Reconnected

Network CDA resumes meetings with first remote ‘Business Buffet’ podcast

COEUR d’ALENE — Phil Anderson starts off the meeting this week with an easy-to-understand explanation about Network CDA.

“It’s a single category group of business owners that get together, try to do commerce with each other but more importantly, we spread it outside this room,” he says.

Anderson looks to fellow members Ed Bejarana and Joe Hume and adds, “Joe and Ed, tell me if I’m missing something.”

He is missing something, they agree.

“You are. You’re missing hair,” Bejarana said with a smile.

“I see the level we’re playing today,” Anderson answers, laughing. “That’s all I need to know.”

The zingers are flying early and often, as Tuesday’s was the first meeting of Network CDA in more than two months.

About 15 people turned up at Seasons Fresh Grill for lunch, business connections, and to be an audience to the first remote broadcast of The Business Buffet podcast co-hosted by Anderson and Bejarana.

The Business Buffet, which turned a year old on Sept. 1, is normally a weekly podcast recorded at Bejarana’s home studio. It’s geared toward offering advice and information to small business owners.

Anderson said they decided to record their first episode of season two at Network CDA.

“I think it’s kind of unique to start season two in a restaurant named Seasons,” he said.

The Business Buffet has listeners across the country and about 2,500 downloads.

“We’re connecting with business people all over the country who need some connections,” Bejarana said.

People can listen via iHeartRadio, Spotify, Apple podcast and other distribution points.

The Buffet provides a “motivational outlet.”

“Most small business people feel alone,” he said. “They feel like they’re stuck facing the world by themselves.”

Bejarana, a competitive barbecuer, compares The Business Buffet to a food line where you choose from different dishes.

“What we provide is an assortment of knowledge that business people can use,” he said.

Tuesday, in their 20-minute program, they chatted about the best ways to use LinkedIn.

“There’s 638 million users on LinkedIn and I think three of them understand how to use it,” Bejarana said.

Anderson corrected him and said it was four.

“And after today, maybe five,” he said with a big smile.

Ahna Largen is president of Network CDA, which is resuming weekly meetings from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays at Seasons.

They share leads, references, tips, services and referrals, as well as creating camaraderie. The group was formed about 12 years ago.

“It’s a great time to really get to know one another,” Largen said. “Because we need to have that trust.”

Bejarana said sitting down, “mano a mano, eyeball to eyeball, across the table and getting to know one another makes all the difference in the world.”

Kinsey Largen, group vice president, said she has been part of seven different networking groups.

“This is the only one I stayed with,” she said.

Why?

“Because of the people,” she said.

“As a small business owner, every referral you send to somebody is an investment in them and their businesses,” she said.

“If you’re sending a personal colleague or a friend of yours, you want to be sure they’re taken care of. Everyone that I’m going to refer to in this group I trust to take care of me, my family, my friends and my colleagues.”

Info: networkcda.com