars, conferences, happy hours)?

LM:  We host between two and six events per month, ranging from community partnerships with prominent organizations and events in various cities, member networking happy hours, speaker series, dinners, brunches, book launches, and an annual women's conference called "Women Leading the Future."

 

DIIP: What is your value proposition to those that attend?

LM:  Members are:

• Connected to like-minded, savvy professional women in a variety of industries, which strengthens their individual personal networks.
• Encouraged to help one another become even more successful, learning a valuable lesson that united together, arm-in-arm, women can achieve much more than they could individually.
• Offered direct access to top-tier networking events, educational opportunities, and prominent partner organizations.
• Provided discounts in services, event and conference ticket fees, health, beauty, fitness, and more.
• Provided a local city community in otherwise difficult environments to find a network of trusted, engaging young women.  Additionally, cities are now able to connect with one another, creating a national network unlike any other.

 

DIIP: What makes your group unique or different from other groups?

LM:  Ladies America and the chapter cities create a real, tangible community for young, professional women with a clear win-win mentality in all efforts.  The most unique offering is the newly developing national networking opportunities, whereby city chapters are able to connect and engage for the greater good and advancement of women as a whole.

 

DIIP: Why do you think it is so important for people to go out to your events and “do it in person?”

LM:  In an age of texts, emails, online posts, Tweets, and every other quick means of mass or passive communication, Do It In Person is offering a traditional, but ironically novel, opportunity to gather together in person and connect in the most basic but influential way.  Remember, it isn't what people say that people remember, it is how they made a person feel.  That can truly only be achieved in person.

 

DIIP: Describe the ideal attendee to your events.

LM:   While we don't have limitations of age or profession for members, we have found that typical demographic includes women ages 23-40 with undergraduate, graduate, or Ph.Ds. and working in a variety of industries, including business, politics, education, design, art, finance, associations, marketing and communications, law, and there are several business owners.

DIIP: How has your group evolved since you started it?

LM: Ironically, Ladies DC (original Ladies America chapter) actually began as Ladies Dinner Club, a simple dinner meeting opportunity for professional women to gather outside of work and form viable relationships.  It evolved into a fully functioning organization with a national network and subsequent Boards, partnerships, sponsorships, and so much more.

DIIP: What other benefits, if any, do you offer outside of your events (i.e. discounts, mentoring, etc.)?

LM:   Discounts are available through the network and through community partnerships.

 

We also have developed (beginning with Washington, D.C.) a mentoring program, which currently has 35 mentors working with over 70 mentees.

 

Please check out our new Board of Advisors for Ladies America!

Ladies America is holding its next event on XXX. To register, please visit: XXXX.

 

To learn more about Ladies America, please email Lindsey Mask at Lindsey@LadiesDC.com. You can also follow Ladies America on twitter: @LadiesAmerica or via Facebook at www.facebook.com/LadiesAmerica.

 

If you would like to have your group featured on the Do It In Person blog, please email aron@doitinperson.com.

We recently interviewed Roger Wu and Kelly Hadous about their group Stamford Tech Meetup.

 

The Stamford Tech Meetup is an opportunity for "techies" and folks interested in technology an opportunity to demo their technology, network, and learn what's new in the tech community. We have 5 minute demos and questions afterward.

 

DIIP: When and why did you start this group/organization?

RW and KH:  We thought Fairfield County was missing out somewhat on the after-work tech scene, which is so strong in NYC. We knew there was a thriving community of technologists, venture capitalists, and folks who just love tech in Stamford and the surrounding area. We organized this group over a year ago, and it's going strong. We are really the only game in town as far as this type of meetup is concerned.

 

DIIP: Who or what was the catalyst for STAM?

RW and KH: Kelly is from CT and thought Fairfiled County was ripe for starting a tech meetup.

 

DIIP: What type of events do you have and how often are they held (i.e. pitch parties, seminars, conferences, happy hours)?

RW and KH:  Stamford Tech meets monthly at Tiernan's, and it's always on the last Monday of the month.

 

DIIP: What is your value proposition to those that attend?

RW and KH:  Exposure and we feel mainly the value is in the people that attend.

 

DIIP: What makes your group unique or different from other groups?

RW and KH:  Although it's definitely unique unto itself, we bring a little bit of the NY tech vibe to Stamford, CT. It's a win win for us and the community.

 

DIIP: Why do you think it is so important for people to go out to your events and “do it in person?”

RW and KH:  To find out what's going on in someone else's backyard.

 

Stamford Tech Meetup is holding its next event on Monday Oct 24th at 7pm at Tiernan's, 187 Main Street, downtown Stamford CT. To register, please visit: http://www.meetup.com/The-Stamford-Tech-Meetup/.

 

To learn more about Stamford Tech Meetup, please email Kelly Hadous at kellyhadous@gmail.com.

 

If you would like to have your group featured on the Do It In Person blog, please email info@doitinperson.com.

We recently interviewed Aaron Price about his meetup, the NJ Tech Meetup. The NJTech Meetup is NJ's fastest growing startup community with over 1000 members.  It hosts monthly meetings with networking, startup pitches, and notable feature speakers.

 

DIIP: When and why did you start this group/organization?

AP:  I started NJTech 15 months ago in order to organize the community of entrepreneurs in NJ.  As a startup entrepreneur myself (check out www.makemania.com and www.craftermania.com), talking with other founders keeps me motivated and, with so many entrepreneurs in NJ, it just made so much sense to start NJTech.  I thrive on hearing new ideas and stories from founders and just learning about technology in general.  NJTech was started as a forum to do just that.

 

DIIP: What type of events do you have and how often are they held (i.e. pitch parties, seminars, conferences, happy hours)?

AP:  We host our main event once/month, usually at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken.  It encompasses a networking speed-date session, startup presentations, and a feature speaker.  Past speakers have ranged from the ex-CEO of The Huffington Post (Eric Hippeau), to the co-founders of Razorfish (Craig Kannarick) and HotJobs (Eric Murabayashi).  We’ve also started hosting weekly workshops and networking events at the coworking space in Hoboken that was inspired by NJTech, www.Mission50.com

 

DIIP: What is your value proposition to those that attend?

AP:  Simple, it’s: Meet someone.  Learn something.

 

DIIP: What makes your group unique or different from other groups?

AP:  We are about serious entrepreneurs.  If you aren’t there to help and be helped it’s probably not a good fit for you.  The event is currently free and is normally full at 120+ attendees within a few days of the event announcement, with a waitlist quickly forming thereafter.  Our policy is that you must keep your RSVP up to date to allow in waitlisters, or you’re banned from the group.  All are welcome as long as they respect this one rule.

 

DIIP: Why do you think it is so important for people to go out to your events and “do it in person?”

AP:  The most important thing an entrepreneur can do is get out of the office (or house).  NJTech provides an opportunity to meet others, be inspired, and keep momentum behind your business.

 

NJTech is holding its next event on Monday, October 17. To register, please visit their website.

 

To learn more about NJTech, please email Aaron Price at aprice@njtech.me. You can also follow NJTech on twitter: @NJTechMe.

 

We recently interviewed Andrew Vest about his group LeadTech. LeadTech is an events company focused on leaders of technology and innovation. We bring large enterprise companies as well as new and emerging start-ups in one arena to present both sides of the spectrum. This is a fantastic opportunity to network while learning the very latest information on recent technologies advances and shifts made by several of the most innovative companies in the state.

 

DIIP: When and why did you start this group/organization?

AV:  I started LeadTech 2 years ago to network and foster professional relationships in my community with like-minded individuals.

 

DIIP: What type of events do you have and how often are they held (i.e. pitch parties, seminars, conferences, happy hours)?

AV:  I hold multiple events across various verticals. The first event is a monthly mixer or happy hour, the second is a Google Places write a review happy hour, the third is an annual large Tech Event with 600+ attendees, the fourth is an executive networking event which I only invite 40 local C-Level executives  for scotch and/or wine tastings.

 

DIIP: What is your value proposition to those that attend?

AV:  Depends on the event but the underlined benefit is expanding your professional network amongst your peers.

 

DIIP: What makes your group unique or different from other groups?

AV:  Once again depends on the event but I've built a strong following so every event doesn't just bring anyone it's normally top tier talents from all industries.

 

DIIP: Why do you think it is so important for people to go out to your events and “do it in person?”

AV:  You can't build a professional relationship with a profile on a computer. You have to get out put a face with a name and shake some hands. I can open up a door with a potential client by sending him an awesome email but the guy who has a beer with that potential client will ultimately close the deal.

 

LeadTech is holding its next Eastside networking event on September 21, 2011. To register, please visit: http://eneevent.eventbrite.com/.

 

To learn more about LeadTech, please email Andrew Vest at vest31@gmail.com. You can also follow LeadTech on twitter: @LeadTechEvents.

 

If you would like to have your group featured on the Do It In Person blog, please email info@doitinperson.com.