Our story & evolution
Pre CONNEXX
An Atypical Networking Group
Our Beginning
In 2017, LeTip named Chris as the national President of the year.
He was able to take an assortment of 17 business owners that met in the back of a diner, and increased the member count to 83 over a three year period, while moving the meeting location to RXR Plaza, one of Long Island's premiere office buildings.
In that time he learned a lot about leadership and team building from Doug Christian, his then mentor and
President of LeTip International.
Our Beginning
An Atypical Networking Group
Our Beginning
"Have a dream of your own,
or you'll be part of someone else's."
In August of 2019, Chris started a "networking group" that he planned to structure unlike what the most popular organizations were doing. He didn't want members to be voted in, or to feel judged.
Chris was opposed to having a board of directors, stringent rules, or penalties.
Every member was equal, and didn't need to prove their value to belong!
CONNEXX had a simple mission statement that went,
"At CONNEXX we put the person ahead of their profession."
An Atypical Networking Group
An Atypical Networking Group
An Atypical Networking Group
Within five months CONNEXX had 43 members. There was something very different about a CONNEXX meeting.
Instead of giving a thirty second commercial about their business, members were asked questions about their interests, hobbies, family, accomplishments, if they had any pets, favorite vacation spots, most memorable new years eve, and so on.
Chris's style was very unique, and what began to result from this approach was real relationships. Members weren't making contacts, they were making friends!
Weekly Membership Growth
Second Location For CONNEXX
An Atypical Networking Group
In February 2020 CONNEXX was attracting an average of 2-4 guests per weekly meeting, and many joined after just a single meeting.
Members always welcomed guests and made them feel like they belonged, often interacting as if they were long time friends.
On February 26th, CONNEXX had 62 members in attendance, and 22 guests!
The momentum was building, and Chris said his goal was to surpass the 100 member mark by the one year anniversary of CONNEXX.
Second Location For CONNEXX
Second Location For CONNEXX
Second Location For CONNEXX
On March 5, 2020 CONNEXX had their first meeting at a second location.
However, there was one major difference at that point, which was that people in attendance had heard of CONNEXX, and were coming to experience it for themselves.
By week two, CONNEXX had 12 members that were excited to be part of something different.
All CONNEXX meetings would begin with Chris clapping slowly and rhythmically, with everyone joining in while increasing the pace and volume until the rhythm broke into applause.
Unfortunately, March 12th would be the last in person meeting for CONNEXX.
CONNEXX Goes Virtual
Second Location For CONNEXX
Second Location For CONNEXX
March 18, 2020 was the first time many CONNEXX members would do something they would eventually become experts at, and that was logging onto Zoom!
There was so much confusion as to what the future would hold for them and their businesses.
Chris had just developed a whole new approach to business networking that was gaining popularity with 72 people signing up in just seven months!
By the conclusion of their first meeting on Zoom, Chris had an idea that just came to him, and he presented it with absolutely no prior thought or plan.
"While staring at everyone on my iPad, I sensed fear and discomfort, and asked everyone to join me at noon.
By being together we're not alone! Those words just came out, and I arranged what would become something way bigger than imagined!"
CONNEXX Redefined
"Your Business LIVE"
"Your Business LIVE"
March 18, 2020 at 12pm was what would be the first of one hundred and eighteen days that CONNEXX members would check-in with each other for a fifteen minute Q & A "mini meeting."
Chris wanted this to be fun and full of laughter to make those on the call forget about the pandemic, even if for just 15-20 minutes. Now, Chris envisioned something like a radio or talk show, and said he needed a sidekick.
Sean Rosenfeld was the perfect counterpart to Chris, and their simple but humorous banter always kept it entertaining.
That first day Chris just blurted out,
"Welcome everyone, this is ZOOM@NOON! We might not know what tomorrow may bring, but we know we'll be here each and everyday from 12-12:15 until things open up again. Thank you for joining us, and we're all here for you."
This was the only thing many CONNEXX members had to look forward to at that time. After the first day, Chris opened it up to anyone needing a place to go.
Within a week there were between 50-80 people showing up daily.
Over the next couple weeks CONNEXX became so much more than a "networking group."
CONNEXX became a community that deeply cared about each other.
"Your Business LIVE"
"Your Business LIVE"
"Your Business LIVE"
CONNEXX members were sharing so much about themselves on daily ZOOM@NOON calls, and Chris wanted to dedicate a full fifteen minutes to each member to tell "their story."
So, in late July ZOOM@NOON came to an end, and "Your Business LIVE" was introduced. Chris and Sean would interview members of the CONNEXX community live on social media, and take questions coming in from YouTube and Facebook.
Guests would share how they got started in their particular industry, what they liked about it, challenges faced, what was being done differently and while adapting to the global pandemic.
Chris reminded guests, who were all CONNEXX members, to NOT try and SELL their service or product, but instead TELL their story and things about themselves.
ZOOM@NOON provided an opportunity for strangers to become friends, and
Your Business LIVE offered an opportunity for friends to hear about each other's businesses.
My MISTAKEXX Podcast
"Your Business LIVE"
Collaborate & NOT Compete
Chris said that ZOOM@NOON and Your Business LIVE validated two beliefs he had from day one of CONNEXX.
One, we can all relate to each other as people much more than as professionals.
Two, people don't care how much you know, rather they want to know how much you care!
The third pillar of CONNEXX was realized by Chris when talking to successful friends and mentors.
Now, everyone's been told since being a toddler that we learn from our mistakes.
So, Chris envisioned interviewing successful leaders in business to ask them about their mistakes, and the lessons learned.
"Smart people learn from their mistakes, but wise people learn from others mistakes."
This would become the
MY MISTAKEXX PODCAST.
Chris would also share his stories and his "vast experience making mistakes" as he puts it.
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1046878
Collaborate & NOT Compete
New Leadership For CONNEXX
Collaborate & NOT Compete
There was some interest in September to attempt an in person event.
All CDC guidelines would be followed and it would take place outdoors.
Staying consistent to the belief that we can all go further by COLLABORATING instead of COMPETING, Chris and Tom Gibson (from IBO) reached out to the founders of seven other networking organizations and asked them to be part of it.
Each of the organizations received equal treatment with mentions on the event's promotional materials and booth sizes.
This turned out to be a huge success with a hundred and twenty seven people registering ahead of time, and about another thirty buying tickets that day.
A New Vision
New Leadership For CONNEXX
New Leadership For CONNEXX
In October Chris reflected on what had transpired over the last six months, realizing that thanks to technology, meeting in person wasn't necessary.
He explained, "I loved interacting with people in person. I also loved meeting people from around the country, which was something I did regularly when belonging to LeTip International.
Major events in history have changed the trajectory of many businesses and companies. The funny thing about change is that we very rarely turn back to how we used to.
Just think about the last time you rented a movie from Blockbuster, listened to a cassette on your Walkman, or contacted someone by beeping them."
Chris wanted to eliminate the idea of "chapters" and the division among members of the same organization. He described what it felt like visiting college campuses in different states with his fraternity.
"There was something I loved about being part of something bigger than me, my chapter, and my school.
We all came from different places, but had a common bond, which was being in that fraternity."
CONNEXX would now focus on evolving from a local networking group to a national company focusing on personal and business development, building relationships, and providing business opportunities to each other.
"If you want to accomplish something you haven't, ask someone who has!" -Chris Cianciulli
New Leadership For CONNEXX
New Leadership For CONNEXX
New Leadership For CONNEXX
Darren Mass reached out to Chris saying how impressive the growth of CONNEXX was. He asked,
"Do you want CONNEXX to stay a regional group, or want to grow it to be a national company?
I can see that you have something very special here, and believe more people should know about CONNEXX. This requires having systems in place to scale. If interested, I can help you."
Chris needed to think about it, but asked Darren to attend a few meetings to learn the culture and meet the CONNEXX community.
Darren attended every meeting for six weeks, saying he was hooked!
Chris had to make a difficult decision about the future of CONNEXX, and who would be in the drivers seat.
"At the end of a meeting in November, members were expressing how grateful they were for CONNEXX. Many shared how the relationships developed here saved their businesses and lives!
As I stared at their faces in the sixty plus Zoom squares, the decision was made to not allow my ignorance, inexperience and ego get in the way of what was best for CONNEXX.
I believe in collaboration, and was extremely grateful to have the opportunity to do so with someone as accomplished and successful as Darren Mass. So, I shared my entire vision with him, asked him to help get us there, and to be our CEO."
Darren responded, "I'd be honored, and thank you for trusting me with CONNEXX. I believe in what you've started and know business owners everywhere would benefit from it.
Our job now is to bring it to them!"
From Sidekick To Partner
From Sidekick To Partner
From Sidekick To Partner
"After working alongside Sean for eight months, and helping CONNEXX become what it had, I asked him to be my partner" Chris said.
If CONNEXX was going to expand it's like minded community of business owners nationally, it would require the collaboration of those with different skillsets.
Sean offered incredibly valuable insight into what other "networking groups" did because he had been a member of several others.
His previous experience would benefit how CONNEXX structured their membership and the onboarding process for new members.
CONNEXX Goes National
From Sidekick To Partner
From Sidekick To Partner
Many "networking groups" that had been popular and going strong since the 1980's suffered when their meeting locations were forced to close due to the pandemic.
This caused their members to see what else was out there. The pandemic was the perfect time to re-evaluate what had been working to generate business, introductions, and opportunities. Since meeting in person wasn't an option, everyone was forced to go virtual.
Those identifying as "old school" and not liking this alternative option chose to resign from the popular "networking groups." This has resulted in low attendance for their weekly meetings, and if you belong to any of the big three, you've seen it firsthand.
CONNEXX has experienced the opposite, and since April 2020 have added more than 120 members.
Those that haven't attended a CONNEXX meeting ask what makes them so different and special.
The TEN common answers are:
- The people
- The positivity
- The topics & questions
- How engaged members are
- # of people per meeting
- Structured & fast paced
- Discovering commonalities
- Very entertaining & upbeat
- NOT typical "networking"
- Goal setting/accountability
But, do members get business belonging to CONNEXX?
Think about it, are you be more likely to refer someone from a "networking group" because you have to, or to a friend because you want to?
At CONNEXX, we want to know about you before we hear what you do!
What's NeXXt For CONNEXX
From Sidekick To Partner
What's NeXXt For CONNEXX
In 2021 CONNEXX is seeking out those that are "big into networking"
from all over the country.
We're looking for
NETWORKING leaders
to collaborate with!
Is that you?
Do you run a networking group?
Do people turn to you for guidance business advice?
Have you ever considered starting your own networking group?
Do you have a large social media following, or are you an influencer?
CONNEXX wants to offer you an opportunity that NO other networking organization has ever offered in their decades of existence.
If you're someone with networking experience, innovative ideas, and contacts that you believe would be interested in discovering a more effective way to network themselves and their business, we should CONNECT!!!
If your NETWORKING'S NOT WORKING,
come and experience who's is!
If you're interested in learning more about how you can collaborate with CONNEXX, and be compensated for it, email Chris directly at Chris@GetConnexx.com
We know your worth, and value it!
Experience the Future of Business Networking Groups Today!
Ready to give us a shot? Be our guest! Come checkout what CONNEXX meetings are all about and experience the future of business networking groups.
Once you register for a meeting, within 24 hours we will contact you and schedule a 30 minute Zoom meeting. That way, we can share information, make a new connection and decide if CONNEXX meetings are right for your professional goals. We're positive they will be.
During that 30 minute Zoom, we'll explain the format of our meetings, how to prepare, and what NOT to do - remember, we're not like ANY other networking group!
Next up, your first meeting! CONNEXX is face-to-face networking, all online.
Successful networking doesn't have to happen in person, especially when the current climate calls for social distance and limited physical interaction.
Our meetings are fun, social, and focused on so much more than just work. You'll network, meet awesome people, and discover the names and faces behind local business in your area and beyond. You'll see the potential for growth is outstanding. Most members join after just one meeting.
Following the CONNEXX meeting you attend, we'll meet on Zoom again to hear your feedback, answer any questions, explain our membership and onboarding process for new members.
At CONNEXX, our goal is to build alongside like minded people, not just add more meaningless contacts in your phone. We’ve taken the time to make our model work, and we're positive you'll find what you're looking for.
Following your follow-up call, we'll present you with the opportunity to join CONNEXX and start attending our weekly networking events with other business owners and like minded people.
Once you're a member, you may join as many meetings as you'd like. CONNEXX is always
growing and you may make a referral for a new member at any time. We're happy to welcome business people of all backgrounds into our CONNEXX community.
If YOU'RE not happy, WE'RE not happy!
Therefore, you have thirty days to cancel your membership with a 100% refund should you decide CONNEXX was a mistake, and not right for you.
ZOOM@NOON FREE SPEED NETWORKING
It's ONE year later.
BIGGER,
BETTER,
& MORE CONNECTED!
Starting March 1, 2021
Mon-Fri (ALL MONTH)
12-12:20pm
IT'S FREE &
EVERYONE'S WELCOME
EVERY DAY !
Please SHARE w/ your NETWORK & FRIENDS
3 FIVE minute 1:1's with other business owners from around the COUNTRY.
You NEVER know who you'll meet
or where it may lead.
LET'S CONNECT!!!