Carmen at the Networking Bash

December 10 2014

There is something business people do called networking. This is a foreign concept to me as that is not how we do business in my village. Where I am from we just make offers people can't refuse if you know what I mean. Here in SWFL this networking is a very popular thing to do. 

The nice people of What's Up SWFL hold what they call a Networking Bash every month. They invite people to come to a local restaurant..eat...drink...talk.... eat some more...talk some more....drink some more....and somehow during all that they discuss business. Interesting. I have never experienced such a thing. I am always eager to meet new people so I was very keen to attend this event.

So I met this gal Cathy... I found out she works at the Seminole Casino!!! It is in some town called Immokalee. I am not sure I can even pronounce it much less know what it means. That is when she told me is is derived from a Seminole word that means my home.It just may become my home away from home because this cannoli loves to play the slots!!! I was all excited when she invited me down for a tour. Ok, so is this how this networking works??? If so I think I am going to like it. I just hope the slots pay off better than the casino near my little village. 

I then met Dr. Tucker. He is an optometrist. I thought ok so he is optimistic but what kind of doctor is he really??? That is when he explained he is an eye doctor that checks your eyes to see if you need glasses. NOT this cannoli....no way....wear glasses heaven forbid. He did explain contacts and all these other options but I am so not ready to even consider that I might need glasses.I have to admit though that we do take a good picture together. I am not so sure I am liking this networking thing anymore.

The next person I got to chat with is Tim!!! This is a man after my own little cannoli heart. not only did he share his beer with me but he is a writer! He told me all about the different types of writing he and his company does. As we chatted I learned there was a group of writers that meet each month. Now that is something that this cannoli would love to go to. I may only write blog but who knows what the future holds... maybe a book...then a movie...ya never know! I also know another writer Debbie from Trinidad... I think I need to get these 2 people together.

There were lot's of other people there. My friends Marsha and Earl from the Hanger Dance. Insurance people, Bookkeeping people, travel people and people who love to work with animals and so many others and they all got along so well and were willing to help each other. I got to thinking that this networking thing might be a good thing after all. I mean really what is better than meeting new people and seeing how they can and do help each other. I just may have to do more of these networking type of things. 

Carmen