The Hive CLT | MARCH Meetup – Marketing

March at The Hive is about one thing: getting the right words so the right people pay attention.

In a fast-moving world where attention is limited and competition is everywhere, clarity is your advantage. If people can’t quickly understand what you do and why it matters, growth slows down.

This month, we’re joined by Sloan Milliken, messaging strategist and StoryBrand Guide, who has helped hundreds of businesses refine their positioning, increase revenue, and help you get the words you need to grow your business.

Sloan didn’t start as a marketer. In fact, he once built a business without even having a website. But everything changed when he discovered that marketing works better when you use the right words to talk about what you do. Since then, he’s helped founders clarify their message, increase revenue, and attract the right clients consistently.

He’s worked with business owners who’ve seen real results:
✅ Booked-out calendars.
✅ Waiting lists.
✅ Revenue growth of 25%-100% and more.

And now he's bringing his strategies into our room.

Here’s what he’ll help you do:
• Learn the trick to capturing anyone’s attention with a simple messaging formula
• Craft three short soundbites that skyrocket the perceived value of what you do
• Use those soundbites to improve your elevator pitch in real time
• Make sure people remember & refer you after the conversation ends

We’ll then transition straight back into open networking so you can immediately test and refine your message in real conversations.

Because even as AI grows and automation increases, human relationships and face-to-face interactions still drive business. The ability to communicate clearly and confidently in the moment is more valuable than ever.

WHO THIS IS FOR
• Founders, operators, investors, and service providers who want to:
• Increase visibility in a crowded market
• Attract the right audience instead of chasing everyone
• Improve how they talk about their offer
• Build trust faster in networking settings

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WHAT YOU'LL GAIN
• Clear positioning so your business is easy to understand and repeat
• A simple messaging framework you can use immediately
• More confident introductions
• Better follow-up conversations that lead somewhere

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WHY THIS MONTH MATTERS
Marketing is not just about channels or tactics. It starts with words.
When your message is clear, marketing stops feeling stressful and starts creating momentum.

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BEST FOR YOU IF
You want more consistent inbound interest, stronger referrals, and better conversations without feeling pushy or salesy.
If you’ve ever thought, “I know what I do, I just don’t know if I’m explaining it well,” this room is for you.
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The Hive is Charlotte’s relationship-first entrepreneurial community built for founders, operators, investors, and business-minded professionals who value meaningful connections and long-term growth.

This monthly meetup is designed to create real conversations, strategic relationships, and opportunities that extend well beyond the room. Whether you’re building a company, scaling a team, investing, or exploring your next move, The Hive provides an intentional environment to connect with people who are doing the work.

This is not casual networking. It’s a room built for clarity, collaboration, and momentum.

WHAT TO EXPECT
5:30 – 6:15 PM | Arrival & Open Networking
Ease into the evening with relaxed, open networking. Grab a drink, meet new people, and reconnect with familiar faces.

6:15 – 6:20 PM | Welcome & Community Intro
A brief welcome from the organizers to set expectations and outline the flow of the night.

6:20 – 6:30 PM | Live Business Pitches (3 Attendees)
Three attendees will be selected from the crowd to share a quick overview of what they’re building or working on.

6:30 – 7:00 PM | Featured Topic / Workshop / Discussion
Format varies by month and may include a speaker, facilitated discussion, or interactive segment aligned with the theme.

7:00 – 9:30 PM | Open Networking
Unstructured time to deepen conversations, make introductions, and build relationships at your own pace.

📍 EVENT LOCATION (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY)
Heist Brewery – Event Space
2909 N Davidson St, Suite 200
Charlotte, NC 28205

⚠️ Important Notes:
• This is NOT the Heist location on Woodward Ave
• We meet in the event space located around the side of the building, not inside the main brewery area
• Please do not go to the main bar or indoor brewery seating

We strongly encourage everyone to carefully read this section before arriving to avoid confusion.

WHAT TO BRING
• A clear introduction of what you’re building or working on
• Business cards (optional)
• A collaborative, open mindset

COMMUNITY NOTE
We host these events every first Thursday of the month (holiday adjustments may apply). Many attendees return monthly, which helps build familiarity, trust, and stronger relationships over time.

STAY CONNECTED
Join the Hive community and stay updated on future events:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/thehivecltentrepreneursnetwork/