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Forks First Networking

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Forks First Networking

Education is the kickoff to the Networking meeting provided by the prior week's spotlighted member. What is required of each member?

Forks First Networking is a group of business professionals from different industries who meet once a week to learn more about other businesses in the community and pass referrals to increase each businesses profits. All members will then give their 60 second commercial each week where they talk about the value of their business and what type of referral would benefit them. On a rotating basis one member will be in the spotlight for their 10 minute presentation. This gives the member the opportunity to give the group a deep dive into the business and personal life of the sales professional we are networking with. After the 10 minute spotlight there will be a round of referrals and testimonials passed. Before the meeting is concluded there is a referral reality check and a door prize. Attendance (or a sub can fill in) and participation! What is the cost? $100 per year!!! Please send a message with your profession if interested. Only one sales professional per industry allowed in the group.

10/15/2026

🤝 Forks First Networking – Education Spotlight!

A big thank you to Lori Cariveau with Maximum Impact Promotions for leading our education portion this week and sharing valuable insights on effective networking! 💡

Lori reminded us that successful networking is about more than exchanging business cards—it’s about building meaningful relationships that create long-term value.

Here are a few key takeaways from Lori’s presentation:

🔹 Build Strong Relationships: Focus on trust, consistency, and getting to know the people behind the businesses.

🔹 Follow Up with Purpose: Constructive, intentional follow-up keeps relationships moving forward and shows people you genuinely care.

🔹 Add Value: Ask yourself, “How can I help my customer succeed?” The more value you bring, the stronger your relationships become.

🔹 The Three C’s of Networking:

Connection – Build genuine relationships.

Communication – Stay engaged and keep the conversation going.

Collaboration – Work together to create opportunities and help one another grow.

Thank you, Lori, for sharing your knowledge and reminding us that the best networking happens when we focus on helping others succeed! 👏

📣 Want to grow your business through meaningful relationships and referrals?

Forks First Networking is always looking to welcome new members! We meet Thursday mornings at Long Haul Saloon in Grand Forks, arriving at 8:00 AM with our meeting starting at 8:15 AM.

We believe in building relationships, supporting local businesses, and helping each other succeed. If you’re interested in growing your network and becoming part of a group that values collaboration, reach out to us about joining Forks First Networking!

10/09/2026

👏 A BIG SHOUT-OUT TO DARYL WOCKENFUSS OF THERMAL AIR!

Sometimes the best education comes from thinking on your feet! This week at Forks First Networking, Daryl Wockenfuss stepped up on the spot to lead our education portion with an important public safety announcement about the dangers of radon in your home. 🏠

💡 Did you know radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer? Radon is an invisible, odorless gas that can accumulate inside homes without anyone knowing.

Daryl and his team at Thermal Air install radon mitigation systems and have been working hard to build their knowledge and training so they can provide customers with the information they need to make informed decisions about their homes.

This was a great reminder that choosing the right business is about more than just getting the job done. Proper training, experience, and a commitment to educating customers matter, especially when it comes to the safety of your home and family.

Thank you, Daryl, for stepping up, sharing your knowledge, and reminding us how important it is to look out for our community! 👏

🤝 Interested in growing your business through meaningful connections and referrals? Join us Thursday mornings at Long Haul Saloon in Grand Forks! We arrive at 8:00 AM, and our meeting starts at 8:15 AM.

We welcome new members who want to build relationships, share knowledge, and support local businesses!

10/02/2026

🎤 Today’s Education: Start With WHY

At today’s Forks First Networking meeting, Roberto Lemus with the Grand Forks Spitfires led our education portion and challenged us to think differently about how we communicate what we do in business.

Roberto introduced us to Simon Sinek’s Start With Why and his well-known TED Talk, “How Great Leaders Inspire Action.”

The idea is simple—but powerful:

Don’t start with WHAT you sell. Start with WHY you do it.

Sinek’s “Golden Circle” puts WHY at the center, followed by HOW, and then WHAT. The WHY is your purpose, cause, or belief—the reason your organization exists beyond simply making money or providing a product or service.

In business, it’s easy to focus on the WHAT:

➡️ What product do we sell?
➡️ What service do we provide?
➡️ What do we offer that our competitors don’t?

But what if we started with something deeper?

Why does our business exist?
Why does the work we do matter?
What do we believe in?
What do we want our customers, employees, and community to experience?

Instead of simply selling a product or service, sell what it represents.

People may purchase a product because they need it—but a strong WHY can give them a reason to believe in the company behind it.

And this isn't just about marketing.

It applies to leadership, company culture, employees, customer relationships, and the way we build businesses. When people understand the purpose behind what they're part of, they're not simply following a task or buying a product—they can connect with the bigger idea behind it.

That gives us something to think about as business owners:

Are we communicating what we do—or are we communicating why we do it?

Thank you, Roberto, for giving us a great topic to take back to our businesses and think about from a different perspective!

And as always, Forks First Networking is about learning from one another, building relationships, and helping each other grow.

Interested in being part of the group? Reach out and come check us out! 🤝

09/24/2026

🎯 Your 60-Second Commercial Isn’t Just About You!

This week at Forks First Networking, our education portion was presented by Brian Fedji with Edward Jones.

Brian challenged us to think differently about our 60-second commercial. Instead of trying to squeeze everything our business does into one minute, focus on giving people one thing to remember.

💡 One customer.
💡 One problem.
💡 One situation.
💡 Or even better… one sentence that someone can actually hear, remember, and refer.

The goal isn’t to tell everyone everything you do. It’s to give your fellow members something specific they can recognize when they hear a friend, family member, or customer mention a need that you can solve.

Sometimes, the most effective commercial isn't the one that says the most—it’s the one that sticks with you.

A big thank you to Brian Fedji with Edward Jones for sharing this great reminder with the group!

🤝 Forks First Networking is looking for new members!
If you’re a business owner or professional looking to build relationships, exchange referrals, and grow your network, we’d love to have you join us!

📍 Thursday mornings in Grand Forks
🔹 One member per profession/category
🔹 Build relationships
🔹 Exchange referrals
🔹 Grow together

Come see what Forks First Networking is all about!

09/03/2026

📞 The Importance of Good Telephone Etiquette! 📞

At today’s Forks First Networking meeting, our education portion was provided by Robin Tracy with Elevate Physical Therapy and Performance.

Robin spoke about something that can make a huge difference in both business and customer relationships: good telephone etiquette! Your phone is often one of the first points of contact someone has with your business, so making a great impression matters.

Some of the key points Robin shared included:

📱 Answer the phone promptly
👋 Use a clear and professional greeting
😊 Smile while you speak — people can often hear it in your voice!
👂 Listen actively to what the caller is saying
⏸️ Ask before placing someone on hold or transferring their call
📝 Summarize the next steps so everyone is on the same page
🙏 Always thank them for calling

Sometimes, it’s the small details that make the biggest difference in creating a positive customer experience!

🚨 Forks First Networking is also looking for new members! If you are a business owner or professional looking to build relationships, grow your network, and support other local businesses, we would love to have you join us!

Come check out what Forks First Networking is all about and see if your profession is available! 🤝

08/27/2026

What are your customers actually hiring you to do? 🤔

At this week’s Forks First Networking education portion, Thomas Passa with Thoma Spas S.A. shared an important perspective: customers aren’t simply hiring you for the product or service you offer—they’re hiring you to solve a problem.

Your product may be what brings them through the door, but the real value is in the solution you provide. 💡 When we focus on understanding our customers’ needs, challenges, and goals, we can better serve them and create an experience that goes beyond just making a sale.

Ask yourself: What problem does my business solve for my customers?

A great reminder that successful businesses don’t just sell products—they provide solutions! 👏

Want to surround yourself with other local professionals, grow your network, and gain valuable business insights each week? Come check out Forks First Networking!

08/24/2026

🎓 Forks First Networking Education: 5 Tips for Being a Good Leader

Matt Eggl with Farmers Union Insurance shared some valuable insight during our education portion on 5 tips for being a good leader. Great leadership isn't about having a title—it's about how you show up for and influence the people around you.

👂 1. Active Listening
A good leader listens to understand, not just to respond. Give people your full attention, ask questions, and make them feel heard.

🗣️ 2. Communicate Clearly
Clear communication creates trust and prevents confusion. Share expectations, goals, and information in a way everyone can understand.

💪 3. Empower Your Team
Give people the confidence, tools, and opportunities to take ownership. Strong leaders help others grow instead of trying to do everything themselves.

⭐ 4. Lead by Example
Your actions speak louder than your words. Demonstrate the work ethic, attitude, respect, and accountability you expect from others.

🛠️ 5. Give Constructive Feedback
Feedback should help people improve—not tear them down. Recognize what's going well, address areas for growth, and focus on solutions.

Thank you, Matt Eggl with Farmers Union Insurance, for sharing today's education! Great leadership can make a difference in every business, workplace, and community.

❓Want to be part of a group where local professionals connect, build relationships, learn from one another, and help each other's businesses grow? Message us to see what Forks First Networking is all about!

08/13/2026

🌟 FORKS FIRST NETWORKING EDUCATION 🌟

This week’s education was provided by Vanessa Richter with Blue Line Custom Detailing, who spoke about an important topic every business owner should think about:

“Your Reputation Is Your Brand.”

Your logo, website, business cards, and social media may introduce your business—but your reputation is what people remember.

Vanessa shared how the way we communicate, follow through, treat customers, handle problems, and represent our businesses all contribute to the reputation we build.

A strong reputation doesn’t happen overnight. It’s built through consistency, integrity, professionalism, and doing what you say you’re going to do.

Because at the end of the day, people may forget your advertising—but they won’t forget how you made them feel or whether they could count on you. 🤝

Thank you, Vanessa, for sharing this great reminder with the Forks First Networking group!

Want to grow your business through relationships, referrals, and accountability? Come check out Forks First Networking!

08/06/2026

This week's education at Forks First Networking was presented by Daryl Wockenfuss with Thermal Air, and it was a great reminder that taking a break isn't a sign of slowing down—it's a business strategy.

Did you know? Stepping away from work can actually make you a better business owner. Taking intentional breaks helps reduce stress, improve focus, spark creativity, and prevent burnout. Whether it's a 15-minute walk, a weekend with family, or a vacation, recharging allows you to return with a clearer mind, better decision-making skills, and more energy to serve your customers.

The best leaders know that taking care of themselves helps them take better care of their business.

Interested in growing your business through referrals, education, and relationships? Come check out Forks First Networking! We meet every Thursday morning and welcome one representative from each profession. If your industry is open, we'd love to have you visit and see how quality networking can help your business grow!

07/31/2026

💪 Did You Know? Regular exercise does much more than improve your physical health.

This week at Forks First Networking, Dan Fjestad with the Altru Family YMCA shared how consistent exercise can:
• Boost energy levels
• Reduce stress and improve mental health
• Improve focus and productivity
• Strengthen your heart, muscles, and immune system
• Lower the risk of chronic diseases
• Help you sleep better and recover faster

The best workout is the one you'll stick with. Even 30 minutes of movement most days of the week can make a significant difference in your overall health and well-being.

A huge thank you to Dan for reminding us that investing in our health is one of the best investments we can make.

🎥 Check out this week's meeting highlights—and if you're looking to grow your business, build meaningful relationships, and learn something new every week, come join us at Forks First Networking! We'd love to have you as our guest.

Address

4720 Gateway Drive
Grand Forks, ND
58203

Opening Hours

8am - 9:15am

Website

facebook.com

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