Don’t resist, join Breakfast Connect (5 Towns)

A dozen people involved in varying industries gathered at a few tables inside of the Bagel Boss in Hewlett on June 8. It was the first in-person meeting of an off-shoot of a larger business networking group that continues to meet on Thursdays through Zoom.

The smaller group led by Hewlett resident Andrew Liebowitz, of Lexrem Business Development LLC, is also spearheaded by Paul Plesser and his son, Jordan Plesser. No, sorry, not those Plessers. These Plessers are in the financial services field with Blue Ocean Wealth Solutions in East Hills.

“It’s so important to be live again,” said Liebowitz, a longtime member of business networking groups since 2004 as part of a Business Networking International chapter. BNI is a franchised networking organization that charges dues.

“This is a very casual group,” Liebowitz said, noting the difference between BNI and other groups he has been a member of, including South Shore Synergy dating to 2010 and morphed into Breakfast Connect two years later. The in-person group is called Breakfast Connect (5 Towns) with the Thursday group retaining the name Breakfast Connect.

“The objective is to help each other and build up our businesses,” Paul Plesser said.

Bringing the intimate meeting together, Liebowitz welcomed everyone and noted that is “great to see everyone” in person. Each member then introduces themselves and speaks for a few minutes on their business and how they have helped other businesses.

Exchanging the traditional business card, which according to many, remains a critical networking tool, and making connections are the primary aims of the group.

“I’m always looking to meet new people that’s what is great about networking,” said Marc Lawrence, the principal of Manhattan-based World Wide Land Transfer, which also has offices in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

One of the few rules the group does adhere to is having one representative per industry so there is no competition. There could be more than one lawyer but he or she is practicing different types of law. Meeting attendance is not required and there is no penalty for missing meetings as Liebowitz noted family and business obligations are considered more important.

The initial meeting also included Yakov Bodner, Leah Berger, Sasha Franchesca, Ariel Holzer, Seth Oberstein, David Shereck and Steven Unger.

Breakfast Connect (5 Towns) Facebook page is members only as of now, but heading to Bagel Boss to meet new business connections could be a continuing return on investment.

As Liebowitz said, “To resist is business missed.”