It's time to meet IRL (as the kids would say) 😉

I caught up with an old high school friend a few weeks ago. Although we've kept in touch through text and some work interactions over the years, sitting down for a casual lunch was a 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲. Having lunch and reconnecting - I learned how measured and thoughtful and super smart Seth Homer is. Something we can never feel through email and texts.

Then just this week, I grabbed coffee with Rob Shauger - someone I’ve known through passing messages over the years. Within minutes, our conversation flowed as if we'd been friends forever. Yet another opportunity to meet someone that is such a force for good. I'm grateful for the hour+ of his time that he gave me.

𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗲𝘄 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝘀:

  • In-person meetings create memory anchors that digital can't replicate

  • Body language and facial expressions add layers to communication

  • The shared experience of a meal or coffee creates mutual investment

  • Uninterrupted attention (without notifications!) builds genuine connection.

Taking us back to the business of small business... in our hyper-connected world, we've forgotten that 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦-𝘵𝘰-𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦. The most meaningful business relationships still form when we put down our phones and pick up a fork or a coffee cup.

It's way past time that we step up our in person meetings and get togethers.

𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻? 𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆!

#PersonalConnections #BusinessRelationships #Hospitality