Caffeinated & Connected: Professional Networking

Network with fellow LGBTQ + Ally professionals over a cup of coffee, learn something new from spotlight presenters, and support local!

Business Link Frederick is a professional LGBTQ+ networking and small business development group based in Frederick, MD that welcomes consistent allies. We meet for coffee, conversation, and networking the second Tuesday of every month with a focus on building unbreakable links between LGBTQ+ owned and operated or confirmed-friendly professionals. There is no cost to join or participate. Keep reading...spaces are limited, secure your spot early!

📈 Our Mission: To build a curated, preferred network of local providers who turn to one another first for any given professional need, while offering ample opportunities to promote and scale your business or personal brand.

🧑‍💼 Who Should Join: All professions that fall within group guidelines located within 25 miles of Frederick City Center (21701). This includes folks in towns like Clarksburg and Mount Airy who do business here. We are prioritizing:

• Solo Providers: Freelancers, Artists, Sole Props, Consultants
• Partnerships: Attorneys, Accountants, CPAs, Bookkeepers
• Microbusinesses: Growing firms with 3–9 employees
• Traditional Small Businesses: Independently owned, including brick-and-mortar

⚠️ Profession Caps: As we grow, our intent is to operate on a modified BNI model to maximize value and minimize overlap. We allow no more than two representatives per profession and one representative per national brand (without the stringent requirements of traditional groups).

🫶 Our Culture: We value relationship-building over transactions; active participation and mutual support are required, not just self-promotion.

🔒 Private Directory Access: Professionals who meet our screening requirements are eligible to join our private Facebook group directory. This is a tightly managed, exclusive space to stay connected, share resources, and pass referrals between our live events.

⛔️ Group Guidelines: Membership is strictly limited to independent, locally owned businesses, licensed professionals, and corporate employees representing traditional B2B or B2C models. Representatives from multi-level marketing (MLM) companies, network marketing professionals, or direct-sales corporate consultants are not a good fit for this group and will not receive directory access.

☕️ Agenda: Drip coffee is provided, specialty and food for purchase. Our typical agenda is in three segements so people can drop in and drop out as needed:

• 7:30: Open Networking/Business Card Exchange
• 8:00: Formal Introductions, Elevator Speeches, Spotlight Speaker
• 8:30: Speaker Q&A, Topical Group Discussion, Wrap-Up

We can't wait to welcome you!