The meeting was over, but no one seemed quite ready to leave.

As I walked outside Deviant Kava after the first meeting of the KC Connector Collective, I saw members still standing around talking and getting to know one another. What struck me wasn't simply that people were networking. It was how quickly they seemed to genuinely connect.

That was exactly what I had hoped for when I decided to start the group.

Why I Started the KC Connector Collective

The idea began after I attended a BNI open house. I liked the concept of bringing professionals from different industries together to build relationships and generate referrals. The particular group I visited didn't have an opening in my professional category, and I wasn't sure the cost made sense for me.

It did, however, get me thinking.

What if I created something free?

I wanted a networking group that was collaborative and useful—a place where Kansas City-area professionals could learn from one another, exchange ideas, build relationships, and eventually feel confident referring business to each other.

The result was the KC Connector Collective.

The group meets once a month, on the third Thursday at 9 a.m., and membership is free. We allow one member from each business category so members aren't competing against one another within the group.

And while I originally imagined a mixture of newer and veteran business owners, our membership so far has leaned heavily toward people who are still building their businesses and professional networks. I'm beginning to think that may be one of the group's strengths. We have an opportunity to learn and grow together.

What We Did at Our First Meeting

For our first meeting, we had professionals representing pest control, tree service, mortgage lending, insurance, direct mail marketing, and real estate.

We also have members representing a boutique, home inspection, and interior design/home staging who weren't able to attend the first meeting, and we're welcoming a pet waste removal company next month.

After introductions and a discussion about the group's purpose and expectations, we moved into our first educational topic: Google Business Profile.

For a small local business, being good at what you do isn't enough if people can't find you.

We talked about making sure basic business information is accurate, clearly describing services, adding current photos, and keeping a Google Business Profile active rather than treating it as something you create once and forget about. We also discussed how business owners can repurpose content they're already creating instead of constantly trying to invent something new.

One of the simple formulas I shared was:

Photo + Short Message + Call to Action

A Google Business Profile update doesn't need to be complicated. Recent projects, helpful tips, frequently asked questions, events, seasonal information, offers, and photos from your business can all become useful updates.

Learning From Each Other

I don't want the KC Connector Collective to be a group where I stand at the front of the room and talk at everyone.

I want members participating.

During the meeting, I used Mentimeter to ask questions, collect responses, and help guide our discussion. Members chose marketing as an area they wanted to explore, which led to conversations about social media, direct mail, and other ways we're trying to reach customers.

Some people shared strategies that were working for them. Others talked about things they wanted to improve.

That's exactly the kind of exchange I want the group to provide.

No single small-business owner knows everything about marketing, technology, networking, customer service, referrals, or running a business. But put professionals from different industries in the same room, and suddenly everyone brings something different to the conversation.

More Than Passing Business Cards

We intentionally left time at the end of the meeting simply to network.

And that's probably the part I'll remember most.

People exchanged information, shared ideas, learned more about one another, and continued talking after the meeting was officially over.

Seeing everyone outside Deviant Kava getting along so quickly made me feel like we were building something with real potential.

I left our first meeting proud.

There is still plenty of work to do—and apparently one of those things may be finding a larger meeting space sooner than I anticipated—but that's a pretty good problem for a brand-new networking group to have.

Connecting Business and Community in Kansas City

As a Kansas City REALTOR®, building relationships with other local professionals also matters to the way I serve my clients.

Real estate doesn't exist in a vacuum. Homeowners and buyers need lenders, inspectors, insurance professionals, contractors, service providers, designers, and countless other local businesses. Being connected to trustworthy professionals throughout the Kansas City area makes me a better resource for the people I serve.

That's another reason I'm excited to see where the KC Connector Collective goes.

My goal isn't simply to make the group bigger. I want to build it thoughtfully.

We're currently accepting new members, but because we allow only one member per business category, I'm intentional about making sure new members are a good fit. I'm looking for people who will participate, collaborate, share what they know, and build relationships—not simply show up to sell something to the rest of the room.

If you're a Kansas City-area business owner or professional and that sounds like the kind of networking you've been looking for, text me at 316-641-9921 and tell me a little about what you do.

We'll see if there's a place for you in the KC Connector Collective.

And if our first meeting was any indication, I may need to start looking for a bigger room.