Small business owners can benefit from networking with like-minded individuals. While going to trade shows and other industry events may be helpful to connect with local businesses, there are opportunities to network with supportive groups right at your fingertips.
Here’s a list, in alphabetical order, of 10 networking groups for entrepreneurs.
Business Networking International (BNI)
The world’s largest referral networking organization, BNI has had 12.3 million referrals in the last year alone. The professional referral marketing program helps members create long-term, meaningful professional relationships. New members can find a local chapter and attend meetings to kick-start their network of referrals. When in-person meetings aren’t possible, BNI Online is an alternative online meeting platform for members.
Chief
Chief is focused on supporting women in business with an exclusive membership network and is dedicated to women executive leaders. This organization offers a Rolodex of vetted professional peers, whether they own a Fortune 50 company or a growing startup. Chief offers peer support in the form of community groups and member meetups, master classes, and exclusive access to insights from business leaders and cultural icons.
Entrepreneurs’ Organization
Branded as the only peer-to-peer networking group for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs, the Entrepreneurs’ Organization has over 16,500 diverse leaders in over 60 countries. The not-for-profit group aims to unlock entrepreneurs’ full potential and move the world forward by giving its members access to the world’s top experts in business. Through collaborative learning, shared experiences, and professional —and personal—life-enhancing connections, this global community can help you achieve your full potential.
[Read more: How to Network to Grow Your Small Business]
Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN)
Operating in 180 countries, the GEN is focused on helping anyone start a business anywhere. Fostering deeper connections with entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, policymakers, and entrepreneurial support organizations, GEN creates healthier business ecosystems. The extensive global footprint of this organization allows members to have uncommon access to relevant resources.
Looking for a mentor to help you navigate the business world? SCORE will match you with a business expert near you to help you with your business.
Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)
Focusing on economic prosperity for all American business enterprises, the MBDA provides programs, services, and initiatives aimed at helping minority business entrepreneurs grow and preparing them for the business world of tomorrow. The U.S. Department of Commerce agency is the only of its kind dedicated to the growth and global competitiveness of minority businesses.
The National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE)
Representing hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs and micro-businesses (10 employees or fewer), NASE is focused on providing small businesses with benefits and resources that are commonly only available to large corporations. NASE offers how-to resources with educational benefits and tools, including value-added benefits like legal help, home office insurance, credit cards, legislative advocacy, and even college scholarships.
[Read more: Why Online Networking Matters for SMEs]
Social Enterprise Alliance (SEA)
SEA’s focus is to help social enterprises become more sustainable and grow to make a larger impact. The organization offers support by advocating for change, creating awareness, and providing resources for its members to grow their revenue and impact. SEA has proven to put people and the planet above shareholder gain.
SCORE
Looking for a mentor to help you navigate the business world? SCORE will match you with a business expert near you to help you with your business—whatever its stage might be. The nonprofit organization is the nation’s largest network of expert business volunteers focused on helping small business owners achieve their goals. In addition to mentoring, SCORE offers webinars and courses on demand, as well as a library of online resources.
Vistage
Connecting the most successful CEOs of small and midsize businesses, Vistage creates the connection for collaboration to share expertise, build lifelong leadership excellence, and challenge one another to think critically. The CEO peer advisory groups are made up of 12–16 CEOs or local business owners from different markets. The members of these groups support one another by looking for blind spots, vetting ideas, and troubleshooting problems.
Young Entrepreneurs Council (YEC)
Finding a community of people on similar professional journeys with the same mindset can be difficult. Even more challenging is finding those people at a young age when your business endeavors are just starting out. The YEC provides a vetted community of young entrepreneur peers to provide insights on growing your business and overcoming challenges.
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