Geography, community, family and faith are drawing some Geist-area business people together for their collective benefit. “How many times have you been at your kid’s kickball game with the same parents, but you have no idea what they do for a living, that together you could share great business success?” asked Roger Reeves, Territory Manager for Interactive Intelligence and founder of the St. Simon Business Network. “We already share the same values and beliefs. What this is about is breaking down the barriers between personal and business lives and working together to tap into opportunities for each other.”
The St. Simon Business Network is a group of like-minded people who meet at St. Simon the Apostle Catholic Church the fourth Thursday of each month for an evening meeting of networking, high-level speakers and even employment opportunities. It is the embodiment of the ‘many heads are better than one’ philosophy. “Our mission is to help connect St. Simon parishioners so they might be able to work together,” explained Reeves.
Reeves suggested this sense of community and sharing on a business level has been lacking in the church. Some parishioners felt that if they could connect on that level, perhaps small business owners and business-to-business companies could learn from each other on topics such as changing tax laws and the health care act. “If you can’t share your problems in your church, where can you?” Reeves pointed out.
Breaking down those barriers between personal and business lives can be awkward and the St. Simon Business Network offers the connection for those who want it. The gain is beneficial opportunities to learn, network and hopefully make connections that lead to people doing business with other St. Simon professionals. Appropriately, “A camaraderie in spirit found only where people pray together,” is part of the St. Simon mission.
Join the St. Simon Business Network on LinkedIn or visit the meeting in the Parish Life Center from 8 p.m. – 10 p.m. the fourth Thursday.
