STEM Mentoring

**SPACES ARE LIMITED – BOOK YOUR TICKET BEFORE THE EVENT:** **[https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1980464581877?aff=oddtdtcreator](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1980464581877?aff=oddtdtcreator)** Join us for an empowering evening at the **Women in Business & Female Entrepreneurs Networking Mixer** in London! This event is designed to bring together dynamic women from various industries, including entrepreneurs, business leaders, and professionals, to connect, share insights, and build valuable relationships in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere. **Why Attend?** * **Expand Your Network:** Meet and mingle with like-minded women from diverse business backgrounds. Forge meaningful connections that can lead to collaborations, partnerships, and mentorship opportunities. * **Share and Learn:** Exchange experiences and ideas with fellow entrepreneurs and business professionals. Gain new perspectives and insights on navigating the challenges and successes of your business journey. * **Find Mentors and Inspiration:** Engage with experienced leaders and mentors who can offer valuable advice and guidance to help you grow both personally and professionally. * **Foster a Supportive Community:** Be part of a thriving community of women committed to supporting and empowering each other in business. Celebrate achievements, discuss challenges, and contribute to the collective growth of women in business. * **Relax and Enjoy:** In a casual, welcoming setting, you’ll have the chance to build connections while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of London’s business scene. Whether you're an established business owner, an aspiring entrepreneur, or a professional looking to expand your network, this mixer provides the ideal platform to connect, collaborate, and inspire. **Who Should Attend the Women in Business & Female Entrepreneurs Networking Mixer?** * **Female Entrepreneurs:** Whether you're just starting out or have an established business, this is the perfect place to connect with like-minded women, share experiences, and gain valuable insights for growth. * **Business Leaders and Executives:** Women in leadership roles across industries can network with peers, discover new ideas, and find opportunities to collaborate with fellow professionals. * **Aspiring Entrepreneurs:** If you're considering starting your own business, this event will give you the chance to meet mentors, gain inspiration, and learn from women who have successfully navigated the entrepreneurial journey. * **Professionals:** Women from all professional backgrounds are welcome to build their networks, make new connections, and explore opportunities for career advancement. * **Freelancers and Consultants:** Meet potential clients, collaborators, and partners while gaining insights into the latest business trends from fellow professionals. * **Investors and Mentors:** Those interested in supporting and mentoring women-led businesses can find emerging talent, offer guidance, and discover promising investment opportunities. * **Women Looking to Expand Their Network:** If you're passionate about connecting with other driven and successful women in business, this event offers a supportive environment to foster new relationships and opportunities. If you're a woman in business or aspiring to make your mark in the entrepreneurial world, this mixer is the perfect platform to connect, collaborate, and grow your network. **Spaces are limited, so don’t miss out—join us now** and be part of a growing network of powerful women in business! **AGENDA OF THIS NETWORKING EVENT IN LONDON** 7:00 pm - 7:30 pm: Meet and greet. Upon arrival, ask the receptionist about the business networking event, and they will guide you to our designated area. 8pm - Elevator pitch 8:30 pm -10 pm: Informal networking Dress code: business smart casual. **Register now - space is limited to 50 attendees only!** **P.S. Click Follow for future event alerts!**

**PLEASE MAKE SURE TO BOOK YOUR TICKET IN ADVANCE TO ATTEND THE EVENT. YOU CAN RESERVE YOUR SPOT HERE. [https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1980803372208?aff=oddtdtcreator](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1980803372208?aff=oddtdtcreator)** **You are invited to take part in Women Entrepreneurs and Professionals Business Networking Event !** Join us for an empowering and insightful networking event designed for professionals in the dynamic fields of Women in Tech, Fintech, Artificial Intelligence, Startups, and Entrepreneurship. This event is a melting pot of ideas and innovations, bringing together the brightest minds and trailblazers in these sectors. **You will also be able to join the dedicated Whatsapp group for the event and start networking before the actual event.** **Event Overview:** * **Women in Tech:** An exclusive platform for women in technology to share their experiences, challenges, and triumphs. This segment focuses on empowering female professionals and entrepreneurs in the tech industry, offering a space to connect, learn, and inspire. * **Fintech:** Dive into the world of financial technology with experts and innovators. Explore the latest trends, discuss challenges and opportunities, and connect with peers who are shaping the future of fintech. * **AI:** Engage with professionals at the forefront of Artificial Intelligence. Whether you’re a developer, a strategist, or simply an AI enthusiast, this segment offers a deep dive into emerging technologies, ethical considerations, and groundbreaking applications. * **Startups:** A space for startup founders and entrepreneurs to network, share stories, and gain insights. This segment is perfect for those looking to scale their startups, seeking mentorship, or wanting to learn from successful entrepreneurial journeys. * **Entrepreneurs:** Connect with fellow entrepreneurs across various industries. Discuss strategies, share experiences, and explore potential collaborations. This is an ideal platform for both seasoned and aspiring entrepreneurs. * * **Why Attend?** * **Networking Opportunities:** Meet and connect with professionals across diverse yet interconnected fields. * **Knowledge Sharing:** Learn from leaders and peers, and gain valuable insights that can propel your career or business forward. * **Collaboration and Growth:** Discover potential collaborations, partnerships, and ways to expand your professional network. * **Inspiration:** Get inspired by success stories and innovative ideas that are driving these industries. **Who Should Attend the event?** * **Female Professionals in Tech** * **Fintech Enthusiasts and Professionals** * **AI Innovators and Tech Buffs** * **Startup Founders and Team Members** * **Aspiring Entrepreneurs** * **Investors and Venture Capitalists** * **Business Consultants and Advisors** * **Academics and Researchers** This diverse group of attendees ensures a dynamic and multifaceted networking event, full of potential for new insights, collaborations, and business development opportunities. How our event works: 7.00pm - When you arrive your name will be checked off the guest list, the host will direct everyone to the reserved area and explain how the event will work. 7.30pm – Event starts, you will be introduced to each other in a nice relaxed environment in the semi private reserved area. 8 pm - Short presentations. 8:30 pm- Networking 10 pm - Event ends, all guests are welcome to stay and enjoy chatting with each other. Dress code is either business or office attire or smart casual, no T-shirts, no trainers. Ticket for 1 person allows 1 person to enter the venue from 7pm If you have any questions email contact@thebusinessminds.co.uk Please Note: **Tickets need to be bought online and are not available at the door.**

A special event to uplift, inspire, and provoke new ideas. **THE BACKSTORY:** At a recent [THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS IN PUBS](https://www.meetup.com/thought-experiments-in-pubs) event, someone on my table said: ***“This is the best book I’ve ever read”*.** The rest of us leaned in a little further and paid closer attention. The person told us about a book they'd read, years ago, and how it had changed their life. This moment stuck in my mind and I found myself pondering the idea of other people as curators, or filters of information. In a time where we have access to unprecedented amounts of information, filtering is valuable. It felt like a privilege to hear about someone's *favourite* book. It was also very uplifting to hear someone talk so positively about something they love. **So, I envisioned** **a meetup where people would have the opportunity to share something they love and to hear what other people love right off the bat.** **What kinds of things do you mean?** **Anything!** * A song that moves you * The time of day when you feel most alive * An idea you came across recently * A memory * A character (etc. etc.). **HOW WE'LL DO IT, logistically:** * Split into small groups, 3-4 people * 20 minutes to share about your respective 'artefacts'. I will play a sound every 5 minutes so that you have a sense of the time and can make sure everyone has space to talk. * Shuffle groups * Another 20 minutes in a new group to share about your original 'artefact' or something new * Shuffle groups * A final 20 minutes for either another round of shares, or free flowing conversation This is a pilot event, so the format is still subject to evolution, but **if you feel like being presented with a unique bouquet of other people’s favourite things, please join us.** **NOTES ON THE GENERAL ATMOSPHERE**: * Relaxed, laid back, friendly. * No pressure to share. * Everyone loves a good listener. Be generous and respectful with your listening. * Feel free to suggest tweaks to the format, there's always room for improvement. **WHERE WE'LL MEET**: This group will be at The Betjeman Arms. The nearest Tube station is King's Cross St. Pancras. You can access the pub either from the street (entrance to the right of The St Pancras Hotel entrance) or via St Pancras Station (entrance from the upstairs train platforms). We'll be in the private dining room - ask at the bar if you can't find us. **WHO SHOULD COME**: Everyone! The more perspectives, the richer the conversation. This group is not about presenting a perfect share, its about offering something you love to the group and listening to other people's 'loves'. In doing so, we hope to inspire, uplift, and get to know one another. I'm so looking forward to meeting & talking with you in this beautiful pub :-) You can read more about my rationale for meetups like this here: [SUBSTACK](https://experimentsingroupwisdom.substack.com/) And if you would like to further support them, you can do so here: ['buy me a coffee'](https://buymeacoffee.com/bonnyastor) Thank you!

**Kindly note that this is a paid event and the average number of attendees for our events is 60-70 people. You can register on [https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/win-win-connector-leadership-networking-for-business-owners-directors-tickets-1981875491947?aff=meetup](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/win-win-connector-leadership-networking-for-business-owners-directors-tickets-1981875491947?aff=meetup)** Values-driven networking for business owners & directors focused on human-first, win-win relationships, collaboration, and ethical growth. Join **London Connector®** for a leadership networking event created for **business owners, company directors, founders, and senior entrepreneurs** who believe business starts *human-to-human* and grows through **win-win collaboration**. This event is for leaders who value **integrity, cooperation, and long-term relationships**, and who want to grow their business in a way that aligns with their ethics. ## **About This Event** The **Win-Win Connector®** brings together **like-minded entrepreneurs and directors in London** who intentionally seek cooperation, shared learning, and mutual growth. You will be welcome in a focused environment where relationships are built on trust, values, and a genuine desire to grow together. ## **Why Attend** You will connect with people who share your mindset and approach to business: * ✔️ **Business owners & directors** only * ✔️ **Meaningful, focused conversations** * ✔️ **Win-win business collaboration** * ✔️ **Values-aligned professional relationships** **Leadership Networking → Collaboration → Sustainable Growth** ## **What You’ll Experience** * 🤝 **Relevant connections** with founders, directors, and entrepreneurs * 💬 **Clear, thoughtful conversations** about leadership and business growth * 🚀 **Practical collaboration** leading to partnerships, clients, and long-term allies ## **Who Should Attend** This London networking event is ideal for: * Company Owners & Directors * Founders & Entrepreneurs * Senior Decision-Makers * Investors & Innovators * Business professionals who value ethics and cooperation If you believe business should be **human-first, ethical, and win-win**, this event is for you. ## **What You’ll Leave With** * Strategic, values-aligned partnerships * Real business opportunities * A trusted professional network * Long-term, win-win relationships ## **Agenda & Format** * 🕕 **From 6:00 PM onwards:** Free-format networking * 🎤 **Fully hosted event:** Curated introductions and light facilitation throughout the evening. The evening is designed to allow natural, high-quality conversations while ensuring guests are welcomed, supported, and connected with intention. ## **🔵 Register Now** Click **“Get Tickets”** to join the **Win-Win Connector® Leadership Networking Event in London**. * [United Kingdom Events](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom/events/) * [Greater London Events](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--greater-london/events/) * [Things to do in London](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/ttd/united-kingdom--london/) * [London Networking](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/networking/) * [London Business Networking](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/business--networking/) * [#networking](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23networking/) * [#wealth](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23wealth/) * [#startup](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23startup/) * [#investors](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23investors/) * [#entrepreneur](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23entrepreneur/) * [#london](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23london/) * [#hnwi](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23hnwi/) * [#businessnetworking](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23businessnetworking/) * [#business_professional](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23business_professional/) * [#londonconnector](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--london/%23londonconnector/)

The Amplify Her Bootcamp is an 8-Week Accelerating Programme designed to take your artist career to the next level. We are beyond excited to announce the launch of our very first *Amplify Her Bootcamp*: an 8-Week Accelerating Programme designed to take your artist career to the next level. **[PLEASE MAKE SURE TO APPLY HERE](https://www.wixforms.com/f/7416847898047939709)** This immersive Bootcamp is for artists ready to elevate *every* aspect of their journey — from powerful live performances to building a genuine, engaged fan base — all culminating in the opportunity to perform at our iconic Amplify Her Showcase in London. The Amplify Her Bootcamp is an 8-week accelerating programme designed to build artists' fan base, deepen audience connection, and elevate their live performance, culminating in a professionally produced Amplify Her Showcase on 30th April. This bootcamp is for artists who are ready to step into their next level with clarity, confidence, and community. Across eight weeks, you’ll receive hands-on guidance, live coaching, performance development, and strategic tools to support both your creative and career growth. **What to expect** * Build and grow a genuine, engaged fan base * Clarify your brand, purpose, and artistic “why.” * Develop a strong, sustainable social media strategy * Level up your live performance and stage presence * Set clear goals and leave with a personalized action plan * Perform at an Amplify Her Showcase in front of a supportive audience and industry peers **Programme Schedule** **23rd February** – Meet & Greet: Setting expectations, goals, and intentions- (Online) 6 pm to 8 pm **4th March** Live performance & coaching (in person) 6 pm to 8 pm **11th March**– Branding, your “why,” and growing your fan base **25th March**– Social media strategy **1st April** – Performance level-up (Part 2) & progress check-in **8th April**– Black Book building & goal revision **15th April**– Performance development & show production **22nd April** – Final push & showcase preparation **30th April** – **Amplify Her Showcase** *This is more than a bootcamp — it’s a space to be seen, supported, challenged, and celebrated.* If you would like to participate, **[apply here.](https://www.wixforms.com/f/7416847898047939709)**[ ](https://www.wixforms.com/f/7416847898047939709)**Only 5 spots available** **Bootcamp Investment:** £239.00 **Amplify Her Members receive 25% off** **Follow us on:** [https://www.instagram.com/amplify_herLive/](http://%5Bhttps://www.instagram.com/amplify_herLive/%5D(https://www.instagram.com/amplify_herLive/) "\[https://www.instagram.com/amplify_herLive/\](https://www.instagram.com/amplify_herLive/)") [https://www.amplifyher.co.uk/](http://%5Bhttps://www.amplifyher.co.uk/%5D(https://www.amplifyher.co.uk/) "\[https://www.amplifyher.co.uk/\](https://www.amplifyher.co.uk/)") [https://www.linkedin.com/company/amplifyher/](http://%5Bhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/amplifyher/%5D(https://www.linkedin.com/company/amplifyher/) "\[https://www.linkedin.com/company/amplifyher/\](https://www.linkedin.com/company/amplifyher/)")

This is a **theatre** and **livestream** talk from the **Royal Institution of Great Britain.** Join Astrophysicist **Jonathan Tennyson** as he explores how improvements in spectroscopy are changing our understanding of exoplanets. **ADVANCE BOOKING AND PAYMENT IS REQUIRED FOR THIS TALK.** **More details and booking instructions on the RI web site:** **[https://www.rigb.org/whats-on/discourse-discovering-what-exoplanets-are-made](https://www.rigb.org/whats-on/discourse-discovering-what-exoplanets-are-made)** **SUMMARY** We now know that essentially every star in the galaxy supports a planetary system – so far, over 6000 exoplanets have been positively identified and grouped in 4600 planetary systems, and this number continues to grow. The investigation of exoplanets has focused on their composition, formation, and habitability. These questions are best answered by monitoring light emissions from the planet and capturing these data from spectroscopy. In the second Discourse of 2026, astrophysicist **Jonathan Tennyson** will join us to explore how advancements in spectroscopy are transforming our understanding of exoplanets. Jonathan will examine the two main issues currently facing researchers observing exoplanets: for some exoplanets, their temperatures far exceed those on Earth and produce much richer and more complex spectra. And for the majority, we cannot directly see them at all. Discover the techniques being used to address these issues and obtain the spectral signatures of planets, combined with quantum mechanical methods. This is a theatre and livestream event for an adult audience, where the speakers and audience in our Theatre are joined by our audience online. **The livestream will go live around 7.10pm, and the talk will begin at 7.20pm. If you register but miss the livestream, the video will be available to you via the same link for two weeks after the event date.** For more information on livestreams, see the information below, or [visit our FAQs page](https://www.rigb.org/whats/faqs-ri-livestreams). Please use the event link you have been provided with. By booking to attend events at the Royal Institution, you confirm that you have read and accept the Ri's [event terms and conditions](https://www.rigb.org/terms-and-conditions). You also agree to abide by [our code of conduct](https://www.rigb.org/about-us/how-were-run/our-code-conduct-ri-visitors), and help to create a great experience for yourself and your fellow participants.

This **in-person theatre** and **livestream** talk is available online from Gresham College to Basingstoke Science subscribers. **ADVANCE BOOKING AND PAYMENT IS REQUIRED FOR THIS TALK.** **More details and booking instructions on the Gresham web site:** **[https://www.gresham.ac.uk/whats-on/out-reach](https://www.gresham.ac.uk/whats-on/out-reach)** **SUMMARY** #### Part of: [The Future of Work](https://www.gresham.ac.uk/watch-now/series/future-work) Right now, the technological challenge we are most likely to face in the labour market is ‘frictional’ technological unemployment – where there is plenty of work available, but not enough people are able to do it. This lecture explores the phenomenon and its main causes – that people might lack the right skills for the work, not live in the place where the work is created, or have an identity that is at odds with the nature of the work. **LIVESTREAM TIMING** **The livestream will go live at 5.55pm, and the introduction will begin at 6.00pm. If you register but miss the livestream, the video will be available to you via the same link for two weeks after the event date.** For more information on livestreams, see the information below, or [visit our FAQs page](https://www.rigb.org/whats/faqs-ri-livestreams). Please use the event link you have been provided with. Gresham College has offered an outstanding education to the public free of charge for over 400 years. Today, Gresham College plays an important role in fostering a love of learning and a greater understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Please consider making a donation on their web site to support the work of Gresham College.

Over the past year, generative AI has gone from novelty to infrastructure. But while most people are still treating tools like ChatGPT as clever calculators, a small group are quietly rebuilding how they work around agentic systems, automated workflows, and personal knowledge bases. This talk is for anyone who suspects there is a big gap between “using AI” and actually being at the frontier. In this session, our own host Dr Manuel Corpas will share **10 concrete patterns** he has used to build a personal AI stack that now runs 24/7 alongside his research and teaching. Rather than a product demo or a hype talk, this will be a practitioner’s tour of what changes when you move away from simply ad-hoc promptings. Manuel will keep the examples grounded in genomics, health data and academic work, with patterns directly transferable to industry, clinical and data‑intensive roles. There will be time for Q&A and informal discussion afterwards (as usual, we’ll migrate to the pub after the main session). **About the speaker** Dr Manuel Corpas is a globally recognized genomicist and health data scientist whose work has advanced the frontiers of equity in precision medicine. His research spans population genomics, pharmacogenomics, and biobanking, with a longstanding commitment to underserved and underrepresented populations. As President of the Spanish Congress of Genomic Medicine, he leads the largest Spanish-speaking platform for genomic health equity. He has been a driving force behind major sequencing efforts such as the Peruvian Genome Project, which expands global reference datasets to include diverse Indigenous and Latin American populations. He has contributed to widely adopted clinical and open‑source tools, including DECIPHER for rare disease diagnosis and BioJS for genomic data visualization. Approximate schedule (@University of Westminster – Cavendish Campus): * 18:30 – doors open * 18:45 – chitchat, announcements * 19:00 – talk starts * 19:45 – talk ends, adjourn to pub Please RSVP at least the day before, and make sure your Meetup name is recognisable (e.g. “J Smith” rather than “weaselstabber”) so reception can match you to the attendee list and direct you to the room.

In February, we are taking a look at what is happening with agentic AI and data pipelines 🙌 Join us in lively Hoxton as we learn from Carmen's and Laura's learning from real-world experiences with agentic AI systems in data pipelines. We are running this event in collaboration with **[Sahaj Software](http://www.sahaj.ai)**. **6pm:** Doors Open **6:30pm:** Talks Start 🗣️The Speakers🗣️ ***Beyond the Hype: Practical AI for Real-World Data Engineering Time Sinks*** ***Carmen Mardiros, Solution Consultant at*** ***[Sahaj Software](https://www.sahaj.ai/)*** ***([Carmen's LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmenmardiros/))*** ***Abstract*:** While the world is obsessed with agentic self-healing ETL pipelines, data engineers everywhere still spend hours upon hours on the same tasks as before -- debugging failing tests, exposing new fields into pipelines, navigating schema changes, QA-ing data and business logic. In this session we'll look at some practical examples from the trenches around how to shrink those time sinks using AI coding assistants so that you can spend more time on what really matters. Examples are dbt-based and Claude Code but accompanied by core tenets applicable to any stack and any coding assistant. ***Carmen's Bio:*** Carmen Mardiros has worked around analytics and data for 15 years. Her experience covers areas such as Data architecture design and implementation and has worked in roles that cover Data Strategist, Lead Data Engineer, Data Warehouse Architect, Tracking Developer, Product/Project Manager, Technical BA, Insight Analyst, Data Modeller. ***Agentic AI for Data Pipelines: Our Good, Bad, and Ugly Learnings*** ***Laura Bogaert, Co-Founder and COO at [Tracer.cloud](https://www.tracer.cloud/)*** ***([Laura's LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-bogaert/))*** ***Abstract:*** As teams move from single models to agentic systems, data pipelines present a uniquely hard production challenge: failures are distributed, context is fragmented, and root-cause analysis is slow. This talk shares practical learnings from building agentic AI systems for troubleshooting real-world data pipelines, including what worked, what didn’t, and why data ontology and context management are critical. Attendees will leave with concrete insights into designing agentic architectures that actually hold up in production. ***Laura's Bio:*** Laura is a co-founder of [Tracer.cloud](http://tracer.cloud/), where she works on building agentic AI systems for alert investigation in production data pipelines across industries. She started her career at McKinsey as part of the fintech and biopharmaceutical team working on AI strategy and M&A. She holds a BSc from University College London and a MSc from Oxford University. **8pm:** Talks finish. We have the space for networking until 9pm. There will be a short break between the talks. Afterwards, we may head to a pub to continue chatting. You can sign up by subscribing to this event 🚨**IMPORTANT**: Please make sure to have a ***valid form of ID***. See you all on the 26th February🤩 Happy Networking 🍻 **About our collaborators**: [Sahaj](https://www.sahaj.ai/) is an artisanal technology services company crafting purpose-built AI and data-led solutions for our clients. By attending this event, you agree to abide by our rules of conduct: * Respect others' opinions which may differ from your own. * Keep it appropriate - no harassment of fellow attendees will be tolerated. * If you see something or have a complaint, please reach out to one of the organisers on LinkedIn or email events@dataengineerslondon.com.

Join the CONNECTED Westerville Mastermind Group for a dynamic afternoon of B2B networking! This event is perfect for professionals looking to expand their business connections, share insights, and foster collaboration within the community. Whether you are a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this event offers a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas, build relationships, and grow your network in a supportive environment. Connect with like-minded individuals, explore potential partnerships, and discover new opportunities for professional growth. Don't miss out on this chance to enhance your business network and take your career to the next level with CONNECTED Westerville Mastermind Group! We meet the 4th Monday of every month from 11am-1pm. Welcome and general networking from 11am - 11:30am with core meeting 11;30 - 12:30 and a final round of networking from 12:30 - 1pm.

Join other experienced and aspiring agile coaches and professionals to: * develop and practice your coaching skills in a peer-to-peer environment * share current successes and challenges in your work environment and get support from each other * learn from each other, build better relationships and experiment with new ideas

Bring your business cards and network in person with other business professionals! Gold Star Referral Clubs is one of the most established professional networking organizations in the country, with multiple groups in central Ohio. Join us!

#### Turning Rentals Into Income: How Investors Pay Off Properties Faster #### **Featuring Guest Speaker: John Blackburn** **👉 Get your FREE TICKET [HERE](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/turning-rentals-into-income-how-investors-pay-off-properties-faster-tickets-1980492192461?aff=cicmeetupapp)** #### A lot of people get into real estate because they want freedom. Then they buy a rental…and realize most of the rent goes straight to the bank. They technically own property, but the mortgage controls the income. And waiting 30 years for properties to be paid off doesn’t feel realistic. This meetup is about understanding a different way to think about rental properties… one that focuses on paying them off sooner so the income is actually usable. **Featured Guest Speaker: John Blackburn** We’re excited to welcome John Blackburn as our guest speaker for this event. John has been actively investing in real estate since 2006 and has: * Been involved in **5,000+ real estate transactions** * Helped investors **acquire over $150 million in rental property** * **Raised more than $100 million** in private capital John didn’t start with family money or shortcuts. He built his portfolio by focusing on clear systems, real numbers, and long-term strategy. For this meetup, John will walk through how investors shift their focus from simply owning rentals to building properties that eventually pay them…without a mortgage attached. **What You’ll Learn** John will break down, in simple terms: * Why most rental properties don’t produce much usable income early on * Why buying more rentals isn’t always the answer * How investors structure their properties to pay off mortgages in a fraction of the time * How properties can work together to eliminate debt faster * What changes once rentals become free and clear This approach is often referred to as an accelerated paydown strategy — using rental income intentionally to reduce debt sooner, rather than waiting decades for mortgages to run their course. John will also share a simple calculator you can use to see how this works with real numbers and realistic scenarios. **The Core Idea** When a rental has a mortgage, the rent has one job: **pay the bank.** When a rental is paid off, the rent has a different job: **pay you.** Most people only see one timeline…30 years. This session shows how investors shorten that timeline and gradually increase their income as properties become free and clear. **Who This Event Is For** This event is for people who want more than just “owning rentals” on paper. * Rental owners who are tired of most of the rent going to the bank and want a clearer path to real, usable income * New investors who want to understand how rental properties actually build wealth over time before jumping in * People with capital who want to invest in real estate with intention and a long-term plan * Anyone serious about freedom and curious how rental properties transition from debt-heavy assets into income-producing ones **Event Details** **Location:** Ohio Brewing Company - 421 E 2nd Ave, Columbus, OH 43201 **Date & Time:** January 25th, 6–8 PM (Doors open at 5:30) **Cost:** Free (Seats are limited - RSVP required) **👉 Get your FREE TICKET [HERE](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/turning-rentals-into-income-how-investors-pay-off-properties-faster-tickets-1980492192461?aff=cicmeetupapp)** If you’ve ever wondered how rental properties actually turn into freedom —this is the room to be in.

Join the Columbus AI community for our quarterly gathering — a casual, community-focused evening where everyone has a chance to share, learn, and connect. These open mic–style events give anyone in the community up to **5 minutes** to present a project, share a tool, pose a question, or offer a perspective on the evolving AI space. No slides required — just a welcoming space to exchange ideas and keep the local AI conversation moving. If you’d like to take the stage, message **Chris (the organizer)** with a **title and short description** of what you’d like to share. Whether you’re deep in the field or just getting curious, come connect with others building and exploring AI in Columbus. Sponsored by [Transform Labs](https://www.transformlabs.com/services)

WQC has weekly Thursday night social nights at the Westerville Java Central. Come and grab a coffee and connect with the community: low stakes, chill environment, and tasty drinks. No registration is required; come as you are.