I Created the Networking Space I Couldn’t Find w/ Lauren Najar

Most networking events leave you with a stack of business cards and very little real connection.After years of attending networking groups that felt surface level, transactional, or completely misaligned, I realized the kind of space I was looking for didn’t actually exist. In this episode, I’m sharing the real story behind why I created Growth & Connect dinners and retreats after walking away from networking experiences that left me feeling disconnected, frustrated, and craving something more intentional.This conversation goes far beyond hosting events. I’m diving into what felt missing in traditional networking spaces, the pressure to fit into environments that never felt right, and the moment I stopped waiting for someone else to create the kind of community I wanted to be part of. I’m also sharing what people are truly craving right now in business, why intentional connection matters more than surface-level visibility, and how creating the right environment changes the entire experience people walk away with.So, if you’ve been craving deeper connection, more meaningful conversations, or spaces where people genuinely see and support each other, this episode will encourage you to stop waiting for the right room to appear and start creating it yourself. Chapters:00:40 Introduction and upcoming retreats/events03:40 Why I wanted deeper connection05:40 The first networking event that changed everything09:40 Feeling disconnected from traditional expectations15:40 Starting a business in Chicago17:20 Returning to Northwest Indiana after motherhood18:40 Trying local networking groups again21:20 Why some networking events felt empty24:00 The event that made me rethink networking 26:40 Realizing I could create something better29:40 The beginning of Growth & Connect31:40 What makes meaningful events different34:40 The impact of intentional connection35:20 Why there is room for more community leaders37:00 Create the thing you feel is missing 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.