New Christian Business Connections Group Hosts Kick-Off

The area's newest chapter of Christian Business Connections will host a kick-off event Monday, May 21 at 5:30 p.m. at 10109 U.S. 301 S., Riverview.

"The purpose of the event is to give people who are interested in Christian Business Connections a chance to see what we're all about," said Tom Reagin of Brownstone Insurance Services, one of the founding members of the chapter. "They can learn more about the group and find out if we're a good fit for them."

The group was organized by Janelle Duncan of Re/Max Realty Unlimited.

"Christian Business Connections is for business owners and professionals who want to help their businesses grow from a spiritual aspect," said Reagin. "It's a little different than other networking groups in that we start each meeting with prayer and have a devotion after prayer."

Then, like other networking groups, each attendee is given a chance to talk about his or her business. That's followed by a 10-minute program by a member.

"Then we do thank-yous for referrals and leads, have announcements and close with prayer," said Reagin.

The Riverview chapter meets each Thursday at 8 a.m. at the 11228 Boyette Rd. in Riverview. Meetings generally last about an hour, said Reagin.

The normal fee to join the Riverview chapter is $75 a year. However, the first 15 members to sign on pay an introductory fee of $40.

Currently, the Riverview chapter has 10 members. "But there are plenty of categories still open," said Reagin. "We have openings for attorneys, home services, just about anyone."

This is the fourth chapter of Christian Business Connections in the area.

The Brandon chapter meets Mondays from 7:45 to 9 a.m. at Mimi’s Café, 804 Providence Rd., Brandon.

The Valrico chapter meets Tuesdays from 8 to 9 a.m. at The Recipe Box, 147 E. Bloomingdale Ave., Brandon.

The FishHawk chapter meets every Tuesday from 7:45 to 9 a.m. at Beef O' Brady's, 4330 Bell Shoals Rd., Valrico.

In addition to weekly meetings, the CBC chapters host a quarterly prayer breakfast at Bell Shoals Baptist Church,

The next prayer breakfast will take place June 4 and will feature speaker Dan Shock.

Shock is president of RedRock Leadership,a sales training and leadership development company. Shock has more than 15 years of success driving benchmark-setting growth and expansion for nationwide organizations, including Fortune 500, turnarounds and start-ups.

To register for the breakfast, visit the CBC website.

For information on the Riverview chapter, call Reagin at 813-526-1855.