Business Over Cocktails - Behind the Business - Real Talk with Female Entrepreneurs
Welcome to Business Over Cocktails — the podcast where female entrepreneurs, founder stories, and soulful business growth take center stage.
Hosted by business strategist and community builder Lauren Najar, this show dives into the “why” behind the business, the real stories behind entrepreneurship, and the pivotal moments that shape women-led brands.
Expect candid interviews with creative entrepreneurs, behind-the-scenes reflections on small business growth, and bite-sized solo episodes inside The Business Chaser — where we explore authentic visibility, organic marketing, and building a business that actually feels good.
Whether you're scaling a service-based business, navigating a pivot, or craving real talk for entrepreneurs, this is your spot.
Pull up a seat. Pour your favorite drink. Let’s talk business.
Business Over Cocktails - Behind the Business - Real Talk with Female Entrepreneurs
Networking Strategy: Turn Events Into Clients w/ Michelle Thames
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In this educational Business Over Cocktails episode, marketing strategist and community builder Michelle Thames breaks down a repeatable approach to community building and networking that helps entrepreneurs grow a magnetic personal brand and increase visibility online and in the room.
You’ll learn how to choose the right networking events, connect with decision-makers, and make yourself memorable so relationships actually turn into opportunities. Michelle also shares what to do after the event—how to follow up, book coffee chats, connect on Instagram, and stay consistent with content so new connections become clients, collaborators, and community members. If you’ve been relying on social media alone, this episode gives you a practical networking strategy you can plug into your business immediately.
Episode Highlights:
- A practical networking strategy to build community and grow a magnetic personal brand
- What to do before, during, and after events (follow-up + coffee chats that convert)
- How to leverage Instagram + consistent content to stay top of mind after meeting people
Chapters:
00:01 — Why community building + networking are the foundation
02:31 — Post-event strategy: coffee chats, tracking, and follow-up
03:15 — Instagram as the networking connector + staying top of mind
05:00 — Event content strategy + using ChatGPT for stories/reels
06:05 — Finding the right events (Eventbrite/Meetup) + action plan
Connect with Michelle Thames:
Website - http://www.michellethames.com/
Let’s Stay Connected:
→ Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar
→ Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com
→ Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails
→ Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect
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