“From my first experience with the group, I have been welcomed by like-minded small business owners eager to learn about my practice and share their stories. An open, casual air prevails without the pressure found in some networking groups to drum up referrals and testimonials. There is a purpose to the meetings that extends beyond networking…a chance to think outside the lines of the normal business routine…to learn, and listen, and share.”

“I started coming to the NSBF in 2004 when I started Hamilton Bookkeeping. It was my first experience in networking. I came every Friday for many years. I listened to the speakers and absorbed their presentations. Everything I needed to know about nurturing Hamilton Bookkeeping came from my early years at the Forum.”

“I started attending seven years ago and not only do I find very informative speakers, but I can directly attribute 37 clients as coming directly from the Forum.”

“I like the fact that it’s an open forum. There are no requirements. I have the opportunity to present what I do, I’ve gotten business, and plenty of referrals. And I am always impressed by the wide range of talent in the room.”

“Not only did I acquire clients and business resources through the lively and informative Friday morning meetings, but I also developed lasting friendships. The close bonds among members set NSBF apart from other business networking groups.”

“The North Shore Business Forum is a dynamic organization full of wonderful, caring, professional business people. For me, the Forum is comprised of people who are genuinely interested in who you are, what you do, and how they can help you with your business. The speakers are engaging, the dialog and conversations are honest, and the mission is clear.”

“One of the most valuable aspects of the North Shore Business Forum is the community that has been created. There’s a connection there—personal, professional, and spiritual—that I don’t find in other groups. The Forum has made a huge difference for me personally and for my business. There is just nothing else like it.”

“Every Friday morning is a real education thanks to our speakers, and I get to expose my business. It’s well worth going!”

“At the North Shore Business Forum, I made invaluable connections with people that I may not have met otherwise. It is certainly an important and vital networking group on the North Shore.”

“When I first joined the Forum I had never spoken in front of strangers, never mind doing it with a microphone. By attending every week I slowly gained confidence in doing both. I credit the folks at the Forum for giving me a friendly place of non-judgment to learn this important skill. I also learned about creating 30-second elevator speeches and changing them up in an effort to keep people engaged.”

“I enjoy the informality of the meetings, the friendliness, and the fact that you pay as you go. Truly, it’s about the people in the room, the conversations. And I always learn something I can apply to my business.”

“The speakers are interesting and I always learn something that is applicable to my business or that I can share with others. It has given me visibility in the business community because I have been a featured speaker. What I enjoy most is the support and encouragement attendees give each other and the congenial atmosphere. It is a valuable networking resource.”

“I always learn something new with the topics the speaker addresses. I find the group very supportive, friendly and easy. There is no pressure to use anyone or to give referrals. However, after getting to know and trust the people who run their companies it is very easy to recommend them to others.”

‘The Forum’ are ‘my people.’ My friends, family and clients consider me a resource in large part because of my contacts at the Forum. Any time someone is looking for a [service provider], I have one I can comfortably recommend because of the networking I’ve enjoyed at the NSBF. The group has also been a terrific source of support and education.”

“When I transitioned from working nationally/internationally to locally, NSBF afforded a friendly way to connect with North Shore businesses. NSBF is a community, not just a networking group. As community, the core NSBF cares for one another and pulls for each other. That for me is the value.”

“I have attended the weekly meetings of the Forum for several years and can attest that approximately 60% of my business is a direct result of referrals from members of the Forum (and referrals from referrals from… ).”

“I signed up to be a host at one point, and I met lots of people for the first time. It was a terrific experience. I got business, referrals, and exposure.”

“The Forum is family. It’s a non-competitive environment that has really allowed me to grow my business. I have other small business owners to brainstorm with about best practices. The Forum has been hugely important to my business.”

“We always have quality speakers, I always learn something, and the Forum is a real community. I’ve gotten business, but I’ve also made many friends. Truly, Forum meetings finish off my week on a very positive note.”