How to Actually Get ROI From Events w/ Lauren Najar

You can spend thousands of dollars attending events and still walk away wondering if any of it actually helped your business.In this episode, Lauren breaks down how to actually get ROI from events, whether that’s networking dinners, workshops, conferences, or retreats. She shares how constantly saying yes to events started impacting her time, energy, work schedule, and family life, forcing her to become far more intentional about where she invests her money and attention.Lauren talks about the difference between going to events because of FOMO versus going with a clear reason for being there. She shares why relationships are often the biggest return on investment, why some opportunities take months to pay off, and how meeting people in person completely changes the depth of connection and collaboration. She also opens up about navigating events as an introvert and the questions she now asks herself before saying yes to any room she walks into. So, if you’ve been questioning whether events are really worth the investment, this episode will help you think about ROI in a completely different way.Chapters:00:25 Why events take more than money 02:05 The hidden cost of saying yes too often03:25 What ROI actually looks like from small events04:20 How hosts create meaningful connections05:25 Going to events as an introvert06:35 How to intentionally create ROI at events07:25 The long-term payoff from bigger investments08:25 Choosing events for the people in the room 09:25 Why in-person connections change everything10:05 How to stop making event decisions from FOMO11:10 Questions to ask before investing in an event12:20 Why intentionality creates better ROI13:00 Lauren’s upcoming retreats and events Upcoming Events:Chicago Retreat - July 14-16, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/iid9wbr2ycNapa Retreat - October 5-8, 2026 - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/cetj223rsrGrowth & Connect Events - https://laurennajar.myflodesk.com/hb2a0mwbqwLet’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🎧 Subscribe & Review: Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.