Getting Connected

Getting Connected in my Community

Though my coaching business technically was started in March 2005, I launched into it full time in August 2005 when we moved to Apex, NC from Long Island.

Here I was in a new city where I knew not a single person (except for my husband of course). Luckily I had a great coach who encouraged (well maybe challenged) me to get out in the community and start meeting people. Well, to the still relatively shy me, that was out of my comfort zone. I realized I had a choice. While my body/mind wanted me to stay nice and invisible (comfortable) in my house, in my heart and soul I new it was time to make the leap and get out into this new world (literally and figuratively)

Fortunately, in my community there is a never ending array of business groups and community groups to get involved in. So what did I do? I tried everything!

Luckily, in the Raleigh area there was (and is) an abundance of opportunities to get connected in the community.  Here are some I experienced

Volunteered at Retails Thrift Store in Raleigh one day per week for several months – here I was in my element (as a thrift store junkie) and felt useful (as I was slowly building my business) and was able to meet some great people – one of whom years later became a client, colleague and friend.

Volunteered at Marbles Museum – for just one day – there I met some great people, one who later invited me to present a few workshops at the Raleigh Jaycees – this same person also connected me to a coach she knew (more on that in a future post)

Women Business Owners Network (WBON) Wake County chapter – liked that it was a small group, again met some great people, some of whom I would meet again at other groups.  I also volunteered to run Programs for this group for that first year (more on that in a later post).  PS – they also have a Cary chapter.

Chix in Business – after leaving WBON, I found Chix – a group of dynamic and creative women business owners.  I also joined that board (more on that later) Though my focus was purely to be connected to the community, the outcome included many clients and friendships.

Cary Newcomers Club – met some great women in the community through the many programs they had each month that truly focused on getting connected.  Met a woman who has become one of my closest friends here.

These were just a few of the ways I started to get connected to my community during my first year or two in business.   As you can see, I gave and received, developed some wonderful friendships and built my visibility at the same time.


UncategorizedApril 20th, 2015Reply