I Think Networking Needs a Recess— 2026 Collab Celebration

Day 12 of 30 days of writing something every day.

I co-hosted the first seasonal Collaborative event with Bon Temps Event Planning & Design, and it was a BLAST. We are talking a beautifully designed night at Forest Grove in Denham Springs with custom cocktails, a photo booth, an ornament station, and plenty of reasons to celebrate.

Women and men gathered, laughed, and cheers’ed to another year of being business owners. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. A perfect way to kick off this annual tradition of bringing people in small business together to celebrate closing out the year!

One thing came up repeatedly since last year’s event 👉 people were excited about the idea of a more networking-forward event next year.

That got me thinking.

What I’ve gathered from 7+ years in business is that people want to make meaningful connections through networking. The discomfort usually comes from not knowing exactly what “networking” means at the particular event you signed up for.

• Are you supposed to walk around and introduce yourself to strangers?

• How deep in are we connecting? On what premise?

• Do you bring business cards?

• Are you expected to pitch yourself?

• How long are you supposed to talk to someone?

And, perhaps most importantly… what if you’re terrible at this?

So, for year two, I’m thinking about doing networking a little differently.

Welcome to the Collaborative playground.

Think schoolyard nostalgia, but for grown ups who own, support, or work alongside small businesses.

I want to create a night where networking is intentionally built in, structured without being stiff, and fun without requiring you to deciding how.

If you’re willing to play our schoolgirl games in the name of some good old-fashioned “hold-your-hand” networking, you’re welcome on our playground.

The idea is simple 👉

• Short bursts of intentional networking.

• Easy, nostalgic games and tactile little projects that give you something to do while you talk to someone.

• Plenty of time to hang out with the people you came with— or the people you meet while you’re there.

• A room full of people who are open to actually connecting with other people.

• And a mix of people from different corners of the small business ecosystem.

That means business owners and their supporting partners. Bankers, financial professionals, bookkeepers, coaches, educators, attorneys, contractors, and other professionals who support small businesses.

Nonprofit organizers who want to build better relationships with the businesses they approach for support.

And anyone who has ever thought 👉

I want to learn more about small businesses and how to better support the community through what I do.

I want to network, but I’m not sure what I’m supposed to say.

I wish someone would just make it easy to talk to people.

That’s the point.

I don’t want you standing in a room holding a drink and wondering who you’re supposed to talk to. I want to give you a reason to talk to someone.

I want you to leave remembering their name, what they do, and maybe even the ridiculous thing you had to do together to start the conversation.

And yes, there will still be cocktails and mocktails because we’re celebrating another year of small business ownership and supporting the people who make our local business community what it is.

I’m eager to host another night of collaborating for women and men in business across the Greater Baton Rouge area.

A night where you don’t have to wonder what to talk about. A night where you can have some fun, meet people you probably wouldn’t have met otherwise, and walk away with connections you’ll actually remember.

If this sounds like your kind of networking, make sure you’re on my email list.

SUBSCRIBE 👉 [ http://eepurl.com/jkROn2 ]

That’s where I’ll share the details when the next Collaborative event comes together— including when tickets go on sale. Because if we’re going to call it a playground, you should probably know when recess starts.