Business Development Near Me

Networking Night

Free monthly networking for Columbus business owners. Real conversations, real connections, no forced formats. Space is limited. RSVP now. Most owners leave networking events with a stack of business cards and no plan. The best leads quietly slip through the cracks. Networking Night is a monthly meetup for Columbus business owners who want to build real local relationships, not just trade contact info. Every kind of local business welcome. No pitch round, no pressure, no awkward speed-networking. **This month** We're focused on referral relationships. Walk in with a clear idea of who refers people like you. Walk out having met a few owners whose work fits next to yours. **What to expect** Doors open at 6 PM. You get real conversation with other local owners, time to actually connect, and a short marketing lesson woven in. The room is reserved through 7:30 PM. **Who this is for** Any local business owner who wants to grow through relationships and referrals, not just paid ads. Service businesses, retail, home services, professional services, online owners building local presence, anyone serious about being part of the Columbus business community **Details** * Last Thursday of every month * 6:00 to 7:30 PM * COhatch Easton * Free to attend, RSVP required, space is limited **About the host** Rita Suzanne has spent over a decade helping Columbus business owners grow through relationships, reputation, and referrals. She hosts two monthly events that bring local owners together to build the connections that keep a business busy. She's also Executive Director of the Independent National Board for Grief Coaching. Register here: [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/networking-night-tickets-1997056672266?](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/networking-night-tickets-1997056672266?)

Dublin, OH

August 27th Meetup - Anthony Nedolast - Empowered Dev, BA, and QA with AI

**Important time note:** Please plan on arriving between 5:30 and 6:00 as the elevators lock after 6 and you'll need to message us and we'll need to come get you. The building address is 4450 Bridge Park The entrance is 6620 Mooney St, Suite 400 You will need to scan your ID at the door to get a visitor badge. **Abstract -** From Banned to Embraced: How One Team Empowered Dev, BA, and QA with AI Follow a software team's journey with AI adoption, from a company-wide ban to current production workflows, and how it actually empowers developers, BAs, and QA day-to-day. You'll get the honest wins, the scars, the governance that made it work, and one concrete thing each role can try tomorrow morning. **YouTube Link** TBD

What Are the Odds? Forecasting Without Estimates

**Columbus Business Agility is back!** ([Please give us some feedback](https://tally.so/r/yPbLag) \- what would you like this meetup to be?\) Five years is a long time between meetups. We're picking it back up on **Wednesday, August 26**, and I wanted the first one back to be worth it, so I asked a friend whose work is perfectly relevant and also fascinating. Her talk is more than just your average AI + Agile story. **What Are the Odds? Forecasting Without Estimates** Every executive asks when it'll be done. Most teams answer with a date somebody made up. But your team's board has a better answer sitting in it already. Start with what you can use right away: the throughput your team already produces, translated into the odds you will finish by a given date. No time spent estimating. No points. You can do this by hand, on a whiteboard, with the last few months of finished work. That answer is honest, and it beats the one you're giving now. But a whiteboard is a one-off. It's stale by the next planning conversation, and it's only ever about your team. Leadership wants to know about the whole department. Keeping the answer current is a hard problem, and it's where AI earns its keep. At a trucking insurance company I directed autonomous agents to build what leadership ended up steering by: team views, then the portfolio rollup on top. That was six months of work. Parts of it moved startlingly fast, like restructuring how the company tracked its work, which took an afternoon. The slow parts were the human ones. Agreeing where work actually starts. Getting finish data anyone trusted. Teaching leaders to ask what would move the odds instead of asking for a date. I'll show how the system worked, what came out of it, and the snags we found on the way. Come if you've ever been asked for a date and had no honest way to give it. **About Liz** Liz Rettig is a professional Kanban trainer and the owner of Lil Agile Monster, where she helps teams and portfolios deliver more predictably, and often faster, built on battle-tested Kanban, flow metrics, and forecasting. With or without AI in the mix. **Agenda** 6:00 Arrive. Mingle. Maybe grab a drink and chill. 6:30 Liz's presentation and discussion about forecasting and AI 7:30 (or earlier) more time to connect and discuss **Sponsored By**: ReadySetAgile.com - big thank you for our partnership with John Riley Hope to see you later this month! ([Please give us some feedback](https://tally.so/r/yPbLag) \- what would you like this meetup to be?\)

Evolve Elevate (Virtual)

Evolve is all about creating an Authentic Community, Deeper Connections, and Confident Growth. We are a group of entrepreneurial women who connect personally and professionally. We welcome every guest to experience our authentic community with no cliques and no judgment. Come as you are! There's a seat waiting for you. Elevate is an action-oriented connection experience designed to help women entrepreneurs move beyond surface-level networking and into meaningful growth, collaboration, and courageous action. Each session centers around a focused business or personal development topic, followed by intentional breakout discussions that encourage deeper conversations, real relationship-building, and practical next steps. Unlike traditional networking events, Elevate is designed to create momentum. Women are encouraged not only to share ideas, but to actively support one another through accountability, collaboration, brainstorming, and action-based growth. Every meeting is an opportunity to build authentic connections, gain fresh perspective, and leave with a clear action step to implement before the next session. This is a space where women rise together — not through competition or hustle culture, but through encouragement, courage, consistency, and intentional community. \*\*Evolve Women's Collective is a membership based professional women's group. You can find more information at [www.EvolveWomensCollective.com](https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.EvolveWomensNetwork.com&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw0UekYvD4PoVa7WUlFFVHyp). Feel welcome to be our guest anytime! [Join the Call](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://zoom.us/j/7894682064&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw127u1EMKvrsjTOPRaLUJ51)

Lewis Center Networking Lunch

Join us for lunch and meet our very successful group. We are each others sales team...always looking for referrals for our members. If you are looking for new clients, let us help you out! Bring your business cards and brochures to share with us. We have a speaker each week so that we can learn about their business. Because we have only one member per business, we have many of the spots filled. However, we are specifically looking for an estate attorney, a handyman/electrician, and an event planner. We have referrals for you! All visitors are welcome. Any questions contact [pmarchio@farmersagent.com](mailto:pmarchio@farmersagent.com)

All City Social- Columbus

**All City Social** is a curated networking experience where meaningful relationships begin. Join entrepreneurs, business owners, professionals, creators, and community leaders for an evening of guided conversations designed to help you build genuine connections—not just collect business cards. Whether you're looking for referral partners, collaborators, clients, new friendships, or simply want to expand your network in Columbus, you'll leave with relationships that continue long after the event ends.

CONNECTED Westerville Mastermind Group

Join the CONNECTED Westerville Mastermind Group for a dynamic afternoon of B2B networking! This event is perfect for professionals looking to expand their business connections, share insights, and foster collaboration within the community. Whether you are a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this event offers a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas, build relationships, and grow your network in a supportive environment. Connect with like-minded individuals, explore potential partnerships, and discover new opportunities for professional growth. Don't miss out on this chance to enhance your business network and take your career to the next level with CONNECTED Westerville Mastermind Group! We meet the 4th Monday of every month from 11am-1pm. Welcome and general networking from 11am - 11:30am with core meeting 11;30 - 12:30 and a final round of networking from 12:30 - 1pm.

Deal CPR: Diagnose, Restructure, and Rescue Underperforming Properties

**(Note: RSVPing here on Meetup does NOT reserve your seat. To do that, you'll need to register on our website, [HERE](https://www.coreerocks.com/Events.aspx?ID=Columbus-Chapter-Meeting-Deal-CPR-Diagnose-Restructure-and-Rescue-Underperforming-Properties-14-9-1-2026).)** Every real estate investor has one. The rental that doesn't cash flow. The flip that's finished...but still sitting. The furnished rental that won't stay occupied. The BRRRR that won't refinance. The rehab that's gone way over budget. The property you wish you could do over. The difference between experienced investors and everyone else isn't that they never buy problem properties. It's that they know how to diagnose what's really wrong—and decide whether to fix it, change it, or walk away. That's exactly what we're doing at this month's Central Ohio Chapter Meeting. First, we'll talk about how to recognize when a deal is heading in the wrong direction, what immediate steps you can take to stop the bleeding, and when it's time to bring in an experienced investor, lender, property manager, contractor, or agent who may see opportunities you've missed. Then we'll put those ideas to work. Real members will bring real properties that aren't performing the way they expected, and together we'll evaluate the options. Can better financing save the deal? Would different management change the numbers? Should more money be invested... ...or is it smarter to cut your losses and move on? You'll get to watch experienced investors work through real situations, explain how they think, and discuss the pros and cons of different solutions. Whether you've never bought your first investment property or you've owned dozens, you'll leave with practical ideas that could save you thousands of dollars on your next deal. And don't overlook one of the biggest benefits of every COREE meeting: The people in the room. Your next lender, contractor, buyer, property manager, private lender, or investing partner could be sitting at your table. **Agenda** • 5:00–6:00: Free Light Dinner and Networking • 6:00: Earlybird Meeting – *What to Do When Your Deal Is Circling the Drain* • 7:00: Buy-Sell-Trade (members only) • 7:30: *Fix My Deal: Live Property Rescue* **Again, RSVPing here on Meetup does NOT reserve your seat. To attend, you'll need to register on our website, [HERE](https://www.coreerocks.com/Events.aspx?ID=Columbus-Chapter-Meeting-Deal-CPR-Diagnose-Restructure-and-Rescue-Underperforming-Properties-14-9-1-2026).**

August Social - Ohio Brewing Company

Come meet us before we hit up Mohican Saturday August 29th!

Building a Voice Over Business

Join Voice Over Pros Of Ohio for an exciting morning of networking, and exploring opportunities in the world of voice acting. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, this event is perfect for expanding your network, learning how to start a VO business, and for honing your skills. Connect with fellow voice actors and VO experts, that will help you succeed in your voice over business. This event will feature discussions on professional development, entrepreneurship in the voice over industry, with tips for navigating the world of voice acting. Don't miss this unique opportunity to learn from others, collaborate with like-minded individuals, and take your voice over career to the next level. Join us Saturday, March 28, from 10am - 12pm and learn how to start or grow your voice over business. Let your voice be heard! The $10 fee covers refreshments and door prizes.

(A.M.) Field Shoot (Columbus Brewing Beer Hall - Post Shoot Social)

Located close to Franklin Park Conservatory, this will be a nice place to get a bite to eat. Opportunity to gather post-meeting, tell stories (mostly lies), ask questions about burning photography/post-production issues, and ponder the future of our country and planet. Oh, and food... Location and time to be determined based on the specifics of the shoot immediately preceding this event.