I love women’s business marketing groups! Elevating women has always been a passion of mine. Of course it is! I am one! I am also a female business owner. Before I moved from California to Texas I not only belonged to a women’s business group but led one for a time as well. These groups are based on relationship marketing, or establishing relationships with one another in order that we all profit from the experience.
The only time when these groups are not a plus is when participants don’t understand the concept of relationship marketing. Or maybe even deeper, the concept of relationship. Let me give you an example of one experience:
During time spent as a member of a women’s business marketing group, I met a young lady who owned a multi-level marketing business I was very familiar with. In fact, it’s a great company. We not only met at the group but she asked me for coffee and even lunch together outside the group. She was a very lovely lady who proudly pulled up in her Mercedes each month as the group met. She thought I had a great business and seemed very interested. We agreed to help one another find business by promoting each other. It appeared I had not only a new business connection but also a new “friend”.
Outside of the group that met monthly, we also met weekly and talked on the phone. Her main aim was for me to use her products, which I did. I loved them anyway! I used to be a part of her same company in years gone by and found great value in the company. I heard a lot about how much she admired me, and she might have. Yet, there was not a whole lot of promoting of my business on her end and a lot of promoting of her on my end. Even though I brought this up several times, things never changed. One day the moment had to come when I had to say, “I’m sorry dear, my services rendered have expired.”
Relationship marketing means to establish a mutual respectful relationship in which both parties, or businesses, thrive from the connection. Honestly, since we are about relationship on this planet, this is the best way to do business and to do life. Just remember that relationship is a mutual exchange and respect for one another. Both sides benefit from the connection, unless one is struggling and compassion causes us to help them out until they stand stronger. This is very admirable, by the way.
I’m writing this to say, “be careful”. Learn from my mistake. If you find yourself in any unequal partnership, whether business or personal, then maybe its time to re-evaluate the connection.
Loving you from here,
Dr Jenine Marie Howry
Jenine Marie Coaching and Ministries LLC
Life Lessons by Jenine Marie 