Renia (pronounced R-EE-n-a) Carsillo hates business silos and marketing hacks. So, she spends her days working with mid-size and small companies to integrate their business strategy with their impact strategy, design sustainable marketing frameworks, and find a growth cadence that works for their team and their lives. Renia believes founders are uniquely positioned to create a kinder, more equitable world. She is passionate about bringing C-level strategic support to the small and mid-size companies shaping their communities every day. Renia says, "Sustainable marketing is built on a solid business strategy. A solid business strategy is built on values-driven habits. Values-driven habits are built on healed/healing leaders. We can’t do these things separately. They’re all interconnected. ”
Transform Your Networking from Awkward to Authentic [Two on Tuesdays]
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Happy Tuesday, Reader! Remember the last time you attended a networking event? That feeling of standing around with a glass in hand, collecting business cards, and wondering if any of these conversations would actually lead somewhere? If you're like most founders work with, the word "networking" might make you cringe a little. It's earned a reputation that conjures images of forced conversations, uncomfortable self-promotion, and that nagging feeling that you're just using people for personal gain.
But what if networking could feel different? Authentic relationship-building could be the missing ingredient to your networking efforts. Think about those rare, magical moments when you connect authentically with someone who genuinely appreciates your work. Or when a like-minded individual introduces you to a contact who helps expand your business into untapped markets. These aren't just lucky breaks—they're the result of intentional relationship-building. The challenge is that most of us treat these moments as happy accidents rather than predictable outcomes we can cultivate. Introducing the VIP Scorecard—The Networking Tool for Impact-Driven Founders This week, I'm excited to share a free tool that's been transformational for my clients: the VIP Scorecard. This isn't another "work the room" networking tactic. The VIP Scorecard is a relationship-building self-assessment that transforms networking from an abstract, uncomfortable obligation into a meaningful practice aligned with your values. Here's what makes it different:
How The VIP Scorecard Method Works The VIP Scorecard assigns point values to relationship-building activities based on how meaningful they are to the recipient. The goal? Earn 100 points each week through actions that strengthen authentic connections with your "Very Important People"—not just your highest-paying clients, but your entire constellation of referral sources. Networking activities on the scorecard include...
When you consistently hit that 100-point target, something remarkable happens: referrals start coming naturally, business opportunities increase predictably, and networking transforms from a draining obligation into an energizing practice that aligns with your values. A values-aligned networking strategy is possible when you put people first. Check out our latest blog post to learn more about the VIP Scorecard and how you can implement it in your business. You'll learn:
Plus, you can access your own downloadable copy at the end of the post. No more awkward networking. No more business cards collecting dust. Just authentic connections that naturally lead to sustainable growth. I’m looking forward to hearing how the VIP Scorecard transforms your approach! Until next time, P.S. Have you experienced one of those "magical moments" of authentic connection that led to unexpected business growth? Reply to this email and share your story—I'd love to hear it! |
Renia Carsillo
Renia (pronounced R-EE-n-a) Carsillo hates business silos and marketing hacks. So, she spends her days working with mid-size and small companies to integrate their business strategy with their impact strategy, design sustainable marketing frameworks, and find a growth cadence that works for their team and their lives. Renia believes founders are uniquely positioned to create a kinder, more equitable world. She is passionate about bringing C-level strategic support to the small and mid-size companies shaping their communities every day. Renia says, "Sustainable marketing is built on a solid business strategy. A solid business strategy is built on values-driven habits. Values-driven habits are built on healed/healing leaders. We can’t do these things separately. They’re all interconnected. ”
Happy Tuesday, Reader! Today is many people’s least favorite day: The day most personal taxes are due. This week, I’d like to offer two mindset shifts for any of us who dread paying taxes: Tax Day Mindset Shift #1: In a capitalist society, when we love something, we generally want to give it money (paraphrased from Ronny Chieng—watch the full clip here). Paying taxes is literally what we do to show our love and appreciation for living where we do. If you can show me a well-organized society...
Happy Tuesday, Reader! The market feels more uncertain now than at any time since the 2008 financial crisis— perhaps even more so than during the pandemic for many small businesses. In moments like these, being impact-minded means adjusting our selling approach to meet the needs of the moment. Community-based businesses, in particular, should focus on addressing survival needs rather than higher-level wants. This shift in messaging is not about manipulation—it's about honestly showing your...
Happy Tuesday, Reader! This week, I am challenging you to sit with a question that I ask each of my clients: If your company’s goal is to scale (your sales, client base, etc.), why? I frequently find myself sitting across from founders who assume that scaling should be the goal of every company, but experience has taught me that this is not always the case. Way too often, the Why is the result of lazy thinking, relying on what all the other “cool kids” seem to be doing, or—at worst—ego...