Networking Today

Networking Today was started to increase awareness of local businesses and stimulate the economy of the northwest Knoxville area known as Karns and Hardin Valley. My name is Rich DeForest, I founded Networking Today in 2013 because I watched a great local restaurant close its doors due to a lack of exposure; watching this moved me to do everything I could to make sure this would not be the result of any other local business! Our very first meeting started with four of us; we met in the loft of Cozy Joe’s Cafe off Hardin Valley Road in Hardin Valley. We didn’t know exactly what to expect; we didn’t have any rules, but we had some experience from our involvement with the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce and local BNI Chapters; we used this experience to serve as the framework to get us started. As we grew, it became obvious that what we were building was more focused on the strength of relationships than any other networking group throughout Knoxville. We quickly learned that one of our secret weapons was FREEDOM; freedom within structure is as powerful as the founding of our nation! There is NO Cost, NO Categorical Exclusivity, and NO Membership. As we said above, freedom within structure is as powerful as the founding of our nation! Come join us!