Post by LRSolutions, LLC

Family, Community, and Connection: Reflections on the Cleveland Business Hop There is something special about the energy in Cleveland right now. Last night, that energy was on full display at the Cleveland Business Hop, held at the impressive Midtown Collaboration Center. Between the modern backdrop of the venue and the high-caliber professionals in the room, it was a night that perfectly captured the spirit of our city’s growing business landscape. While I’ve attended many networking events over the years, this one was a personal milestone. For the first time, I was able to experience the evening with three generations of my family: myself, my daughter Nicole, and my granddaughter Maddie. Adding to the sentiment of the night, I also attended with a former co-worker whom I’ve known and worked with for over twenty years. Seeing a familiar face from two decades ago alongside the newest generation of my family really put the evening into perspective. It was a powerful reminder that "networking" isn't just about exchanging business cards—it’s about honoring long-standing loyalty while fostering the next generation of leaders. A Fresh Take on Networking The event format was fantastic, moving away from the stiff atmosphere of traditional mixers and toward something much more organic. Here are a few highlights from the evening: The Venue: The Midtown Collaboration Center is a gem. It provided the perfect open, collaborative environment that encouraged people to actually move around and engage. The People: Cleveland truly has a lot of amazing, driven individuals. From tech innovators to community organizers, the diversity of talent in the room was inspiring. The Format: The "Hop" style kept the momentum going. It felt less like a chore and more like a celebration of what local businesses are achieving together. Looking Ahead Watching Nicole and Maddie navigate the room and connect with other professionals—while catching up with a colleague who has been part of my professional journey for twenty years—was easily the highlight of my night. It reinforced the idea that our professional networks and our personal lives aren't as separate as we often think. We are all part of the same Cleveland ecosystem, working to make this city a better place to live and work. If you haven’t made it out to a Business Hop yet, I highly recommend it. It’s a testament to the fact that when you put passionate people in a great location, amazing things happen. Cleveland is full of incredible people—and last night, I was lucky enough to be surrounded by both the history of my career and the future of my family.