Connections That Help Businesses Grow

September 17th, 2026

Sometimes the most valuable business resource is not a program, website or brochure. It is knowing the right person to call.

That was one of the clearest takeaways from our Q3 New Business Mixer. At the event, local businesses came together to meet one another and connect with business-support partners. They also shared what they need to keep moving forward.

Following the event, 29 businesses completed our Business Resource Needs Survey. Their responses gave us a useful snapshot of the challenges and opportunities they are seeing right now.

One need stood out immediately. Ninety-three percent of respondents identified marketing and visibility as a current business need. Hiring and workforce development also ranked highly. Business planning and mentorship, and access to funding or capital also ranked among the most common responses.

The survey also reinforced the importance of making business resources easier to find. More than half of respondents said they would like to learn more about local programs and partnerships available to support their business.

Growth is on their minds, too. Forty-five percent said they plan to expand, relocate or hire within the next 12 months. Meanwhile, another 31% said they are not sure yet.

Those numbers help explain why networking events matter.

Businesses do not just need information. They need opportunities to meet the people behind the resources. They also need chances to ask questions, build relationships and know where to turn when the next challenge or opportunity arrives.

We are grateful to Ortiz Event & Venue for hosting the mixer. Also, we thank our partners at the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce, SCORE and the Florida SBDC at FGCU for helping us connect businesses with resources. They also helped us connect businesses with one another.

Most importantly, thank you to every business that attended, shared feedback and made a new connection.

For us, the takeaway is simple: strong business communities are built through relationships, and sometimes the next opportunity begins with a conversation.