Great Business Networking

What Great Business Networking does

Great Business Networking (GBN) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit business networking organization founded in 2011 by Alan Thompson in Charleston, South Carolina. It operates a chapter-based membership model: local chapters meet weekly for 90-minute sessions under a structured agenda, with one member allowed per profession per chapter and a strict attendance policy (3 misses or 3 substitutes per rolling 6-month period). GBN currently runs 20+ active chapters concentrated in the South Carolina markets of Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Pee Dee, and Upstate, and reports a 92% member renewal rate. Its go-to-market is community-led and referral-driven: members are acquired through word-of-mouth, discovery meetings, and a 'Start a Chapter' program that recruits Chapter Organizers and Leaders to establish new chapters on a national scale.

GBN's product surface centers on a single paid membership ($295/year plus a one-time $50 setup fee, renewing on individual anniversary dates) bundled with several engagement layers: GBN Live (a weekly talk show broadcast on 8 social channels), GBN Tips (an educational video series, episodes through #100 in 2024), Snack-Sized Skills (monthly micro-trainings), GBN Peer Groups/Mastermind cohorts capped at 20 members, and in-person Networking Workshops co-run with G-Net via Eventbrite. Members also receive a perks program with Office Depot discounts and Clever Health/CleverRX prescription and telehealth savings. The underlying technology is a WordPress site on SiteGround with a Membershipworks-driven member portal and third-party marketing automation (Botbuilders, Google Analytics); there is no proprietary AI, app, or custom platform, and the value is delivered primarily through in-person rituals rather than software. Revenue is generated almost entirely from membership dues and setup fees, with no disclosed funding, no parent company, and no enterprise contracts.

Name

Great Business Networking

Legal name

Great Business Networking

Website

https://gbnonline.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Great Business Networking is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit operating weekly business networking chapters across South Carolina (and expanding nationally), serving SMB owners and self-employed professionals who join for $295/year to build referral relationships under a 'Friends First. Business Second' model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Charleston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues of $295 per member, with a one-time $50 setup fee. Membership renews on individual anniversary dates at the rate determined by the GBN Board. Members who do not pay within 10 days of anniversary are withdrawn and subject to new member application fee if they return.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Great Business Networking (GBN) is a 501(c)6 nonprofit that operates weekly chapter-based networking meetings where small business owners and self-employed professionals build relationships and exchange referrals under a 'Friends First. Business Second' philosophy. The core offering is an annual membership ($295/year + $50 setup fee) granting access to local chapters with one member allowed per profession, 90-minute structured weekly meetings with strict attendance policies, and member perks including discounts through partner organizations.

Product overview

Great Business Networking (GBN) is a 501(c)6 non-profit networking organization founded in 2011, operating as a single unified membership product with chapter-based networking at its core. The core offering is weekly chapter meetings where like-minded professionals grow their businesses through referrals using the 'Friends First. Business Second' philosophy. This core is supplemented by several integrated services: GBN Live (weekly member interview talk show), GBN Tips (educational video series), Snack-Sized Skills (monthly soft skills videos), Networking Workshops (partnered with G-Net), and GBN Peer Groups (mastermind groups). Members also access the Member Perks program with Office Depot and Clever Health discounts, manage their accounts through an online portal, and can start new chapters using GBN's chapter formation resources. Membership costs $295/year with a $50 one-time setup fee, with chapters meeting weekly for 90 minutes across South Carolina markets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• GBN Networking Membership Annual membership providing access to weekly chapter meetings, referral passing, networking events, and member perks. Designed for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and self-employed professionals who want to grow their business through referral-based relationships.
• GBN Chapters Local networking chapters that meet weekly for 90 minutes under a one-member-per-profession exclusivity rule, located in Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Pee Dee, and Upstate South Carolina markets. Members attend in person at scheduled venues to network and pass referrals.
• GBN Live Weekly live talk show that interviews GBN members about their businesses and airs across 8 social media channels and the GBN website. The show provides member visibility and ongoing engagement, and is bundled into the membership.
• GBN Tips Educational Series Weekly educational video series providing business tips and advice for members. Episodes cover negotiation, branding, customer acquisition, hiring, sales strategies, and related business topics.
• Member Perks Program Member benefit program offering exclusive discounts through partner organizations, including Office Depot savings on cleaning, break room, and technology items, and Clever Health/CleverRX prescription savings, TeleMed, Mental Health, and VetHealth services.
• Networking Workshops In-person workshops teaching networking skills, referral building, and 60-second commercial techniques. Delivered in partnership with G-Net and limited to 10 participants per workshop, registered through Eventbrite.
• Snack-Sized Skills Monthly soft skills video series delivered to member inboxes. Each video is under 2.5 minutes and covers soft skills topics such as telephone etiquette.
• GBN Peer Groups / Mastermind Mastermind peer groups limited to 20 members that feature speakers, business coaching, and collaborative problem-solving sessions for engaged GBN members.

Quantifiable outcome

• 92% member renewal rate
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Office DepotminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOffice Depot provides exclusive savings to GBN members including 20-55% off cleaning and break room items, free next-day shipping on orders $50+, average 10% off 200 technology items, and 5-10% off everything else. This partnership enhances membership value through cost savings on business supplies.
• Clever Health & CleverRXminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGives GBN members access to CleverRx Prescription Savings Card for discounted medications and Clever Health services including TeleMed Health, Mental Health, and VetHealth. Members download the app at cleverhealth.ai/GBNconnect.
• G-NetminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGBN partnered with G-Net for networking workshops. GBN Workshops teach attendees how to network at events, grow referral teams, craft 60-second commercials, and learn business tips. Limited to 10 people per workshop.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Alignable: Alignable is a digital small-business networking platform with a large SMB member base, competing for the same relationship-driven referral use case that GBN addresses but via an online community rather than weekly in-person chapters.
• Meetup: Meetup is an online platform that enables local professional and business groups to form and meet regularly. While not referral-focused, it competes for the same SMB time-budget and serves as a digital alternative to in-person networking groups like GBN chapters.

Direct peers

• Network After Work: Network After Work operates paid, recurring local business and professional networking events in multiple US cities. It is directly comparable to GBN in targeting SMB professionals through scheduled local events and membership-style access.
• BNI (Business Network International): BNI is the largest global business referral networking organization, operating weekly chapter meetings with a one-professional-per-category exclusivity rule — directly mirroring GBN's model at much greater scale and with a paid corporate infrastructure.
• LeTip International: LeTip is a long-standing US business referral network built around weekly lunch meetings and one-member-per-profession chapters. It competes for the same SMB member demographic as GBN with a similar structured-meeting format.

Broad incumbents

• Vistage Worldwide: Vistage operates paid peer advisory groups for CEOs and business owners, combining small-group meetings with executive coaching. It is comparable as a paid membership model for SMB leaders seeking structured peer relationships and referrals.
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and its local/state affiliates serve as broad business networking and advocacy organizations for SMBs. While not chapter-meeting focused, they overlap with GBN on membership-based business community and referral value.
• EO (Entrepreneurs' Organization): EO is a global peer-to-peer network for entrepreneurs with paid membership, local chapters, and structured events. It competes for the same SMB/entrepreneur member base as GBN but skews toward higher-revenue business owners.

Others

• Rotary International: Rotary is a global membership organization of local business and professional clubs meeting regularly for fellowship and community service. While mission-driven rather than referral-focused, it shares GBN's chapter-meeting, dues-funded, local-club operating model.
• SCORE Association: SCORE is a nonprofit network that provides mentoring, workshops, and local events for small business owners. It overlaps with GBN's audience and educational/membership format but is mentorship-rather than referral-oriented.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/greatbusinessnetworking
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/great-business-networking
• Instagraminstagram.com/greatbusinessnetworking
• Xx.com/gbn2

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Great Business Networking