Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Networking is broken. Once the realm of ambitious entrepreneurs, networking is now relegated to breakfast meetings, elaborate lunches, and the same 20 people sitting around a table. Networking, done right, can help to propel a business to the next level in name recognition, community relationships, and, ultimately, profits.

But we’re aiming to do more.

If you want business contacts, there’s usually the right people there to help you, but when it comes to the challenges of running, and growing your business, it’s not the right venue. But what if it could be?

The Exchange is a collaborative community of business professionals who find themselves in an active growth stage in their business. Whether they are building their book of business, hiring their first employee, hitting their first million in revenue, or scaling up, business owners can find themselves facing the same challenges, opportunities and threats across many industries and levels of experience. Through regular meetings, cultivation circles, panels and a digital community experience, the Exchange can offer resources to professionals at any stage of their business.

Members of The Exchange are forward-thinking professionals building businesses across many different industries. Members are collaborative, creative, authentic and growth-driven. They have established businesses providing legal, financial, professional, creative, technical, and philanthropic services to Los Angeles and beyond.

All members are carefully recruited, cultivated and matched to the “home” chapter of their choice. At this time, we do not offer “category exclusivity” but we work hard to create balanced groups that ensure all members specialities and expertise bring a unique resource to their chapter.

Currently, there are chapters established in multiple parts of Los Angeles including: Glendale, Pasadena (East and West), Encino, Century City, Woodland Hills and the Westside. Additional chapters in Beverly Hills, Brentwood, and Westlake are planned to open by early 2017. Some locations offer a lunch meeting, while others will offer traditional morning meetings. Please see events calendar for more details.

Each chapter is run by an INFLUENCER selected based on their unique ability to gather individuals around a central mission and influence the spheres of discussion around a central topic. Influencers are supported by their LEADERSHIP CIRCLE, a group specifically focused on meeting the membership goals of each chapter by offering educational opportunities, creating membership events and overseeing the collaboration among the group.

Interest Circles are groups specifically focused along interest topics or activities. The Exchange has interest circles including the Business Book Circle, Working Parent Circle, Happy Hour Circle and Fitness Circle. Members may choose to participate in as many (or as few) groups as they would like.

Cultivation Circles are small groups of 4-8 professionals within each chapter who meet independently of their chapter in “peer-support” type sessions. These meetings are intended to provide members the opportunity to hash out business strategies, challenges or successes among trusted peers. Cultivation Circles can follow The Exchange content guidelines or internally devise their own topic structure.

The Exchange will offer a member-exclusive digital portal to all members. In addition to allowing members to schedule events, provide testimonials, pay dues and view meeting rosters, the portal will allow moderated forums to members to allow for real-time conversation and group discussion. Additionally, The Exchange will syndicate your business-appropriate blog content via our web page, social media and newsletters, helping to boost your SEO rankings and expand your audience.

As of 2018, dues are $975 annually. Philanthropic partners (staff only) receive 55% annual discount off of dues. Dues include all chapters and circle memberships, digital forum access and content syndication, and free or discounted social events. Membership includes cost of lunch at home chapters.