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Your Free Resource
Hey Fellow Entrepreneur —
The Hickory Networking Guide is all yours.
This is designed to save you time and give you an honest breakdown of the major networking groups throughout the Hickory region — so you can decide if they're worth your time before you show up. I'll cover the types of groups, the groups themselves, and who to contact. Maybe one will make it into your new work algorithm.
Types of Groups
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Type
Formal
| —Structured meeting + handout |
| —30-sec elevator pitch required |
| —1.5+ hours per meeting |
| —Referrals documented + leaderboard |
| —Significant cost ·Strict attendance |
| —Seat exclusive |
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Sneaky Take
Show up 20 min early —you'll get bombarded. After the meeting you'll know exactly who to chase.
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✓Ideal for
Realtors ·Insurance ·Trades ·Lenders
✗Not ideal for
Start-ups ·Marketing ·Arts ·Creatives
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Type
Leads
| —30+ min ·In and out |
| —Openings + closings shared |
| —No presenter ·Nothing documented |
| —Cheap or free ·Loose attendance |
| —Seat exclusive |
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Sneaky Take
A networking version of a high five. The low commitment that attracts you will keep you from going deep.
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✓Ideal for
Established businesses ·Event planners ·Advisors ·Lawyers ·CPAs
✗Not ideal for
Start-ups ·Marketers
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Type
Networking
| —Come and go ·No structure |
| —Large events ·Cheap or free |
| —No documentation ·Attendance varies |
| —Non-seat exclusive |
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Sneaky Take
Great for meeting like-minded folks. Think after-hours events. Cliques form fast —think high school.
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✓Ideal for
Start-ups ·Marketers ·Creatives ·Barbers ·Stylists
✗Not ideal for
Low social batteries
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Major Groups in the Region
Catawba Valley Chamber of Commerce
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Leads
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Location
1055 Southgate Corporate Park SW
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Time / Frequency
Multiple Leads Groups
Tue · Wed · Fri — 8:00am
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Attendance
None required
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Price
$450+ / year (varying)
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Events
Monthly First Friday Brew networking event · Multiple ribbon cuttings per month · Follow on social for more
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Contact
Lindsay Kiesler, President —
lkeisler@catawbachamber.org
· catawbachamber.org
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BNI Foothills Referral Group
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Formal
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Location
403 Conover Station Library SE, Floor 2
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Time / Frequency
Every Thursday — 8:00am
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Attendance
Mandatory
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Price
$1,300+ / year + location rent
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Events
After-hours exclusives quarterly — Crawdads games, downtown Hickory/Newton/Conover, local breweries
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Contact
Cameron Pierce, Farm Bureau Insurance —
info@bnisoutheast.com
· Facebook
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The Caldwell Chamber of Commerce
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Leads
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Location
1909 Hickory Blvd SE, Lenoir, NC
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Time / Frequency
Every Thursday — 8:00am
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Attendance
None required
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Price
$500+ / year (varying)
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Events
One leads meeting per month becomes a learning session — an industry is spotlighted with speakers answering questions
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Contact
Brian Moore, President —
jointoday@thecaldwellchamber.com
· caldwellchambernc.com
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BNI Catawba Valley Business Builders
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Formal
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Location
1740 Tate Blvd SE
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Time / Frequency
Every Wednesday — 8:15am
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Attendance
Mandatory
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Price
$1,300+ / year + location rent
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Events
After-hours exclusives quarterly around town
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Contact
Daniel Whitener, Edward Jones —
Daniel.whitener@edwardjones.com
· Facebook
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★ Chris's Group
The Breakfast Table
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Leads
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Location
Granny's Country Kitchen
2145 N Center St, Hickory, NC 28601
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Time / Frequency
Every Thursday
Reception 7:30am · Meeting 8:00–9:30am
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Attendance
Mandatory
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Price
$600/year
+ $200/year — Hickory Algorithm website listing (optional)
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What Makes It Different
Seat-exclusive and scorecard-tracked — built for owners serious about giving and getting referrals in the Hickory market. Casual meetups at Hickory Cafe & Arcade on the remaining Tuesdays of the month, 9:00am.
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Contact
Chris Goldby (me), President —
chris@hickoryalgorithm.com
· Apply online
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★ Chris's Group
Hickory Algorithm Mastermind Group
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Formal
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Location
Different location every month
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Time / Frequency
First Tuesday of the month — 9:00am
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Attendance
Mandatory
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Price
$1,200 / year — payment plans available
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What Makes It Different
Book club · Outdoor team events · Growth-focused meetings with no sales pitches. Individual improvement first, transactional business second.
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Contact
Chris Goldby (me), President —
chris@hickoryalgorithm.com
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BNI NC CLT Morning Pacesetters
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Formal
Virtual
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Location
Zoom
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Time / Frequency
Every Wednesday — 7:15am
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Attendance
Mandatory
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Price
$1,300+ / year
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Contact
Savannah Knick, Guest Coordinator —
sknick@romeoins.com
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Hickory Sunrise Rotary Club
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Networking
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Location
Lenoir-Rhyne University
Fireside Room (cafeteria)
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Time / Frequency
1st & 3rd Wednesday — 7:30am
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Attendance
None required — visitors welcome
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Price
$65 / quarter
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What Makes It Different
A service club built on "Service Above Self" — community projects across Catawba County, including an adopted-school partnership with Viewmont Elementary. Relationships form through the work, not a referral quota.
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Contact
Steve Hunt, President — (828) 238-9959
· hickorysunriserotary.org
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If you have questions after reading, or want to talk through which group makes sense for where your business is right now — reply to this email. I read every one.
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The Hickory Algorithm
