Impact Circle Connects Small Businesses in Innovative Networking Event

Tackling small business challenges while fostering collaboration and community building

By André Averion, Communications Chair

Published December 6, 2024.

Nearly 50 entrepreneurs and small business owners gathered for the inaugural Impact Circle, a networking event designed to provide practical business solutions and create meaningful connections, held recently at a local venue.

Taking place at 12 Cowboys Way, the networking event aimed at supporting entrepreneurs and small business owners, opened its doors for the first time bringing together nearly 50 participants eager to learn, share insights, and form valuable connections. Held at a local venue, the event featured discussions on optimizing business practices and strategies for scaling operations sustainably hosted by FINRA arbitrator Frank Mesina, GFCC Frisco President Conrado Casallo, and CBMC Area Leader Noel Sinaga.

The evening was designed to foster collaboration, with organizers encouraging attendees to exchange contact information and maintain connections beyond the event. 

“We’re sharing the guest list with everyone so they can connect and collaborate on future projects,” Casallo said.

Highlights of the program included presentations by enterprise leader Gabe Balang and LAM Technology’s Pablo Romera, both of whom addressed common challenges faced by small businesses, particularly in managing human resources and payroll systems. The speakers offered practical solutions for automating these processes, emphasizing the use of affordable software tools to streamline hiring, employee orientation, disciplinary procedures, and exit protocols.

“For small businesses, it’s not just about hiring. It’s also about managing the whole employee lifecycle—from benefits to tracking expenses—without breaking the bank,” Casallo said.

The event’s organizers expressed excitement over the positive reception, noting the short promotion timeline.

 “This was our first event, and we only had a few weeks to promote it. The response was incredible, with people already asking when the next one will be and saying they want to bring their friends,” Casallo said.

Participants included a diverse range of business owners, with many representing Filipino-owned ventures. This diversity, coupled with the supportive environment, underscored the event’s mission to empower underrepresented communities in the business world.

Attendees praised the event’s relaxed yet impactful atmosphere. The organizers acknowledged some logistical hiccups, such as manual registration processes, and pledged to incorporate QR code scanning for future events to enhance efficiency.

Looking ahead, plans are already underway for a larger follow-up event in three months, where the event will continue to appear regularly each quarter.

 “Next time, we aim to double the attendance to 100 people. If each attendee brings one person, we’ll easily hit that goal,” Casallo said. 

Impact Circle represents a fresh approach to networking, blending practical business advice with community building. By focusing on shared experiences and actionable insights, it seeks to provide lasting value for participants and their businesses. These events are crucial for fostering connections, sharing knowledge, and empowering small business owners. They provide a platform for networking, collaboration, and learning from experts who address common challenges like scaling operations, automating administrative tasks, and managing human resources. By creating inclusive spaces for underrepresented communities, such as Filipino entrepreneurs, these events promote diversity and offer tools and strategies that drive innovation and sustainable growth. They not only help participants build relationships and discover new opportunities but also strengthen the broader business ecosystem.