From Conversations to Commerce: How ‘BforB’ Built a Scalable Networking Model
When Mel Fisher founded 'BforB' in 2001, it wasn’t driven by a vision of global expansion. It was a practical response to a personal financial crisis and a need to generate reliable business leads. What emerged was not another social networking group, but a structured, results-focused model designed to turn conversations into measurable commercial outcomes.
More than two decades later, that same discipline underpins an international franchise network targeting 85 franchises worldwide by year-end.
Networking with Purpose
'BforB’s success lies in its refusal to treat networking as a casual activity. From the outset, Mel embedded a focus on numbers, targets, and outcomes, tracking activity against results to ensure meetings delivered real value. This results-driven approach differentiated 'BforB' from social-only networking groups and quickly built trust among members.
Consistency became central to the model. Members who attended regularly, practised clear business asks, and engaged with the structure began to see compounding results over time. Networking, Mel emphasises, is a skill that improves through repetition rather than instant wins.
More than two decades later, that same discipline underpins an international franchise network targeting 85 franchises worldwide by year-end.
Networking with Purpose
'BforB’s success lies in its refusal to treat networking as a casual activity. From the outset, Mel embedded a focus on numbers, targets, and outcomes, tracking activity against results to ensure meetings delivered real value. This results-driven approach differentiated 'BforB' from social-only networking groups and quickly built trust among members.
Consistency became central to the model. Members who attended regularly, practised clear business asks, and engaged with the structure began to see compounding results over time. Networking, Mel emphasises, is a skill that improves through repetition rather than instant wins.
Scaling Through Member Insight
Expansion beyond Manchester was guided not by assumption, but by member feedback. As members travelled long distances to attend meetings, Mel identified demand for more local access. Surveys helped determine acceptable travel distances and assess community potential, ensuring new locations met real needs.
This customer-led approach revealed a powerful insight: every community holds an untapped business opportunity when supported by the right framework. It also laid the foundation for a scalable, repeatable franchise model grounded in local relevance.
Structure That Builds Referrals
'BforB' meetings follow a sharp, timed agenda that balances social interaction with clear commercial intent. High-value introductions, focused conversations, and direct business requests are central to each session. Meetings are deliberately short, productive, and designed to help members build confidence in asking for referrals.
There is no single formula for referral success. Established businesses often benefit from applying existing marketing strategies within the network, while startups require greater clarity around targets and positioning. Across all stages, trust remains the key currency, built through consistent interaction rather than cold selling.
Members frequently describe a moment when they finally “crack the nut” of networking when effort turns into a predictable opportunity through habit and confidence.
Expansion beyond Manchester was guided not by assumption, but by member feedback. As members travelled long distances to attend meetings, Mel identified demand for more local access. Surveys helped determine acceptable travel distances and assess community potential, ensuring new locations met real needs.
This customer-led approach revealed a powerful insight: every community holds an untapped business opportunity when supported by the right framework. It also laid the foundation for a scalable, repeatable franchise model grounded in local relevance.
Structure That Builds Referrals
'BforB' meetings follow a sharp, timed agenda that balances social interaction with clear commercial intent. High-value introductions, focused conversations, and direct business requests are central to each session. Meetings are deliberately short, productive, and designed to help members build confidence in asking for referrals.
There is no single formula for referral success. Established businesses often benefit from applying existing marketing strategies within the network, while startups require greater clarity around targets and positioning. Across all stages, trust remains the key currency, built through consistent interaction rather than cold selling.
Members frequently describe a moment when they finally “crack the nut” of networking when effort turns into a predictable opportunity through habit and confidence.
Global Growth and Cultural Learning
As 'BforB' expanded internationally, cultural differences provided valuable insight. In the Czech Republic, meetings attract a diverse mix of students, startups, and experienced entrepreneurs, creating more inclusive and dynamic environments than those traditionally seen in the UK.
These contrasts highlight opportunities to rethink networking culture and adapt approaches while preserving 'BforB's structured core. Global consistency, Mel notes, works best when paired with local understanding.
Why Franchising Enabled Sustainable Scale
Early attempts to expand using employed staff proved unsustainable due to retention challenges and cultural misalignment. The shift to franchising marked a turning point. Pilot locations in the Northwest UK demonstrated that franchisees, who invested in their local communities, were better equipped to protect the 'BforB' culture while driving growth.
With 12 locations already operating worldwide, franchising has enabled 'BforB' to multiply its proven process while maintaining quality and operational stability during rapid expansion
As 'BforB' expanded internationally, cultural differences provided valuable insight. In the Czech Republic, meetings attract a diverse mix of students, startups, and experienced entrepreneurs, creating more inclusive and dynamic environments than those traditionally seen in the UK.
These contrasts highlight opportunities to rethink networking culture and adapt approaches while preserving 'BforB's structured core. Global consistency, Mel notes, works best when paired with local understanding.
Why Franchising Enabled Sustainable Scale
Early attempts to expand using employed staff proved unsustainable due to retention challenges and cultural misalignment. The shift to franchising marked a turning point. Pilot locations in the Northwest UK demonstrated that franchisees, who invested in their local communities, were better equipped to protect the 'BforB' culture while driving growth.
With 12 locations already operating worldwide, franchising has enabled 'BforB' to multiply its proven process while maintaining quality and operational stability during rapid expansion
Leadership, Legacy, and the Long View
Mel also highlights the strengths often demonstrated by female entrepreneurs, including empathy, frugality, and fact-based decision-making. These traits, she believes, contribute to sustainable leadership and stronger trust, values closely aligned with 'BforB’s ethos.
Successful franchisees share a similar mindset. They prioritise long-term impact over quick returns, focusing on skill development, community contribution, and legacy. “Get rich quick” thinking, Mel argues, undermines both individual success and the health of business communities.
Choosing In-Person Connection
Despite the rise of virtual networking, 'BforB' has remained committed to in-person meetings. While digital tools support communication and promotion, Mel believes trust is built faster through face-to-face interaction, where body language and presence deepen understanding.
Redefining Business Networking
'BforB’s journey demonstrates that networking, when treated as a structured discipline rather than a social exercise, can become a powerful driver of sustainable growth. By combining clarity with empathy, structure with trust, and global ambition with local relevance, 'BforB' continues to turn meaningful conversations into measurable business results. Do reach out to Mel and the Team via their website or on socials
Mel also highlights the strengths often demonstrated by female entrepreneurs, including empathy, frugality, and fact-based decision-making. These traits, she believes, contribute to sustainable leadership and stronger trust, values closely aligned with 'BforB’s ethos.
Successful franchisees share a similar mindset. They prioritise long-term impact over quick returns, focusing on skill development, community contribution, and legacy. “Get rich quick” thinking, Mel argues, undermines both individual success and the health of business communities.
Choosing In-Person Connection
Despite the rise of virtual networking, 'BforB' has remained committed to in-person meetings. While digital tools support communication and promotion, Mel believes trust is built faster through face-to-face interaction, where body language and presence deepen understanding.
Redefining Business Networking
'BforB’s journey demonstrates that networking, when treated as a structured discipline rather than a social exercise, can become a powerful driver of sustainable growth. By combining clarity with empathy, structure with trust, and global ambition with local relevance, 'BforB' continues to turn meaningful conversations into measurable business results. Do reach out to Mel and the Team via their website or on socials
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