The development of online communities (facebook, linkedIn, twitter, BizWhiz etc) has opened the door like never before for small business to instantly and easily connect with customers.  Increasingly, “networking” and “connecting” are being replaced by “marketing” and “sales” in many communities.  In turn, natural, evolving  social connections which drive long term customer relationships and friendships are being replaced with product/service messages shouted in 140 characters or less. No question, marketing and sales are survival elements for a small business.  However, planning, financing,  relationship building, education, personal growth and HR management  are some of the many basic business fundamentals that shape long term entrepreneurial leadership.

 My team has taken great care to provide members with ample opportunity to showcase their company product/service offerings via their profile descriptions, event postings and by posting a commercial storefront in BizCity.  You love your product/service offering others may or may not.  Personally, I believe an entrepreneur's story is far more interesting than their products or services.  The services my company offers are quite ho hum (until we dress them up with our marketig of course!) and appeal to a small fraction of the marketplace.  Myself and my company, on the other hand, have some crazy stories about how we evolved, who we have met, stuff we have learned and mistakes we have made along the way.  I would like to learn what makes our members keep going, and how they came to be CEO's and leaders and business startups! This site provides members with so many ways to share insights, mentor new businesses, ask questions and learn how to engage in coversation with others online. 

The new "Forums" feature provides members with a perfect opportunity to come together in the exchange of entrepreneurial knowledge.  We have created a "suggestion box" that members can use to post their ideas for forum topics.  We'll be creating a few forums ourselves and counting on our members to give us some great ideas too!!

It's my hope that members find ways to connect together for growth that goes beyond the next sale. Don't we see enough commercials already?

Linda Griffioen

CEO