At Setup, networking runs through the veins of the organization. Each staff member is enthusiastic about forming and maintaining relationships. This is largely due to the fact that we are founded by a business matchmaker who values connection above all else. 

At the end of the day, people need connection, and relationships lead to growth and opportunity externally and internally.

Read Related - Form Your Tribe of Supporters

For the past year, Setup CEO and Founder, Joe Koufman, has highlighted some of the lessons he has learned from people in his network. 

What started out as a fun exercise turned into an effort to:

• Appreciate those who have helped or inspired him to achieve throughout his marketing career, and 

• Share the career path knowledge with others.

5 Inspiring Lessons for your Career

Polish with personality | Mary Renner Beech

Mary and I met in college, and though our interactions have been limited over the years, I have always admired and respected her. Mary was a Theater major in college which has served her well throughout her marketing career - she is graceful under pressure, elevates her team, and puts in the work (rehearsal) to ensure that she delivers a stellar performance.

While her last position as EVP and CMO of Kate Spade New York was highly demanding, I feel that Mary brought herself to the role and elevated those around her.

I appreciate Mary's grace under pressure and will continue to try to emulate that.

Here is her #ThankfulThursday post.

Show enthusiasm for people's ideas | Jennifer Dorian

One of the things I love most about Jennifer is the enthusiasm she shows for others' ideas. While she shares her (often strong) opinions, she does so in a way that lifts up the person with boundless positivity.

Jennifer is a shining light in the community - once serving as General Manager for Turner Classic Movies (part of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. now WarnerMedia), supporting countless entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and politicians, but also a deeply-loving wife and mother to two daughters. To add a cherry on top, she won the AMA Atlanta (American Marketing Association, Atlanta Chapter) Lifetime Achievement Award as well!

Here is her #ThankfulThursday post.

Your past does not define your future | Jason Dominy

Jason has overcome tremendous odds (difficult childhood/early adulthood) to become a shining star in his community and this world. Those who know him know there is not a more genuine and caring friend who truly believes in the power of community and fosters it whenever possible. Not only has Jason acted as an expert in his craft of social media marketing for large companies like The Krystal Company and several notable marketing agencies, but he is also a Renaissance man as an expert at coffee purveying, craft beer, smoked meats, disc golf, and many other areas of interest. An additional attribute I admire about him is that he freely shares his knowledge and passion with others.

The lesson that we can all take away from Jason's experience is that we can overcome any obstacles to not let our past define our future. I am so thankful for my relationship with Jason Dominy.

Here is her #ThankfulThursday post.

Be smart without being condescending | Raj Gajwani

Raj and I worked together at a dotcom called KnowledgeStorm from 2003-2005 and I was immediately impressed by Raj's keen intellect - he is a Harvard graduate, after all. It was clear to me that Raj was usually the smartest person in any room, but he never came across as condescending. He knew how to make his point and get buy-in for his ideas by serving them up in a palatable way that made them easy to incorporate.

The key lesson I take from my relationship with Raj is to be smart but not condescending and add value through insights.

Here is his #ThankfulThursday post.

Don't criticize, DO IT! | Dana Barrett

Dana is a truly inspiring human being with quite a background - she has been a serial entrepreneur, a TV host, a radio talk show host - not to mention a single mother and breast cancer survivor. She also ran for the U.S. Congress representing Georgia's 11th Congressional District!

I am reminded of one of my favorite quotes from Teddy Roosevelt that applies to Dana:

“Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those timid spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.”

Dana was not happy with her representation and instead of complaining, she decided to jump into the arena! Dare mighty things, Dana!

Here is her #ThankfulThursday post.

A major lesson from this exercise is to pay tribute to the people who got you to where you are today. Your path in life is sculpted by those who have influenced you. 

From our founding, we’ve made a number of connections finding agencies opportunities, finding brands new agencies, or finding job seekers jobs. Some patterns we noticed are:

• If you build a solid reputation and relationship with someone, they will trust you and return for more business/consultation services

• Clients will continue to work with agencies that they form chemistry and a solid relationship with (and vice versa)

• Companies are only as strong as their teams - if you have strong relationships across your team and departments, the output, culture, and management is better

 Always remember to say thanks to those you have met and learned from along the way, and keep those bonds tight - you never know where that relationship can take you.