Where to find like-minded individuals?

[GameOver]

This forum is a great place to virtually meet like-minded individuals. I'm looking for suggestions on where to do this locally / in real life?

So far, I've had a few discussions with business acquaintances but it seems most people are risk adverse... they'd be happy to come work for me once I have something figured-out, but aren't really interested in trying to start a venture as they don't enjoy that.

Been to a few business mixer type events that are open to the public, but usually that turns into folks just asking me for a job (with my current employer).

Looked-into the SBA, but networking doesn't seem to be part of their thing. They have government counselors. That seems so... wrong.

So right now I am just in information-collection and exploratory mode. I'd love to be able to talk to people in my area who have made it, are running their own businesses and have problems that need solving. I'd also be interested in talking to others who are where I am at, because who knows if alliances might be possible or necessary.

Just wondering if you've tackled this question and if so, where you went to find folks?

 

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[SquatchMan]

Country club, golfing, my school alumni network, and philanthropy.

Most people at free events or meetup groups are MLM people or onepreneurs selling stuff on Etsy or something.

The barriers to entry for the good methods are fairly high and that's why they're so good. You meet entrepreneurs and other decision makers in every industry imaginable.

You also don't need any of those connections to start a successful business....

it can help though.

 

[OldFaithful]

I happen to live in a small rural community, and the only business owners I've met have been those whose business I've frequented. Make the effort to strike up conversations at business you frequent and try to get to know the owner. In a small business, the owner is easy to identify. The only problem is that you're quite limited in the types of business (and thus business owners) you can access.

FYI, I didn't have any luck going to the local Economic Development Foundation meetings or the Chamber of Commerce meetings.

I like @spyt 's recommendations, perhaps it's easier to find business minded individuals during their "down time". Go where they go.

Let us know if you find a more successful method!

 

[G-Man]

This forum is a great place to virtually meet like-minded individuals. I'm looking for suggestions on where to do this locally / in real life?

So far, I've had a few discussions with business acquaintances but it seems most people are risk adverse... they'd be happy to come work for me once I have something figured-out, but aren't really interested in trying to start a venture as they don't enjoy that.

Been to a few business mixer type events that are open to the public, but usually that turns into folks just asking me for a job (with my current employer).

Looked-into the SBA, but networking doesn't seem to be part of their thing. They have government counselors. That seems so... wrong.

So right now I am just in information-collection and exploratory mode. I'd love to be able to talk to people in my area who have made it, are running their own businesses and have problems that need solving. I'd also be interested in talking to others who are where I am at, because who knows if alliances might be possible or necessary.

Just wondering if you've tackled this question and if so, where you went to find folks?

Outside of this place, the best networking I've found is at my local cigar shop. Just a bunch of guys sitting around drinking scotch and talking about what they're working on. I F*cking hate scotch, though.

Bonus: If you're a millennial, the bar is super low. If you're under 35 and can just shut up, listen, and not be a total dipshit, they'll think you're a damn genius. I've gotten a lot of mentorship that way.

 

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[Rammsteinfanboy]

If you live in a major city finding like minded Individuals should be easy, because there peergroups for everything who do meetups. Just look online on sites like facebook and meetup.com. You find all kind of groups there like "new in town chicago"
or "parkour chicago" etc.

 

[tehbest1]

Agreed. "Getting out there" is the thing that requires actual legwork but it is so worthwhile.
Meetup.com is a great one if you live in the cities. I also went to Toastmasters groups as well. A great place to meet people who are into Personal Development and more often than not, people who are into doing their own businesses

 

[Alexlewter]

Others have suggested ways to meet like minded people on-line. To meet like minded people locally, try Find your people - Meetup. Search for topics you are interested in as see if there are groups meeting in your area.

Also take a look at BestThinking where thoughtful authors publish articles on topics they are interested in. You can browse articles, find interesting authors, read their biographies and connect with them.

Join Linkedin - which claims to be the World's Largest Professional Network and keep your profile up-to-date.

 

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[alan3wilson]

Yeah me too I've found many great people to know on meetup and eventbrite. In any entrepreneurs events I've found them.

 

[Rammsteinfanboy]

anybody mentioned mastermind groups? also online