The Link Up Lounge: Strategic Networking for Small Business
THIS is The Link Up Lounge — your lounge for turning one link into endless opportunities. Your hosts, Tiffany and Donna, bring over 30 years of combined networking experience to every conversation. Here, we believe success isn’t just about what you know — it’s about who you link up with. Each week, we’ll share real-world strategies and powerful insights to help you network smarter, build lasting relationships, and create the kind of visibility that drives real business growth. Because the truth is — networking isn’t optional. It’s critical to your success.
And don’t miss our Networking Mode ON segment at the end of each episode — packed with quick, actionable tips you can use immediately to start building your next big opportunity. If you’re ready to make networking your business’s greatest asset — you’re in the right place. Networking mode ON!
Episodes
40 episodes
39 - The Biggest Networking Mistakes Professionals Still Make — And How to Fix Them
What if networking isn’t working… not because you’re not trying, but because you might be fooling yourself? In this episode, Tiffany and Donna are calling out the most common networking mistakes that quietly break connection before it ever has ...
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Episode 39
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27:07
38 - Who Wins in Networking Today? Jennifer Faulkenberry Shares a Surprising Answer
So… what’s the surprising answer? In this episode, Tiffany and Donna sit down with Jennifer Falkenberry to unpack what networking really looks like today — and why it’s not just about being the loudest or most outgoing person in the room. From ...
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Episode 38
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31:27
37 - The Power of Micro-Communities - Why Smaller Rooms Create Bigger Opportunities
What if the reason networking isn’t “working” isn’t you… it’s the room you’re in? In this episode, we’re breaking down the real value of micro communities and why smaller, more intentional networking circles are where relationships — and result...
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Episode 37
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33:25
36 - Your Passion Comes from Your Past — Why You Understand Your Ideal Client So Well
What if the thing you’ve been overlooking is actually your greatest marketing asset? In this episode, Tiffany and Donna break down why your story — especially the messy, uncertain, figuring-it-out parts — is what makes people trust you, connect...
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Episode 36
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24:02
35 - Your Title Is Not What You Do — How to Introduce Yourself for Real Connection
“I’m a realtor.” “I’m in insurance.” …and just like that, the conversation is over. In this episode, Tiffany and Donna break down one of the biggest networking mistakes people make—leading with a title instead of impact. Because titles are fami...
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Episode 35
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23:14
34 - Networking Detox — Letting Go of What (and Who) Isn’t Working
Ever leave a networking event wondering why you even went? Or keep showing up somewhere out of obligation instead of opportunity? In this episode, we’re walking through what a real networking detox looks like — and why you might need one. A net...
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Episode 34
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20:36
33 - How to Create a Collaborative Event (The Inner Glow Session)
What happens when five women with different specialties come together with one shared vision? In this episode, we’re unpacking the Inner Glow Session — a powerful, hands-on lymphatic reset experience created by members of our Bond and Beyond co...
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Episode 33
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47:56
32 - Networking Outside Your Industry — Why and How to Expand Your Circle
What if your next big opportunity isn’t in your industry at all? In this episode, Tiffany and Donna share why stepping outside your usual circles can lead to unexpected referrals, collaborations, and momentum. From surprising client connections...
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Episode 32
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22:20
31 - Sweeten Your Network — Lighthearted Ways to Show Appreciation This Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to sprinkle a little sweetness into your networking strategy. In this heart-filled episode, Tiffany and Donna share creative, thoughtful ways to use this holiday to stay connected to your contacts—and remin...
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Episode 31
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18:42
30 - Networking Resolutions That Actually Work
Setting “network more” as a New Year’s goal? It’s not enough. In this episode of The Link Up Lounge, Donna and Tiffany break down how to turn vague networking wishes into clear, achievable actions.They explore why most resolutions fail (...
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Episode 30
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18:34
29 - Building Community Through Networking (and Coffee): Meet Jac and Jess of St. John’s BFF
Jac and Jess didn’t set out to just host events—they set out to build community. In this episode, Tiffany and Donna chat with the founders of St. John’s BFF about how their group came to life, the heart behind their gatherings, and the faith th...
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Episode 29
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34:31
28 - New Year, New Network — Creating a 90-Day Networking Plan
It’s easy to say “I want to network more,” but without a strategy, your time gets wasted and your connections fizzle out. In this episode, Tiffany and Donna lay out a 90-day networking plan designed to help you show up with purpose, make real c...
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Episode 28
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25:52
27 - In-Person vs. Virtual Networking — How to Show Up Strong in Both
Whether you’re walking into a networking event or logging onto a Zoom call, how you show up matters. In this episode, Donna and Tiffany break down the key differences between in-person and virtual networking—and how to stand out in both. From w...
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Episode 27
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25:59
26 - Confidence Is Your Best Networking Tool (Re-Air)
Merry Christmas and thank you for joining us!! We took time off to enjo out family so please enjoy this re-airing of ep. 3. Confidence isn’t about being the loudest in the room—it’s about being anchored in your value. In this episode, Tif...
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Episode 26
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33:41
25 - Be the Person Who Brings the Quick Win — How to Provide Real Value in Networking
We've all left a conversation thinking, “Wait, what do they even do?” In this episode, Tiffany and Donna unpack how to avoid that by sharing real value—specifically, quick wins that leave people wanting more. From a story about a speed networki...
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Episode 25
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23:28
23 - Storytelling as a Marketing Strategy — Selling Without Selling
You don’t need a pitch when you have a powerful story. In this episode, Donna and Tiffany dig into how to use real client wins and transformation stories to market your business in a way that feels honest and effective. They share the differenc...
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Episode 23
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22:22
22 - The “Surprise and Delight” Method — How Small Gestures Create Big Word-of-Mouth
What if standing out had less to do with what you say—and more to do with how you make people feel? In this episode, Donna and Tiffany break down the strategy of “surprise and delight” in real-world networking. They share the small, thoughtful ...
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Episode 22
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24:36
21 - Take Action — Because Connections Don't Build Themselves
You don’t need the perfect script, outfit, or circumstances to build a strong network—just the willingness to act. In this episode, we’re talking about how taking messy, imperfect action leads to the most unexpected and rewarding connections. T...
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Episode 21
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24:36
20 - Leveraging Customer Testimonials and Reviews for Maximum Impact
What your client says about you can be more powerful than anything you write yourself. In this episode, Tiffany and Donna unpack how to collect, prompt, and strategically use testimonials and Google reviews to build credibility, connection, and...
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Episode 20
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22:14
19 - Behind-the-Scenes Systems That Strengthen Your Network
What do you actually do with all those connections after an event? In this episode, Donna and Tiffany share the simple systems they use to build real relationships from quick hellos. From CRMs to Post-Its to spreadsheet hacks, they bre...
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Episode 19
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31:28
18 - Flipping the Script: From Fajitas to Follow-Ups—Networking in Real Life
This episode flips the script—literally. Donna interviews Tiffany about what it's really like to walk into a networking event solo, strike up genuine conversations, and walk out with not only new contacts, but meaningful momentum. Tiffany share...
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Episode 18
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25:33
17 - How to Get Referrals Without Asking (and Make It Easy for Others to Promote You)
Referrals shouldn't be awkward, and they definitely shouldn't feel forced. In this episode, we're sharing how to create a business that gets talked about—even when you're not around. We break down the three-step system that makes it easy for pe...
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Episode 17
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20:02
16 - Finishing the Year Strong: Recap of Speaker Event with Kevin Waugaman
This episode is a behind-the-scenes look at our recent Bond & Beyond Network event—and the energy in the room was everything. We’re sharing what made this gathering of entrepreneurs feel so impactful, from the intentional conversations to t...
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Episode 16
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29:14
15 - How to Use Your Existing Network as a Marketing Machine
You probably don’t need more leads—you just need to stop sleeping on the people you already know. In this episode, we’re talking about how to warm up cold contacts, follow up without feeling weird, and turn your existing network into actual bus...
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Episode 15
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27:20