We’re truly grateful to have Mike Ashabraner, Lin Schussler-Williams, and Mike Vardy share their wisdom with us today. Mike Ashabraner’s insights on the power of connection reminded us why building genuine relationships is at the heart of everything we do here at The Grand Connection. Lin Schussler-Williams’ thoughtful approach to gaining clarity and resetting limiting beliefs inspired us all to look inward and embrace our own growth journeys. And Mike Vardy’s deep dive into retention through intention and sustained attention gave us practical, meaningful ways to nurture trust and loyalty—both personally and professionally.

A big thank you as well to Steve Brossman, our incredible co-host, for helping guide this inspiring conversation. The collective energy and wisdom from all our speakers truly uplifted our community and reinforced why we come together—to support each other in thriving and creating impact. We’re so excited for us to take these lessons forward, deepen our connections, and keep growing together. Here’s to continuing this beautiful journey at the Grand Connection.

It was such a pleasure for the Grand Connection community to hear from Daniel Ruke, Steve Gaston, and Phil Herrington during this enlightening meeting. Each speaker brought their own unique perspectives to the table, and their insights were truly inspiring.

Daniel’s focus on the power of building human-centered business processes and leveraging the right technology to enhance value resonated deeply with everyone. Steve’s approach to simplifying business strategies while fostering meaningful relationships aligns perfectly with the values at Grand Connection. Phil’s story of how he transformed his sales background into creating a powerful community for collaboration and connection was motivating.

And a special thank you to Steve Brossman for his thoughtful co-hosting and for sharing his expert insights on personal branding and marketing strategies. Steve’s perspective on intentional networking, setting clear goals, and building professional relationships added significant value to the session. It’s clear that this gathering has left the community with a renewed sense of purpose and action, all while emphasizing the importance of collaboration, strategic thinking, and genuine relationships in achieving business success.

It was an incredible session hosted by Steve Brossman, featuring Stephanie Bonte-Lebair, Matt Alderton, and Leisa Reid, who shared powerful insights on profitable networking, AI-powered connections, and leveraging speaking to attract clients.

Stephanie discussed networking with intention and building empowered partnerships, Matt emphasized the power of hybrid networking and how consistency compounds success, and Leisa highlighted the importance of having a signature talk to attract clients strategically. There are so many valuable takeaways to implement, and it is exciting to put them into action!

Our first Grand Mixer of the year, hosted by Steve Brossman and Susan Jarema, was an unforgettable start to 2025. Despite challenges—including a Zoom bomber and an unexpected power outage—we powered through with resilience and laughter, embodying the true spirit of the Grand Connection community.

This unique event focused on finding and managing outsourced help, featuring insights from our incredible partners: Tawnya Sutherland of Virtual Assistant Networking Association (VANA), Peter Rea of Boomering, Inc., and Jessica Koch of Jessica L. Koch Consulting LLC. Together, they emphasized the importance of intentionality in building connections and leveraging resources to create meaningful outcomes.

From nurturing potential clients to cultivating offshore teams and prioritizing tasks that align with your values and goals, the message was clear: trust, relationships, and focus on what truly matters are the foundation for success.

GIFTS: Tawnya Sutherland shared a VA Success Kit and a touchpoints download; Jessica Koch provided a resource list on 100 things VAs can do for you and a slide on top VA investment tips; Steve Brossman offered a free masterclass on generating six figures as a profitable podcast guest.

Gifts for members are available in the Membership Hub.

What an incredible and powerful mixer with Linda Fisk of LeadHERship Global, Deborah Drummond of Mission Accepted Media, and Nadine Hanchar representing Positive Prime! Nadine, Linda, and Deb highlighted the transformative power of purpose-driven leadership and collaboration. Nadine shared her insights on the significance of Positive Prime, an online platform that enhances mental and emotional well-being through scientifically designed visual and audio sessions, promoting positivity and peak performance. Linda underscored the importance of authentic connections and shared values in creating impactful partnerships, and Deb reinforced how aligning with our mission will guide us to setting up successful business ventures and meaningful collaborations.

By staying true to one’s mission and fostering genuine, values-based relationships are essential for achieving sustained success and making a positive impact.

What a valuable Grand Mixer full of appreciation and connections! Robbie Samuels, Dr. Eric Zuley, and Bryan Daly had collectively emphasized the significance of authentic connections in networking. Robbie shared the importance of managing reviews for your book and leveraging social media to build meaningful relationships.

Dr. Eric highlighted the power of generosity and authentic engagement in fostering successful collaborations. Bryan shared practical tips on using humor, asking engaging questions, and focusing on others to create lasting impressions. Their insights collectively painted a picture of networking not as a transactional activity, but as a heartfelt endeavor aimed at genuine relationship-building.

What an incredible mixer full of entrepreneurial wisdom and innovative strategies! David Fagan kicked off the excitement with his dynamic talk on branding and publicity, empowering listeners with actionable insights to elevate their brand using news media. Jackie Lapin shared her expertise on how to get booked as a speaker and manifesting success, inspiring attendees to tap into their inner potential. Marc Jarrett took the stage with his captivating narrative of building an extraordinary ecosystem using WhatsApp through relationship-building, showcasing the power of community and connectivity in driving business growth. Dr. Richard Kaye shared invaluable tactics for securing media exposure and captivating audiences, leaving attendees armed with actionable strategies to propel their ventures forward.