Networking events were always the same—stand in a room, listen to people brag about their businesses, exchange a few business cards, and try to survive the awkwardness of forced small talk. I was tired of hearing the same "I can help you do this" or "Let me tell you how great my business is" speeches over dinner at some restaurant. The typical 30-second elevator pitch never meant much to me because, let’s be real, I’m not a Shark Tank investor looking for my next deal.

My wife, Jordan, hates going to those events even more than I do. To her, it feels like walking onto a used car lot—everyone is trying to sell you something before they even know who you are. And honestly, she’s right. I’ve watched her in those settings, feeling like she has to force a conversation, but then I’ve also seen her thrive in more natural environments—like playing pickleball or any other sport. She interacts with people effortlessly, forming connections without any pressure or awkwardness.

I first realized there had to be a better way when I hosted a few cruises with people I knew professionally. While on the cruise, we actually got to know each other as people, not just business contacts—and that stuck with me. But the idea hadn’t fully come alive yet.

Then one day, I was invited to play pickleball. I got my ass handed to me. But my competitive side kicked in, and I wanted to come back and beat every single person who beat me. So, I took lessons, learned the game, and became a full-blown pickleball addict.

As I played more, I started meeting new people, making friends, and forming a group chat to coordinate games. It reminded me of the camaraderie I had in the military—friends with common interests who naturally built relationships. And then something interesting happened: people started booking travel with me. They were asking, “Hey, what do you do for a living?” after months of playing together.

I’d simply say, "I’m here to beat your ass at pickleball, not sell you a vacation."

And that’s when it hit me. I had always built relationships through sports, games, and activities—not awkward small talk. That’s when Notworking Events was born.

A simple concept emerged, built on three pillars:

1. Connect – Build relationships naturally by meeting people who share your interests.

2. Compete – Competition creates memories; you always remember who you played with and the outcome.

3. Grow – Whether it’s improving your game, learning new strategies, or discovering something about yourself, growth happens when you’re engaged in something you enjoy.

Ultimately, Notworking Events is about making networking fun, meaningful, and impactful—not just for business, but for the community as a whole. It’s networking that doesn’t feel like networking—because when you’re having fun, competing, and building real relationships, business happens naturally.