St. Louis Area Networking Group
Better Together Networking is a networking group in the St. Louis, MO area, striving to bring for-profit and nonprofit professionals together to bridge the gap between businesses and the greater St. Louis area community.
The Mission
Better Together Networking’s mission is to create a network of professionals who are dedicated to excellence and growth as business owners and community members. Basically, they’re all coming together to not only become better business owners, but also to become better humans.
How It Began
We started as a small group with several creative services business owners and a nonprofit executive director. We quickly realized that even though we did different things, we each put our heart and souls into what we were doing. And our efforts together made more of an impact than what we were accomplishing separately. For example, one person had a connection for that person, or another had knowledge or experience that would help the other. The bottom line—we were better together. That’s where the name for Better Together Networking came from.” — Mindy Schoeneman, co-founder of Better Together Networking
The networking group was formed in Spring of 2016. The founders, who are now committee members, built a group to meet other like-minded professionals interested in learning from experts, giving back to the community, and committed to forging new connections.
Networking in St. Louis
In the St. Louis area, Better Together Networking has carved out its own identity as a group that balances education, networking, and community. At each meeting, a speaker is presented to educate members on a business-related topic and items are collected for donation to an area nonprofit. Then, the meeting is opened up for networking among members and visitors.
Better Together Networking is a single-chapter organization that meets along the I-44 corridor to be as conveniently located to its members as possible. BTN is an industry-exclusive group, offering membership to those whose industry are not already represented by current members.
The group meets on the second Tuesday of every month. Attendance is strongly encouraged because relationship-based networking doesn’t work unless individuals attend meetings to build those relationships.
Expert-Level Speakers
There were two key reasons that Better Together was formed. One of those reasons was affordable business education. Better Together has featured a speaker at each of its meetings since launch. Those speakers have each been an expert in their industry, speaking on topics ranging from building a financial foundation, public speaking, entrepreneurial success, to cold calling and asking for the sale.
The group will be hearing from more speakers on topics such as marketing strategy, branding, building a legal foundation and contracts, social media, and much more.
Each meeting featuring an expert-level speaker is only $5 per person to attend. No tickets necessary.
If you have a topic or speaker in mind, let BTN know.
Giving Back to Nonprofits
The other driving force behind the creation of BTN was the group’s desire to make connections with nonprofit organizations throughout the greater St. Louis area. Nonprofits need to network to thrive and grow, too. A great way to connect with nonprofits is to dig in and understand just what it is that nonprofit does for the community.
And of course, once you get to know a nonprofit director, you can’t help but want to give and further that nonprofit’s mission. So, BTN is dedicated to finding and learning about nonprofits in the region and discovering ways that each member can contribute.
Every meeting, the group brings in something that an area nonprofit needs.
If you are or know of an nonprofit who would be interested in attending a BTN, check out the footer below for more information on the upcoming meetings.