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Our Story
The weather changed and our meetings became less frequent. Joe Head suggested that we start it up again, and find a place to accommodate us year round. Klye Morey approached Jillians, since they had a drawing for a free pool party and he had a relationship with them from another event he had at one time. Kyle took advantage of a marketing that Jillians had with the free pool party (everyone that would drop a card into the fish bowl would win one). When Klye called the sales office of Jillians and asked if we could promise twelve to twenty people a month, if they could see to it that we "won' once a month, always on the third Thursday between 4 pm and 6 pm; they were happy to help! We now had our place! Jillian's has always been supportive of our group. They have adequate parking and provide wonderful appetizers. At our first meeting in September of 2000, Joe came up with the name No Rules Networking. "No Rules" seemed to fit because we wanted everyone to feel welcome and not have to worry about rules and regulations as some other networking organizations have. We had 12 people at our first meeting. Kyle and I kept an excel database of those 12 people so that we could invite them back and we all added our databases to that list as well. As our group grew, we each added people to the e-mail list, people that would benefit from networking like we had. Kyle sent out the e-mail, keeping the announcements light and humorous, and the meetings were becoming more popular and effective. As I stated before, we had decided that once a month was enough, and some other "rules" that we came up for "No-Rules" were that we would never charge people to meet with us, and we would never have "floor time" or leaders. There would be no speeches; people would get out the group what they put into the group. Our trio broke up with Kyle moving to Arizona (But read on - he came back!) and Joe Head searching to create something a bit different than No Rules (NetWork Plus http://www.networkplusky.com ) - Joe wanted something that would be more informational, and dedicated to informing and promoting members through his website, marketing strategies, informational speakers, panel discussions, and networking roundtables. For this extra work there was a price tag though. It was discussed and we kept No Rules Networking exactly like it was, FREE, and easy going, no speeches, but plenty of time to get to know the other people that showed up. No Rules Networking has continued, and with its success, I thought that it might be great to help other groups grow in their networking as well. The e-mail messages (now sent out by me) started listing as many other networking events as I could find. Of course I supported Joe in his endeavor with NetWork Plus, but also listed were events sponsored by Sales and Marketing Association, Greater Louisville Inc., The Jeffersontown Chamber, and many others. The list has continued to grow as well as the amount of successes associated with No Rules. I look forward to meeting you and helping you improve your Net-Worth as well. No Rules Network now has about 65 people at our "get-togethers", which is really a better term, since they are not structured like a meeting. There has been several success stories from partnerships, alliances, and friends that have meet on those third Thursdays. I hope you join us and if you enjoy it, invite some of your business partners, friends, and advocates. In doing so, you will be sharing your network with people that want to share their network with you. Jillians, some time in 2006, closed it's doors, but No Rules Networking would not go away. We had a brief stint at the Blue Grass Brewing Company on Shelbyville Road for the remainder of 2006, but found the location was not really good for our kind of get-togethers. No Rules
At the beginning of 2008 and we are still going strong - we are having our meetings at the Fox and Hound Pub and Grill. (click here for map - it is right near Oxmoor Mall - Behind Star Ford - Next to where Bahama Breeze was - we sort of came full circle). We recently now have had our 9th year Anniversary, which was GREAT FANTASTIC It really is unheard of to have a FREE Networking event that has gone on for this long. I look forward to many more years to come with your support! Also check out our Christian Networking group called Work-Life Net-Working. We meet on the second Friday of the month at Ramsi's Cafe on the world. Also read what the Southeast Christian Outlook wrote about Work-Life Net-Working on September 25, 2008.(Click here to read)
John "Z" Zeydel |







