Let’s be real . . . I’m still in the earlier days of running my own business. Sure, I’ve been involved in top-level management for other companies, freelancing for years, and watching my father-in-law (and now my wife) run their businesses. So I’ve seen firsthand the not-so-glamorous side of entrepreneurship. The long nights, the ups and downs, the constant plate spinning . . . all very real.

When it came time to start growing my own business network, I knew I wanted to surround myself with other local entrepreneurs. But let’s also be honest. . . not every business association or networking group is the right fit.

There are plenty of options out there. Some people thrive in groups like BNI or LeTip. That structure works for them, and I respect it. But for me? It never clicked. Some meetings felt too transactional. Some felt like forced referrals. Others just felt… off. I went to a few meetups that completely turned me off from the idea altogether.

Then I crossed paths with the Yardley Business Association (YBA), and it hit at an interesting time.

They were in the middle of a leadership transition. A new crew was stepping up, and you could feel the shift happening. Jessica had just become president, and she and her team were bringing a whole new energy to the table, and one built around creating value-first events that actually serve the members.

The focus wasn’t on how many business cards you could hand out. It was about real conversations, supporting each other, sharing knowledge, and building relationships that actually mean something long-term.

And it’s not just Jessica leading the charge. The whole board deserves a shoutout for the work they’re doing: Gerri, Jake, Peter, Kathy, Ted, Gina, Sandra, Charles, Jeannie, Seth, and Paul. Solid crew who are putting in the work to make YBA a place where businesses can actually grow together.

That’s the vibe I was looking for.

So I jumped in. I support what they’re building 100 percent. They’re making moves, bringing people together, and building something that actually helps local businesses grow.

If you’re a business owner in the area looking for a group that values connection over quotas, and quality over quantity, I highly recommend checking out what the YBA is doing.

Here’s a bonus most people don’t even realize: being featured on the YBA site also comes with a juicy backlink from a high-authority local domain. For anyone thinking long-term about their SEO, that’s a quiet win that compounds over time. You’re not just building relationships, you’re building credibility online, too.

And if you’re at one of the events, well then come find me. I’m the guy probably talking marketing, sipping coffee or beer, and reminding people to keep it simple.