What started out as an informal, after work gathering for drinks at the South Loop Hotel on the near downtown has evolved two years later into a weekly social networking event often attended by entrepreneurs, business professionals and the Black middle class.
In
November, Business Spotlight Networking outgrew the hotel and was moved to the
Red Kiva lounge in the West Loop at 1108 W. Randolph St. BSN is held every
Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
“This
event is designed and structured in a way to meet people of interest,” said
host and co-founder Dwayne Hirsch. “This is not a party spot but a gathering of
interesting and everyday people who want to listen and offer good dialogue.”
The
age range of attendees at the BSN is between 25 and 45, according to Hirsch,
who added that he is also considering an online show for the event.
Each
week a guest is invited to join Hirsch onstage to be interviewed. Recently
actor Brian Hooks, from such films as 3 Strikes and Soul Plane, was the
featured guest.
As
BSN continues to grow – largely from word of mouth and a Facebook page – this
spring it will expand to the south suburbs.
“I
have gotten a lot of requests from south suburban residents about holding a
similar function out that way,” Hirsch told the Defender. “I see this event expanding even further to the
West Side and other parts of the Chicago area.”
South
suburban areas being considered for the expansion include Olympia Fields,
University Park and Tinley Park. The weekly gathering is said by some to be a
big boost for home-based businesses.
Technology
entrepreneur Sophia Jennings, 26, credits the BSN with helping her increase her
clientele for her website company Wisegal Graphics Business Solutions.
“I
have gotten quite a few clients from attending. Now I make sure I am here every
Tuesday. It is really beneficial,” said Jennings, an independent graphic
designer and marketing consultant. “I would recommend that everyone comes here
whether you are an entrepreneur or not. The environment is right for anyone.”
Attorney
Shara Harris co-hosted BSN with Hirsch for the first time on March 8 and loved
it.
“This
was my first time co-hosting the event and I really enjoyed it. The atmosphere
is a family one and that’s why I agreed to be a co-host,” Harris explained. “I
enjoy meeting new people, especially Black professionals.”
Harris
was filling in for regular co-host and co-founder Andrea Lynn Dickson, who
Hirsch said was in New Orleans for Mardi Gras.
Author
Lotario Jointer was featured at the BSN. The Chicago Public Schools employee
self-published his first book this year entitled “L’Tario Love Notes.”
“My
book is far from what Steve Harvey put out. This book gives short love quotes
you can share with your partner,” recalls Jointer. “My purpose of coming here
is not so much to sell my book but to share my wisdom with others and to learn
from others about being self-employed.”
The
divorced father said it does not hurt that many attendees at the BSN are also
attractive single women.
“It’s
hard not to be relaxed with company like this,” he said.
Hirsch
is quick to dispel any notion that the BSN is a Black event.
“This
event is open to all races and is not targeted to Blacks,” he said. “Yeah the
crowds are usually Black but it is open to everyone and we are beginning to see
a more diverse crowd each week.”
Hirsch,
who has a sales background, works full-time as the BSN promoter, organizer and
coordinator. And thanks to sponsorship the event has and will remain free, he
said.
That’s
good to hear, said Donald Boone, founder and president of Boone Realty in
Chicago.
“I
come here for business and pleasure and both are sweeter when there’s no cover
charge to socialize. I have been coming here a few months and have always found
it refreshing to meet so many young, college-educated people,” Boone said.
Styling
and profiling is what entrepreneur Tony Deveaux said was his purpose for
attending a recent BSN event.
“Yes,
I am here to do business but I am also here to enjoy myself after a long day
working,” Deveaux admitted. “I have a mobile app business and I noticed that
many Black-owned businesses do not have an app so people can download to their
smart phones and that is a big mistake.”
Admission
and WiFi access is free and complimentary pizza is served until 7 p.m. And at 8 p.m. the meet and greet
atmosphere changes to a talk show format.
Copyright
2011 Chicago Defender
