I am not good at networking. Really. Standing in a room full of strangers, holding a cup of coffee, trying to think of an opening line that does not sound like a sales pitch… that is the kind of scene that makes me want to hide in the bathroom. But last month, I pushed through that fear and signed up for a morning networking event with the Applewood Business Association. And I have to say, it was one of the smartest decisions I have ever made for my career.
Why I Chose Applewood Business Association
Before I tell you about that morning, let me explain why I picked the Applewood Business Association instead of other networking groups in Denver. I live in the West Denver Metro area, work remotely, and felt like I was losing touch with my local community. I heard that the Applewood Business Association had been around for 40 years, with over 200 members from Golden, Lakewood, and Wheat Ridge. That number made me curious. An organization that has lasted 40 years must be doing something right.
I also liked how they described their culture: “uniquely warm and welcoming.” I needed a place that was not too commercial, where people actually wanted to help each other instead of just trading business cards and disappearing. So I signed up for their Quarterly Breakfast Networking Round Table.
My First Morning: Not What I Expected
I arrived 15 minutes early, still nervous. But the moment I walked in, a woman near the door smiled and asked my name. Not the fake kind of greeting, but the kind that makes you feel like you belong. She introduced me to two other people standing nearby. Nobody immediately asked what I did for a living. Instead, they asked where I was from, how long I had lived in Colorado. The conversation flowed naturally, like we had known each other before.
The first thing I realized: the Applewood Business Association is not a place to sell. It is a place to build relationships. That might sound a bit cheesy, but it is true. I sat down at a table surrounded by the owner of a jewelry shop that had been open for 39 years, a financial expert from Doleman Wealth Management, and a marketing professional for small businesses. Nobody handed out a business card for the first 20 minutes. We talked about Colorado weather, about going to Rockies and Nuggets games, about favorite coffee spots in Wheat Ridge.
Lesson One: Real Networking Starts with Curiosity
I used to think networking meant impressing people with your introduction, talking about achievements, about what you could do. But at the Applewood Business Association event, I learned the opposite. The best way to connect is to ask others about their work… and actually listen.
I clearly remember my conversation with Gayle from Anthony M’s Visions in Gold. She talked about helping guys pick out engagement rings, about how she and her husband collaborated on jewelry designs for 29 years. I never cared about jewelry before, but the way she talked about her work made me want to introduce her to my friends. And that is the whole point. When you genuinely care about others, you naturally want to help them. And others do the same for you.
Lesson Two: Local Community Is an Underrated Resource
I work in tech, so I usually think networking means connecting with people in Silicon Valley or startups in Austin. But that morning, I realized the value of local connections. One person at my table worked for Foothills Credit Union. He was not my “target customer,” but he knew tons of small business owners in Jefferson County who needed tech solutions. Another person did real estate with Coldwell Banker, and she had a long list of new homeowners moving into the area… people who were looking for new services.
The Applewood Business Association serves a specific area: Golden, Lakewood, Wheat Ridge, and the West Denver Metro. This means everyone in the room understands the local market. They know things Google cannot tell you. They know who is opening a new shop on which street, who is hiring, how consumer trends are shifting in this area. That is valuable information you cannot buy.
Lesson Three: Good Networking Events Have Clear Structure
I have been to networking events that left me feeling lost. You show up, stand around, do not know who to talk to, then go home with a stack of business cards from people you cannot remember. But the morning at the Applewood Business Association was completely different.
They had a short, clear introduction. Everyone got a chance to talk about themselves for 60 seconds. Not the awkward “elevator pitch” style, but a friendly introduction: your name, what you do, and what you are looking for. Then came small group discussions. There was a specific topic. There was a facilitator. You never felt left out.
I was especially impressed by how they balanced B2B and B2C. Some people in the room were small business owners wanting to reach local customers. Others were B2B service providers like me. But the event structure made both groups feel included. Nobody hogged the spotlight. Nobody was ignored.
Lesson Four: Print Directories Are Still Alive and Well
What surprised me most was when I received the Applewood Business Association’s 2023 Business & Community Directory. I am a digital age person, so I automatically assumed everything had to be online. But this directory goes out to 25,000 households in Applewood, and it also has a digital edition with live links.
I flipped through the directory and saw names of people I had just met that morning. I saw ads for Nothing Bundt Cakes, for The Drake Law Firm, for Urban Exteriors. Suddenly I understood why these businesses joined the Applewood Business Association. Not just for face to face networking. But because they were reaching an entire community. This directory sits on kitchen tables in thousands of homes. It gets kept all year. A Facebook post disappears after two days. But this directory stays.
This taught me a lesson about local marketing: do not overlook traditional channels. The combination of print and digital that the Applewood Business Association uses is really smart. They do not choose between old and new. They use both.
Lesson Five: Showing Up Regularly Matters More Than Showing Up Once
I went back to two more Applewood Business Association events after that first morning. A Monthly Luncheon on the second Thursday of the month, and another special event. The interesting thing was, the second time around, I was no longer a stranger. People remembered my name. Someone asked how the project I mentioned last time was going. That feeling… is hard to describe. Like you are building a house, and every brick is a conversation, a meeting.
I realized networking is not a one night event. It is a process. The Applewood Business Association hosts events regularly: monthly luncheons, quarterly networking breakfasts, special community events. This allows you to build relationships slowly, naturally. No pressure. No rush.
How I Changed After Three Events
Three months ago, I feared networking. Now, I genuinely look forward to the next Applewood Business Association event. I have had three coffee follow ups with members I met. One person introduced me to a potential client. I have not signed any direct contracts from an event yet, but I have built relationships that I trust will bring long term value.
More importantly, I feel like part of a community. I know more about the businesses around me. I know who does what, who needs what. I can recommend a lawyer to friends in need, suggest a jewelry shop to someone getting married, point people to the right financial expert. Being a connector is also a way to build value.
My Advice If You Are Considering It
If you live or work in Golden, Lakewood, Wheat Ridge, or anywhere in the West Denver Metro, I genuinely recommend trying an Applewood Business Association event. You do not need to be a big business. You do not need to be good at networking. You just need to show up with an open mind.
Here is what I wish I had known before I came:
- You do not need a perfect pitch. Just introduce yourself honestly.
- Bring business cards, but do not hand them out like flyers. Exchange them when the conversation has meaning.
- Arrive a little early. Early arrivals are usually friendlier and more willing to welcome newcomers.
- Do not just talk about work. Ask about hobbies, family, why they chose to live in Colorado.
- Follow up within a week. Send a short email, mention something you talked about.
Conclusion
Joining the Applewood Business Association did not turn me into a networking master overnight. I still get a little nervous walking into a room full of strangers. But now I have a community. I have people who greet me when I arrive. I have meaningful conversations instead of awkward small talk. And I have opportunities to grow my career in a truly supportive environment.
If you are reading this and still hesitating, I get it. I was there too. But sometimes, the best thing you can do for your career is step outside your comfort zone… and attend a morning networking event with a cup of coffee in your hand. The Applewood Business Association proved to me that networking is not about selling. It is about building community. And I am so glad I became part of that community.