“Eight is the Sweet Spot”—Why Brian Keltner & Francesca Kenney Elevate Entrepreneurs Together

Send us Fan MailCut The Tie Podcast with Brian Keltner & Francesca KenneyWhat happens when two co-founders build multiple ventures without ever meeting in person? In this episode of Cut The Tie, host Thomas Helfrich sits down with Brian Keltner and Francesca Kenney, co-founders of ELEV8ORS, to talk about how they’re reinventing networking.From nearly choking on their first phone call together to launching a global B2B community in just 8 weeks, Brian and Francesca share how they help entrepreneurs shift from “me, me, me” pitching to relationship-first ecosystems. Their secret? Small groups of 8, immersive environments, and a culture of listening for impact.About Brian & FrancescaBrian Keltner and Francesca Kenney are the co-founders of ELEV8ORS, a virtual B2B networking company built on the principle of elevating others. With decades of combined experience in marketing, finance, and entrepreneurship, they designed ELEV8ORS as an antidote to pitch-fests—focusing instead on authentic relationships, structured agendas, and immersive virtual spaces. Their mission is simple: help entrepreneurs build meaningful networks that grow businesses faster.In this episode, Thomas, Brian, and Francesca discuss:From strangers to partnersHow a chance introduction and a hilarious near-death choking incident sparked a lasting business partnership.Why 8 mattersThe symbolism, science, and practicality of keeping networking groups capped at 8 members.From idea to revenue in 8 weeksThe sprint that took ELEV8ORS from concept to international cash flow.Cutting ties with time-wastersWhy saying no to unproductive tasks, software, and people frees you to focus on what matters.Immersive meetings over Zoom fatigueHow a 3D virtual environment beats traditional video calls and deepens connections.Key TakeawaysSmall rooms, big outcomesEight is the sweet spot—large groups leave people out.Relationships beat pitchesNetworking works when it’s about who you can help, not what you sell.Iterate quicklyLaunch, learn, and improve—don’t wait for perfection.Simplify your stackThe right tools can replace several wrong ones and save time.Community is a systemBe intentional about who you gather and how you engage.Connect with Brian & Francesca🌐 Website: https://elev8ors.net📎 LinkedIn (Brian): https://www.linkedin.com/in/briankeltner1/📎 LinkedIn (Francesca): https://www.linkedin.com/in/francescakenney/Connect with Thomas Helfrich🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/thelfrich📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cutthetie📎 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomashelfich🌐 Website: https://www.cutthetie.com📧 Email: [email protected]🚀 Instantly Relevant: https://instantlyrelevant.comSupport the showhttps://www.youtube.com/@cutthetie