Last night was a lot of fun!  I’d like to thank everyone who contributed to a fun night of bowling, cocktailing, chatting and connecting. I was really happy to meet new and old friends, all hoping to be creative in this great city!  Special thanks to Mahall’s 20 Lanes for letting us take over the bar and lanes and Suzanne of Suzuran Photography.   We’re all about creating connections and I hope everyone walked away feeling like they have a community to support them in their endeavors!

Come out and join us at Indie Foundry’s Create + Connect Happy Hour!

Who it’s for:  Creatives and Professionals who want to connect, engage and grow their businesses.

Why we’re different:  We’ve built our business on the belief that authentic connection is gained through transparency, bonding, and just being yourself.  We do fun things, but we also discuss those tough topics like “When do I know it’s the right time to dump my 9-5 and pursue my dream job?”.   We also bowl, have amazing food and cocktails and generally act quite silly together!

Some please come join us, because it’s also my birthday week, and I’m bringing a special dessert!

Cheers,

Stephanie

The second in our series of building your business through off-line strategies, we tackle what may be some small business owners’ biggest fear: CONNECTING WITH OTHERS…IN PERSON!

     A great place to start is at the Create + Connect Happy Hour at the Cleveland Hostel on Tuesday, October 23rd starting at 6 pm. Or for readers in Pittsburgh, the Propelle Happy Hour at Shadow Lounge on November 13th. 

Start with the first entry in this series about creating additional “touches” through your product’s packaging.

For entrepreneurs it may be second nature to talk, talk, talk about your business. Especially if it is something you are passionate about. But for some, the thought of walking up to a stranger and talking about the one thing most near and dear to your identity, the work you create through your own personal genius, can leave dead in your tracks, standing in a cold sweat.

It’s time to break that cycle because YOU are your biggest advocate. So I implore you to MAKE CONNECTIONS.

Here are some strategies to get you started:

+ Scope out some connections that are complimentary to your business. This is a fantastic place to get started.

Are you hand etching scotch glasses and learned about a local specialty spirits distillery?

Why not create a package for the scotch aficionado?

Is your product an organic baby blanket?

Team up with a party planner who specializes in baby showers. The planner can include one of your blankets as a thank you for using her services and actually roll the cost into her fees. The hostess feels warm and cozy with a gift and her baby will reap the benefits.

Make sense?

Think about who may have a complimentary product and reach out.

+ Wear a nametag. What? Is that weird?

Maybe but it gets results. Check out this inspiring story of Scott Ginsberg who decided to wear a nametag EVERY DAY. Now you don’t have to make a nametag your favorite accessory – but do make it easy for others to learn who you are and what you do. If you are BIG on Twitter, than make that your name so others can immediately identify you and break the ice to start a conversation.

You may also want to write your business name under your own name. Simple but try it once to see how it goes.

+ Make it a priority. Connecting with others does not always sit at the top of many entrepreneurs’ lists. Especially when your day consists of working in AND on your business. How will you find the time?

Make it a priority to have coffee with one person a week who may offer you some insight into their own success or even someone you may be able to mentor or assist. When you help others identify their goals your own seem to magically become more clear.

What are your tips for connecting?  Comment below or join the conversation on our Facebook page.