Professional networking lunches are all the rage in Fredericksburg and Stafford

Date published: 2/15/2007

BY KAFIA HOSH

During a recent afternoon at King Street Blues restaurant in Stafford, local business owners gathered for a quick networking lunch.

There were personal chefs, insurance agents, spa owners and an array of other professionals who seemingly had nothing to do with one another.

But the multi-industry mingling has helped them realize their business needs, for instance when an aerial photographer and a video producer teamed up to create a commercial.

FreeNI, or Free Networking Invitational, is an informal networking program created by Free Lance-Star advertising sales representatives Dave Duke and Marty Johnson.

The duo began hosting the weekly lunches in October 2005 as a way to break out of the more structured networking groups that require fees and other commitments.

The meetings are ideal for professionals who may not always have the time to network, Duke said.

"Business should be first," he said. "We made it so that it fits in your schedule."

There are no fees or attendance requirements to join FreeNI. Members pay only for their lunches, and have one minute each to introduce themselves before they interact informally.

There are the regulars who attend most meetings, but the possibility of encountering a new face is what draws insurance agent Earl Ugalde to the lunches.

"You never know who you might meet," he said.

Other FreeNI members include new business owners such as Miko Mikeal who are eager to promote their start-ups.

Mikeal owns Andy's Parties, a children's party planning franchise in Stafford.

"I figure everyone here are working parents" who could use this service, she said.

Maggie Kim will soon open Rejuvalase MedSpa in Stafford. She attended a FreeNI meeting to talk about her business, which specializes in laser hair removal.

"I want to get the name out there," Kim said.

But besides self-promotion, Kim also linked up with a meal preparation company at the FreeNI meeting.

She hopes to one day hire the business to create meals for her spa guests.

Johnson, who runs the Fredericksburg meetings, said FreeNI is about "relationship marketing" rather than quick leads.

"That's what we really build on, are the relationships that are made in these rooms," he said. "It's not an instant gratification thing, it's something that happens over time when you gain camaraderie."

Kafia Hosh: 540/735-
Email: 1977khosh@freelancestar.com

WANT TO GO? WHAT: FreeNI lunch meetings WHEN: Noon every Tuesday and Thursday WHERE: Tuesdays at King Street Blues in Stafford, Thursdays at Tru Luv's Modern American Bistro in downtown Fredericksburg ON THE NET: freeni.com

Date published: 2/15/2007