MUSCATINE, Iowa–As the owner of a new small business, making time to socialize outside of work can prove a tall order. Reaching out to other business owners about their experiences, successes, and lessons they learned the hard way can feel awkward. Beginning this month, the Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Start Up Muscatine initiative plans to address these challenges, and show local business owners a good time, by introducing Third Thursday Mixers.
The first Third Thursday Mixer will take place at Pr%f Social (208 West Second Street, Muscatine) from 5 to 6:30 p.m. May 19. The Chamber welcomes business owners to stop out, enjoy some complimentary appetizers, and get to meet other business owners from Muscatine County and surrounding areas. As the evening progresses, organizers welcome everyone to support Pr%f Social, a local small business itself, by purchasing food and beverages from their extensive menu.
To help everyone start off on the right foot, the Chamber will provide amusing and creative ice breaker prompts for guests to use as they wish. However, they welcome attendees to explore any topics they like with fellow entrepreneurs. “The purpose of the event is to provide an opportunity for entrepreneurs, innovators, and small business owners to network, learn from each other, and connect with local resources that can help businesses take the next step in their journey,” explained Marci Goodwin, owner of Leverage Social and the social media manager for Startup Muscatine.
A free event, any interested small business owner, especially those just starting their business endeavors, may attend. To ensure the Chamber provides plenty of appetizers for attendees, Goodwin encourages anyone planning on coming to preregister through Startup Muscatine’s Facebook event.
Because small business owners often have packed schedules, the Chamber plans to make the Startup Muscatine Third Thursday a recurring event, allowing people to drop in on Thursdays when they have the time to. Anyone wanting more information about future mixers should watch for additional announcements on the Startup Muscatine Facebook page. The page also features a wide variety of links and contacts for resources available to small business owners to help them as they start their business and as it matures. In tandem with the Third Thursday Mixers and other future events, Startup Muscatine plans to offer a whole suite of supports to all local business owners.
Getting to know other small business owners and sharing experiences not only helps business owners get better at what they do but offers much needed social support. With the first ever Startup Muscatine Third Thursday Mixer only a few days away, Goodwin looks forward to seeing many entrepreneurs turn out at Pr%f Social.” We’re excited to facilitate what we hope will become serendipitous on ramps and intersections across the Muscatine business community,” Goodwin stated. “Doing this in a casual and relaxed environment will allow for people to be open about not only their struggles, but also their needs as a business owner or aspiring entrepreneur.”
