FLASHBACK: Covid Hit My Business Hard, So I Had to Steal From My Church to Survive

After a devastating loss of 90% in revenue due to the pandemic, it took drastic moves for my business networking company to rebound with a more grand vision and endless possibilities.

Nov 24, 2023

The pandemic in 2020 caught most everyone by surprise and the rapid spread of Covid-19 hit my company harder than most.

Across the country, I had to shut down every single one of my business networking groups and in-person networking events which accounted for the majority of my business.

Up until that point, I had been running a traditional business networking company, Tipclub, for nearly 15 years and was “successful enough” to make a living yet there was no significant growth.

My Old Business Was Toast

With the rapid spread of Covid in 2020, my traditional business networking groups were quickly decimated. I had to find some fresh ideas and new concepts … and fast!

One Sunday morning while I watched my church’s service on TV (attending church in-person was still prohibited during the pandemic), I started to hear words and phrases that stuck with me. Phrases like “Help others”, “Live on purpose”, “Small group support”, “Get connected”, “Build life-changing relationships” and other intuitive words of wisdom that began to really sink in with me.

It brought on an epiphany. Could some of these concepts be applied to my business?

Was it possible that I could I “steal” these ideas and practices from my church to design a new business model that would change how people have been networking and connecting for the past hundred years?

In other words, could these powerful messages on selflessly connecting, serving others, and building healthy relationships (“Iron sharpens iron”) I’ve been continuously hearing at my church really make a difference in the business world?

Could they actually help my business survive the pandemic?

One thing was certain: my old business was toast. I had to move on or lose everything.

A New Business Is Born

If my old business was burnt toast, then my new business had to be as new and reinvigorating as a fresh loaf of bread just removed from the oven.

I had to reinvent myself and reengineer my company. I had to create a new vision that was clear and my purpose well-defined.

I got to work and created a new business plan. I designed innovative systems and developed new strategies. I took careful notice of what worked at my church to unite people and overcome the horrible pandemic.

Over the next couple years, I took bold measures and made risky moves to relaunch my business. Here are a few examples:

Launched an app that helps build life-changing relationships
Designed the 4 P’s of our Strategic Networking Model – Purpose, Plan, Personalization, and People
Formed small groups for people to get connected for networking and support
Introduced a new “People Helping People” slogan

One key component kept reappearing in everything I did - the importance and value of relationships.

It’s All About Relationships

Most of us have heard of the profound yet simplistic KISS principal – Keep It Simple, Stupid!

It wasn’t long before I introduced the new FORE principal – Focus On Relationships, Endlessly!

Always focus on your relationships – in all forms, at all stages, and at all times throughout your career, and life, from beginning to end. Why?

Just look at the missions of the most effective churches, fastest-growing businesses, and most successful organizations in the world. They always seem to focus on helping people and building relationships.

I’ll admit, my “old” business networking company focused on bringing professionals together to practice exclusivity, pitch themselves, and sell their products and services.

Now, my “new” strategic networking company focuses on connecting supportive people, strengthening real relationships, and building robust communities.

Did It Work?

Time will tell, but the numbers are rapidly rising. Our revenues almost tripled from 2021 to 2022 and are projected to double again in 2023.

This past year, I launched new courses, apps, blogs, podcasts, groups, and workshops that focus on connecting people and building relationships.

On top of that, I actually go to work every day with a new energy, an inspired vision, and a new sense of … purpose.

And having a purpose is the difference between making a living and making a life.

Upcoming Events

Interested in growing your business network and sharing knowledge?

Check out our upcoming events:

Local Business Networking Meetings: https://www.tipclub.co/events
Government Networking Event: https://gov-jan-2024.eventbrite.com
LinkedIn Workshop: https://LinkedIn-jan-2024.eventbrite.com

Week 9 of “The Experiment”

As I reflect here on day 64 of the 100 Days of Social Networking Experiment and enjoy the Thanksgiving Holiday with my family, I feel a tremendous amount of gratitude. I’m so thankful for the people in my life and the experiences I’ve encountered.

Here are some of the Networking Tips I posted this past week on social media: