BREAK B R EA D , BREAK B A R R IER S
also tell us that we introduce them to people they may have never met on their own and that they eat at restaurants they may have never tried on their own.” FNL recently expanded to Albuquerque and will be gradually moving into other cities in the future as need dictates. And now, members who bring in someone new will get a percentage off the new membership fee. “We are paying our members to help continue building this organization up,” says Gates. “It makes sense they should get a piece of the pie.”
By Debbie Stone Photos Anthony Evans
Friday Networking Lunch By Friday appointment only 505.231.7328 gofnl.com
direction, others join. “It’s a fluid situation,” she says, “and we are constantly acquiring new members all the time.” She adds, “There are no boundaries as to who can join. FNL is for anyone looking to make solid business connections.”
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etworking is key to doing business in any community, though often the process can be challenging and fraught with much effort and time. Enter Friday Networking Lunch (FNL), a Santa Fe-based organization that helps business owners, entrepreneurs and professionals from different industries and backgrounds with their networking efforts. FNL’s specialty is introducing business members to potential
customers, referral partners, business associates and professional expertise via small pre-arranged lunches in locallyowned restaurants. “You don’t have to work the crowd to find someone to go to lunch with,” explains Barbara Gates, co-owner of FNL. “There’s no chase involved. We do the work for you.” She adds, “So much can happen over lunch. Business can and does take place then and there, whether its sales, marketing,
affiliations, possible collaborations, partnerships or even advice. When you break bread, you break barriers.” The company, which Gates founded with her husband Geoffrey in 2008, has about 200 members, but Gates emphasizes it’s really not about the number of members, but about the people who attend and the introductions they make. Many have been in the group since day one, and then as some move away or change life
The organization attracts people from a wide crosssection of industries. “We try and keep a base of at least a half dozen people in each field in order to retain some balance,” says Gates. “We get people who are sole proprietors, people with home offices who want to get out and socialize, individuals in transition, those who are new to the Santa Fe area and looking for resources, business support and more.” Membership is on an annual basis with three different levels offered: basic, silver and gold. Each level has its own set of benefits with costs ranging from $289 to $525 a year. Every week, members receive lunch assignments noting where they will eat and who will be joining them. Number of participants can be anywhere from two to five people. “When there’s less people, deeper connections are made quicker than when you’re in a large group,” comments Gates. “We get great feedback from our members who say they really enjoy the smaller, more intimate lunches. They Barbara and Geoffrey Gates