MENTION NETWORKING and you’re bound to hear a few sighs and moans. Except for the more extroverted in nature, mingling and speaking to a group about your business may be preferred over a dental appointment – barely. But Third Thursday Together is not your average networking group.
Originally the local chapter of the Middle Tennessee Business Networking Group (founded by Tom and Nakai Waynick, active members of the current group), COVID caused the group to unravel. Earlier this year it was decided that everyone would like to get together again but preferred not to meet as often or as formally as before. Rose Ramirez was chosen to spearhead the new group.
The first meeting was May 20, 2021, over breakfast, and it has continued on the third Thursday of each month. Using the meeting date as part of their group’s name leaves no one with an excuse to forget when the meetings are held. Meetings begin at 8:00 a.m., usually last an hour, and are held at The Coffee Break unless a field trip has been planned in advance to a member’s business location. Their Christmas party was hosted by Linda Nichols and held at First Community Bank in December and included fun, food, and games.
Average attendance at this time is 15, but it can be more or less depending on everyone’s schedule. “We’re a pretty intimate group right now, but it’s amazing how many connections you can make with a group our size,” Ramirez said, adding that the whole idea is to give one another referrals by either doing business with each other or referring friends and coworkers back to the businesses of the other members.
Ramirez personally knows the value of these referrals. When she first moved to the community, she offered pet-sitting services but because she wasn’t local, people were naturally unsure of whether or not they could confidently leave their pets with her. Networking caused her business to grow by word of mouth. “Consistency in meeting attendance is the key to success,” she said.
The meetings contain a variety of presentations, rather than solely describing the services provided by each attending member’s business.
“That way we’re not always giving our elevator speeches, because that gets a little old,” Ramirez laughed. The roundtable may also include letting everyone know what a good referral would be and giving kudos to members that have helped with connections. Guest speakers also present programs on professional development topics from time to time.
The types of businesses represented within the group vary from larger cor- porations, like the local hospital and area banks, to independent and start-up busi- nesses. New members are welcome and there are no annual dues or formalities. Check out their Facebook, Third Thurs- day Together – a Business Networking Group, for more information and up- coming meetings. You can also contact Ramirez at roseramirezambassador@ gmail.com (931) 224-3060 or Linda Nichols at lnichols@first-community.net or (931) 684-5800. -GN
