It’s a Saturday, and one of Chattanooga’s busiest gathering spots is buzzing with questions. “Is there a female landscaper here?” asks one person. “I’m looking for a custom glass shower door company,” queries another.
A third seems frustrated as they ask, “Are there any local accounting firms that don’t charge hundreds of dollars an hour for taking five minutes to answer a question by email?”
This bustling beehive might not be the place to chat about how Chattanooga seems to be leapfrogging over winter and into an early spring, or whether or not the city’s latest deal for a new Lookouts stadium will be the one that sticks, but for people who are searching for a local service or for businesses that want to promote their offerings, it’s the place to be.
Just ask the local cat groomer who recently tended to a feline fur baby named Stevie Nicks. “By the end of our session, Stevie was so relaxed, she nearly fell asleep,” she declares to the crowd. “If you’re interested in scheduling a groom for your dog or cat, send me a DM.”
Stevie belongs to Cristy Powell, owner of Chattanooga Cushion Company and Cumberland Canvas & Upholstery. Powell is also the founder of the beehive, which she dubbed Chattanooga Business Network 2.0. People who enjoy sipping a hot beverage as they connect with others will have to make one of their own, or visit a local coffee shop, however, as CBN 2.0 is virtual.
Located on Facebook and operating as a private group, CBN 2.0 stirred to life in late 2021 when Powell launched it and then invited members of her personal network to join. After she announced the existence of the group publicly in November of last year, it saw a meteoric rise in members and activity.
Today, CBN hosts more than 7,500 members, making it a viable networking option for local businesses. Here, Powell discusses the genesis of CBN 2.0, its mission and its future.
Why did you launch CBN?
“Chattanooga’s small business community is my favorite thing about this city, which in my opinion is the best place in the world to live. However, we didn’t have a great networking platform. I wanted to ‘be the change,’ so to speak; to create a place for a genuine entrepreneurial presence and a grassroots connection.”
To what do you attribute CBN’s increasing popularity?
“I spent a few years building my personal network and becoming friends with all the entrepreneurial and artistic people I met along the way. When we launched, I invited 1,000 of them to join. People seemed to love it and word spread quickly.”
CBN was originally called “Chattanooga Small Business Network.” Why did you remove the “Small?”
“The simpler name is more efficient and memorable, and I didn’t want not-so-small Chattanooga-based businesses to be excluded.”
Many early posts consisted of small businesses introducing themselves and their services. How well did this tie into your mission?
“Each day since our inception, we’ve heard from our members about their companies, which include everything from creative startups to established pillars of the city. We’ve also seen an exciting influx of new ventures announcing their first days in business on the page. They’re making instant connections, and the content is genuine and is already making a remarkable impact. I’d say that IS the mission. Witnessing it has been awesome.”
Many recent posts have consisted of people searching for local products and services. Does this serve your mission, as well?
“Definitely. A few members in the beginning wanted to push for more customers, but I didn’t want to flood the group with irrelevant posts, and who better to have as a customer than a small business owner?”
A post from True Plumb doesn’t directly promote that company’s services but instead tries to inspire discussion by asking “What’s the deal with dripping your faucet?” What are some other unique ways businesses can promote themselves on CBN 2.0 beyond a digital hand wave?
“Interactions run the gamut from finding local goods and services to hiring and seeking employment. We’ve seen vendor connections, sponsorship opportunities for cool nonprofit events, announcements for cultural affairs like theatrical performances, concerts and festivals, and more. It’s truly the greatest networking group I’ve been a part of. It’s as though everything you might need to fully experience this city is right here.”
What kind of businesses can benefit from CBN 2.0?
“Everyone from bootstrappers to financiers, and startups to businesses with stellar reputations. Anyone starting out, seeking growth and offering services ranging from dog sitting to legal. The sky is the limit.”
Will there continue to be an emphasis on local businesses or will national companies and franchises with local outlets be welcome to join in?
“We vet every membership request for relevancy and are only accepting a handful of non-local(ish) companies at this time. North Georgia is a given and we have some in Nashville. We do have a few local franchisers. National and international are welcome, too, as long as they have a local base. We have quite a few of those, including my own companies.”
What does CBN 2.0 say about the need for unique pathways for small businesses to promote themselves?
“The natural way these connections seem to be happening speaks for itself. Since November, I’ve met and heard from a few others working toward similar endeavors. I’ve been invited to partner with them and believe we’ll have some exciting news in 2024 for our local business community.”
What kind of impact do you anticipate participating in CBN 2.0 to have on a business?
“I live as though every day of life is created by one’s choices and actions. As entrepreneurs, we’re creators, and we have a great deal of influence in this community. Earlier, we talked about the gamut from finding a pet sitter or upholsterer to seeing live music and finding a plumber or mobile notary.
We’re made up of more than 7,500 of Chattanooga’s doers, creators, owners and entertainers. We have legal, medical providers and charcuterie companies – and we know all the best food trucks. We ARE the community.”
You’re already planning in-person events. Tell us more about your plans and why you’re going face-to-face.
“We held our first in-person event last week. Attendance was over 150, and it was great to meet everyone. There’s nothing as effective as face-to-face meeting to really accelerate what we each want to accomplish through and within the group.
“We’re going to have small groups of members planning a variety of events ranging from speaker seminars to educational and other targeted workshops. We also have people planning hiking, kayaking, and pet-centric and kid-friendly family events. Again, the possibilities are endless, and I love that various members with many unique talents and ideas will lead each one.”
Do you have other plans that will offer members even more resources and opportunities for networking and promotion?
“Yes. I see Chattanooga Business Network 2.0 becoming an alternative version of the old networking standard, the Chamber of Commerce. Watching it evolve is going to be exciting.”
Who can join CBN 2.0 and how?
“With a few exceptions, you just need to live in the general area or have a relevant Chattanooga connection. We have many members in North Georgia and some in places like Dunlap, Rock Island and Nashville. A very select few requests have been accepted for small businesses moving from Atlanta and one from Florida but we do limit non-local requests.