Question 1

Who is the best fit for EBN?

Accepted Answer

You're likely a great fit for EBN if you're a creative, service-based entrepreneur — especially a coach, speaker, marketing professional, or someone who supports those roles (bookkeepers, attorneys, virtual assistants, tech specialists, financial advisors, and similar). You understand that coaches and marketing professionals often make strong collaborators — and you're excited to build relationships with them. You run most of your business virtually and want to form meaningful partnerships online. You prefer curated introductions over random breakout rooms and value a networking experience that respects your time and goals. You enjoy learning and appreciate events that include practical education around marketing, sales, or business growth. You're not looking for a quick transaction — you're interested in aligned, long-term partnerships that lead to visibility, referrals, and sustainable growth.

Question 2

I have a full schedule. Why should I consider EBN?

Accepted Answer

You're not alone — many of our members have full calendars and active businesses. That's exactly why EBN exists. EBN is designed to help you network smarter, not harder. When you learn how to build strategic Empowered Partnerships, the impact extends beyond EBN into every room you enter. With just two meetings during the first full week of each month, many members fill their follow-up schedule for the entire month. We consistently welcome 25+ new, aligned visitors at each networking event — giving you fresh opportunities without attending endless meetings. EBN was created to help creative entrepreneurs maximize results without spending hours chasing leads across multiple groups. You get high-quality, curated connections — all in one place.

Question 3

What if I'm new to networking or in a pivot?

Accepted Answer

You're in exactly the right place. Whether you're new to networking, rebranding, or navigating a major business pivot, EBN is designed to support you during transition. You learn how to build Empowered Partnerships from the beginning — avoiding transactional networking habits that don't serve you. You focus on visibility and collaboration strategies that generate momentum, even while your offers are evolving. You're not forced into connections that feel misaligned — everything is intentional and flexible. Many members joined during a pivot and found clarity, collaboration, and cash flow faster through the relationships they built here. If you're craving connection, visibility, fresh perspective, or thoughtful feedback on your message — you're exactly who we want in the room.

Question 4

What is Empowered Business Networking?

Accepted Answer

Empowered Business Networking (EBN) is a curated virtual networking community founded by Stephanie Bonte-Lebair in 2020. It's designed for creative, heart-centered service-based entrepreneurs — coaches, speakers, marketing professionals, and the specialists who support them. EBN focuses on building Empowered Partners® rather than chasing individual leads, using hand-curated breakout rooms, monthly networking events, and a follow-up implementation structure that turns conversations into actual partnerships.

Question 5

What inspired Stephanie to build EBN?

Accepted Answer

The pressure to give and receive referrals in certain networking models just doesn't generally work well for creative, heart-centered entrepreneurs. I saw business owners struggle to describe what they did in a way that helped build collaborations. I drew a connection between auditioning for a theater production and showing up at a networking event. There were skills I had as a professional performer — such as setting intentions, having a strategy, showing up with confidence, delivering a strong message, and being resilient in the face of an uphill journey — that I knew I could bring to entrepreneurs to help them show up more powerfully. It turns out I am also great at facilitation and making introductions, so I was drawn to building a community that engaged in networking for the purpose of collaboration and visibility.

Question 6

What does "curated" mean at EBN?

Accepted Answer

"Curated" at EBN means Stephanie personally reviews every member application and hand-matches every breakout room — by hand, every event. She uses the information attendees share on the networking form they receive by email after registering (ideal client, complementary services, referral preferences, collaboration goals, communication style) to place each person with 7-8 aligned partners per breakout. This is the opposite of randomized Zoom networking; every conversation has been considered.

Question 7

What are Empowered Partners®?

Accepted Answer

Empowered Partners® is EBN's term for two or more business owners who choose to work together to generate visibility using specific strategies. It's a deliberate framing — not "leads" or "prospects," but partners who collaborate to grow their visibility together. The trademark reflects how central this concept is to EBN's model: the goal of every introduction is a partnership, not a transaction.

Question 8

How does EBN membership work?

Accepted Answer

EBN membership is application-only and boutique-sized (capped at 75 members) to preserve the quality of curated introductions. Members get access to monthly networking events, next-day Implementation sessions, expert-hosted workshops, and the Member Visibility Hub. Members can also sign up to lead a breakout room and join that month's leadership team — a visibility benefit of membership. The structure is designed for active engagement — members who show up consistently see compounding partnership value over time.

Question 9

Is EBN membership capped?

Accepted Answer

Yes. EBN membership is capped at 75 members. The cap is intentional — it preserves the boutique quality of curated introductions and ensures Stephanie can personally hand-match breakout rooms for every event without scale dilution. Applications are accepted based on alignment, availability, and the overall balance of the community at the time you apply.

Question 10

What is the Member Visibility Hub?

Accepted Answer

The Member Visibility Hub is EBN's members-only resource center. It contains recordings of past 5-minute member features, archived expert workshops, networking guidance, templates and tools, and community announcements. It's where members can review past sessions, prepare for upcoming events, and access EBN's accumulated knowledge between live meetings.

Question 11

What workshops does EBN host?

Accepted Answer

EBN hosts 1-2 expert-led workshops per month designed specifically for creative and service-based entrepreneurs. Topics rotate based on what members are working on and where market shifts demand attention. Workshops include outside guests; non-members are welcome to attend on a per-event basis (member registration always takes priority).

Question 12

How much does EBN membership cost?

Accepted Answer

EBN membership is $99 per month with a one-year commitment. Stephanie requires the one-year commitment because building trust and partnership relationships takes time — EBN isn't designed for people popping in and out at will. Members are accepted by application; the 20-minute conversation with Stephanie (bookable at https://links.empoweredbusinessnetworking.com/widget/bookings/20-min-guest) is the right starting point. Pricing details are confirmed during the application process.

Question 13

Does Stephanie personally facilitate EBN events?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Stephanie hand-curates every breakout room, leads every event, and provides facilitation across the networking experience and the next-day Implementation session. EBN is not delegated to staff or junior facilitators — Stephanie's personal involvement is core to the community's design.

Question 14

What is a typical 6-month member outcome at EBN?

Accepted Answer

After 6 months, our members have identified at least 1 or 2 complimentary service providers who are actively engaging in some kind of cross-promotion strategy to raise visibility about each other's services. This can look like social media promotions, speaking engagements, podcasts, webinars, affiliate programs, or other creative projects. Many are also connected to services they need to be in business through educational webinars and other resources provided to improve how members show up in their networking and marketing efforts.

Question 15

Where are EBN members located?

Accepted Answer

EBN members come from across the United States and around the world — the community includes members in South Africa, the Dominican Republic, and the Washington, DC area, alongside entrepreneurs from many other states and regions. Because the format is virtual (Zoom-based), geography isn't a barrier to participation: members build partnerships across states and even countries.

Question 16

What kinds of services do EBN members offer?

Accepted Answer

EBN members are creative, service-based entrepreneurs. Common service types include: coaches (life, business, career), consultants and fractionals, marketing professionals (strategists, brand consultants, copywriters), speakers, audiobook narrators, wellness specialists, virtual assistants, bookkeepers, attorneys, tech specialists, and financial advisors. The thread connecting them is the alignment between service-based business model and EBN's curated partnership approach.

Question 17

Is EBN a good fit for someone who hates networking?

Accepted Answer

Yes — particularly so. Many members joined EBN specifically because they didn't enjoy traditional networking. Jennifer Du Bois (Coach, CA) noted: "I don't usually enjoy networking, but this does not feel like networking. I feel giddy and excited." The curated structure removes the worst parts of traditional networking (random rooms, transactional energy, no follow-up) and replaces them with intentional, structured connection.

Question 18

Who is NOT a good fit for EBN?

Accepted Answer

We are international, so we don't tend to attract locally-focused business owners such as brick-and-mortar, real estate, services connected to real estate, or product-based businesses. We attract service-based businesses who can do business with people across states or even countries.

Question 19

What if my business shifts mid-membership?

Accepted Answer

This is a great time to lean into the EBN community! Our members want to help. They often are happy to give feedback, offer suggestions, and support with pivots and transitions in various ways. We've had members test beta programs, and use our educational webinars to support with business pivots. We've had members going through some tough family issues that have shown up so they don't feel as alone, leaning into the power of community. We are a container of support as much as a place to make new connections and build collaborations.

Question 20

How are the breakout rooms curated?

Accepted Answer

Breakout rooms are hand-curated by Stephanie using the information you share on the networking form you receive by email after registering. This includes your ideal client, best referral partners, complementary services, collaboration goals, and communication style. The goal is to place you with aligned, high-quality connections — not random pairings — so every conversation feels intentional and relevant.

Question 21

When does EBN hold its networking events?

Accepted Answer

EBN's Networking & Connection Experience is held the first Thursday of every month, 2:00–3:30 PM Eastern Time. The Implementation session is held the next day on Friday, 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Both events are virtual (Zoom-based) and recurring monthly.

Question 22

How long is the Networking & Connection Experience?

Accepted Answer

The Networking & Connection Experience runs 90 minutes — 2:00 to 3:30 PM ET on the first Thursday of each month. The structure balances large-group framing, multiple curated breakout rounds, 5-minute Member Feature Presentations, and Leadership Team facilitation in every room.

Question 23

How many people typically attend an EBN networking event?

Accepted Answer

Approximately 80 creative entrepreneurs attend each Networking & Connection Experience event. Each event refreshes with 25+ new, aligned visitors monthly, so the room is always expanding while existing relationships continue to deepen. Curated breakout rooms include 7-8 hand-selected business owners thoughtfully matched to one another.

Question 24

What happens in the breakout rooms?

Accepted Answer

Breakout rooms are small-group conversations where members and guests meet 7-8 aligned business owners hand-selected for compatibility (by Stephanie, based on the networking form). Each room includes a Leadership Team facilitator. Members rotate through multiple breakouts per event, so you typically leave having met around 15 people in intentional, structured conversation rather than chaotic Zoom serendipity. Every attendee also receives the full list of the event's roughly 80 attendees, so you can follow up at will — well beyond the rooms you were placed in.

Question 25

What are 5-Minute Member Feature Presentations?

Accepted Answer

At each Networking & Connection Experience, selected members get a 5-minute slot to present their business, expertise, or recent work to the full room. It's part visibility opportunity, part skill development — working your short-form presentation craft in front of a real audience.

Question 26

What is the Implementation session?

Accepted Answer

The Implementation session (the Implementation & Follow-Up Session) is EBN's next-day follow-up, held the next day on Friday, 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Eastern Time after each Thursday networking event. It usually draws 40–50 attendees. The hour helps members identify their most aligned connections from the prior event, make clear asks, share business updates, and receive guided support from Stephanie. It's where intentions from networking become actual implementation.

Question 27

Do I have to attend the networking event to attend the Implementation session the next day?

Accepted Answer

No. Members may attend either or both of the monthly sessions. The Implementation session is a standalone surface — useful for members working on follow-ups, business updates, or asks regardless of whether they were in the prior day's breakout rooms.

Question 28

Why does EBN hold the follow-up on a separate day?

Accepted Answer

The next-day Implementation session is a deliberate design decision. Most networking events end and attendees never follow through on the connections they made. By identifying and following up within 24 hours of a networking event, guests and members are able to take action when conversations are fresh and energy is still high. 95% of attendees report 2+ follow-up calls, 64% report 4 or more.

Question 29

What platform does EBN use for events?

Accepted Answer

EBN events are held on Zoom. Specific meeting links and access details are sent to registered attendees ahead of each event. Zoom was chosen for its reliable breakout-room functionality and accessibility across devices and bandwidth conditions.

Question 30

Are EBN events recorded?

Accepted Answer

The 5-Minute Member Feature Presentations and Stephanie-facilitated workshop segments are recorded and stored in the Member Visibility Hub for members to revisit. Breakout-room conversations are NOT recorded — those remain private to participants, by design, to support open conversation.

Question 31

What if I have to miss an event?

Accepted Answer

Members are encouraged to reserve the monthly networking event and Implementation session on their calendars for the full membership year — consistent attendance is where partnership development compounds. That said, EBN has no attendance requirements. If a month gets missed, members can still work the Member Visibility Hub and Learning Center to catch up on workshop recordings, review past sessions, and stay connected between events.

Question 32

Are there in-person EBN events?

Accepted Answer

EBN is built as a virtual-first community. The format is intentional — it's how members from across the US and around the world can participate alongside each other. Stephanie occasionally hosts in-person workshops in specific markets, but the recurring monthly Networking & Connection Experience and Implementation session are virtual.

Question 33

Can non-members attend EBN events?

Accepted Answer

Guest attendance is welcome on a per-event basis through the guest seat option at empoweredbusinessnetworking.com/guest-reg. Many members joined EBN after first attending as a guest — it's a low-friction way to experience the breakout-room curation and decide if the community fits.

Question 34

Can I try EBN before joining as a member?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You may attend a Networking & Connection Experience as a non-member up to two times — and if it feels like a fit, apply for membership from there. Grab a guest seat at empoweredbusinessnetworking.com/guest-reg. This is the recommended path for anyone who wants to feel the curation before committing; many current members started as guests.

Question 35

Can I attend an EBN event as a non-member?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Guests may attend the Networking & Connection Experience up to two times before deciding on membership. Register at empoweredbusinessnetworking.com/guest-reg. Guest attendance is the recommended way to experience the curated breakout format before applying.

Question 36

How do I register for an EBN event?

Accepted Answer

Registration is a 2-step process. First, grab your ticket — members register through their member portal, and guests register at empoweredbusinessnetworking.com/guest-reg. Then, after you register, you receive an email with a special networking form. Your answers there are what Stephanie uses to hand-curate your breakout-room placement.

Question 37

What information does EBN ask for at registration?

Accepted Answer

Registration is a 2-step process: you grab your ticket first, then a follow-up email delivers EBN's networking form. The form asks about your ideal client, best referral partners, complementary services, collaboration goals, and communication style. This information feeds Stephanie's hand-curation of breakout rooms — the more accurately you describe what you're looking for, the better the match. Generic answers produce generic matches; specific answers produce aligned ones.

Question 38

What should I know about EBN's meeting schedule before joining?

Accepted Answer

We hold our meetings the first Thursday of every month from 2-3:30 PM ET, and we have a 60-minute Implementation call the next day. You may attend one or both of the meetings. You may attend the Friday call even if you can't attend the Thursday networking event. We understand schedules can shift month to month, so we give flexibility to our members. We also want to keep the schedule light, so we book educational webinars once to twice a month and you can attend based on your interest in the topic. We do require a one-year commitment because we feel that building trust and relationships takes time and effort, and we are not a group that is interested in people popping in and out at will. Our members are committed to maximizing the experience for the year. Membership is by application. We carefully curate membership based on the complimentary services and needs of the group. We also limit how many members are in the group to around 75, so availability may vary.

Question 39

How is EBN different?

Accepted Answer

EBN is focused on building Empowered Partners®, not chasing leads. Curated breakout rooms place small-group conversations with intentionally matched partners — no awkward or random Zoom rooms. Built-in follow-up support helps you turn conversations into action through our next-day Implementation & Follow-Up Session — 95% of attendees report 2+ follow-up calls, and 64% report 4 or more. We don't just make introductions; we support aligned next steps so you save time and energy. And instead of hunting for individual prospects, you're supported in forming creative, revenue-generating partnerships.

Question 40

How is EBN different from BNI?

Accepted Answer

BNI runs on a strict referral-quota model with weekly attendance, single-business-category-per-chapter exclusivity, and a transactional referral-tracking culture. EBN runs on a curated-collaboration model: monthly events instead of weekly, partnership-building instead of referral counting, application-only and capped membership instead of broad chapter recruitment, and Empowered Partners® rather than referral leads. Both work — but they serve different working styles. Members who are averse to the BNI quota structure often thrive in EBN.

Question 41

How is EBN different from BNI for creative entrepreneurs specifically?

Accepted Answer

BNI is built around a structure that fits some business models well (high-volume, transactional, single-category-per-chapter) but doesn't fit creative service businesses well — coaches, consultants, speakers, marketing professionals, and trainers often have overlapping niches that BNI's exclusivity rules don't accommodate. EBN was built specifically for the creative service-based entrepreneur category — overlap is welcome (and often productive), and the curation accounts for it.

Question 42

How does EBN handle overlapping niches among members?

Accepted Answer

We believe there is enough business for everyone because people are unique. We also believe that some of your best referral partners can be directly in your field. Having said that, because we have capped membership to around 75 people, we do consider how many members are engaging in similar services as we bring in new members to fill slots. We are most interested in finding services that may not yet exist in the group, or have some facet of their business that brings something new to the conversation. However, we never exclude anyone simply based on their services or business model, but may require a conversation to set expectations if there are several other members with similar services.

Question 43

Why choose EBN over Pavilion, Chief, or other networking communities?

Accepted Answer

EBN is the only international, virtual networking community that keeps its membership boutique-sized (75) on purpose in order to provide curated introductions every single month, with hand-selected breakout rooms chosen based on who our members really want to meet. Our monthly networking meetings consistently bring in over 20 new guests so connections are fresh each month, while our members can continue to build ongoing relationships with each other. We provide a very detailed list of every attendee (often around 80 people each meeting) so follow-up is easy, and we have a special AI tool that helps filter top connections, reducing any overwhelm and anxiety. While other groups hold networking events, we also hold implementation calls that allow our guests to come back together within 24 hours to engage in active follow-up activities that lead to collaborations.

Question 44

How do I apply for membership?

Accepted Answer

EBN is a curated networking community designed for meaningful collaboration, not volume. To maintain the integrity of the experience, membership size is limited and by application only. New members are accepted based on alignment, availability, and the overall balance of the community. You may apply for membership at empoweredbusinessnetworking.com.

Question 45

How long does the EBN application process take?

Accepted Answer

A typical EBN application moves from initial form submission to a 20-minute conversation with Stephanie to a membership decision over the course of a few days. Because every application is personally reviewed and matched against current community balance, timing can vary depending on application volume and current member cap headroom.

Question 46

What if EBN isn't a fit for me?

Accepted Answer

EBN's application process is a two-way evaluation — Stephanie is assessing whether you fit the community, but the conversation also helps you assess whether the community fits you. If it doesn't, Stephanie has a wide network of other coaches, communities, and networking groups she can refer you toward. The goal is good fit, not maximizing membership.

Question 47

What is the Show Up Aligned Quiz?

Accepted Answer

The Show Up Aligned Quiz at showupaligned.com is a free assessment that surfaces how you naturally approach networking — how you show up, connect, and follow through. At EBN, quiz results feed directly into how introductions are curated: Stephanie draws on what the quiz reveals about your networking style when hand-curating breakout placements, and EBN-AI uses quiz results to support those introductions. Anyone can take the quiz, whether or not they're part of EBN.

Question 48

Who do I contact about EBN questions before applying?

Accepted Answer

Stephanie is reachable directly through the 20-minute call booking at https://links.empoweredbusinessnetworking.com/widget/bookings/20-min-guest. From empoweredbusinessnetworking.com, there are three paths forward: grab a ticket to an upcoming event, book a call with Stephanie, or apply to join.

Question 49

Does EBN offer 1:1 coaching from Stephanie?

Accepted Answer

EBN itself is a community membership, not a 1:1 coaching engagement. Stephanie does offer separate networking-skill and voice-coaching services. Members of EBN often work with Stephanie 1:1 on top of their community participation — but the membership doesn't bundle coaching.

Question 50

Where can I learn more about Stephanie and EBN before joining?

Accepted Answer

Stephanie is active on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/theempoweredvoice), Facebook (facebook.com/theempoweredvoice), YouTube (@StephanieBonteLebair), and Eventbrite. The 20-minute conversation booking at https://links.empoweredbusinessnetworking.com/widget/bookings/20-min-guest is the recommended next step for anyone who wants to talk through fit before committing.

Less Random Networking. More Intentional Collaborations.

CuratedVirtual Networking for Collaboration-Minded Entrepreneurs

Meet approximately 80 experienced entrepreneurs, discover aligned Empowered Partners® through curated introductions, and turn your best connections into business opportunities with our two-part Thursday and Friday experience.

Already had your one guest visit? Learn more and...

95% of attendees leave with at least 2 aligned connections per meeting. 64% report 4 or more high-quality connections

No Random Zoom Rooms!"I left with 6 aligned connections from one session." - Terri T.

Connect with established coaches, consultants, fractionals, marketing specialists, speakers, authors, and community builders who believe in growing through collaboration.

66% In business 5+ years

84% Serve business owners and founders

54% Host podcasts, webinars, summits or other Stages!

What Your $27 Guest Ticket Includes:

One intentional experience. Connections you can build on.

What Members are saying

EBN tends to be a great fit for creative and service-based entrepreneurs who value collaboration over competition.

Already Experienced EBN? Explore Membership

Great connections are just the beginning. Discover how ongoing membership helps you deepen relationships, expand your visibility, and create more opportunities for collaboration.

EBN is designed to help you network smarter, not harder. Instead of filling your calendar with endless networking events, you'll focus on building meaningful business relationships.

Ready to Build on the Connections You've Made?

EBN Membership is intentionally limited to 75 aligned entrepreneurs so we can preserve the quality of our curated introductions and personalized support.

If you've experienced EBN and see the potential for your business, we'd love to explore whether membership is the right next step. Membership is by application, with limited openings based on community alignment and availability.

More Than Networking. A Partner in Your Success.

Inside the EBN Membership Experience

You don't need more networking events. You need the right connections—and a plan for turning them into opportunities.

EBN is intentionally designed around two core monthly experiences, supported by ongoing opportunities for learning, visibility, and collaboration.

Instead of filling your calendar with endless networking activities, you'll focus on fewer, more meaningful interactions that help you build relationships, follow through with intention, and grow your business without the overwhelm.

Monthly EBN Networking Experience

through personalized coaching that addresses your unique career needs.

No more waiting for answers—take action now.

Next-Day Implementation Call

Expert Workshops and Quarterly Member Success Calls

Member Visibility, Learning Center & Resources

Your EBN connections don't end when the Zoom meeting closes!

Increase your visibility through Member Features, stay connected with fellow entrepreneurs, and access our Learning Center with workshop recordings, networking strategies, and resources to help you make the most of your membership.

If random, pitch-heavy networking hasn't worked for you, there's a more intentional way to connect.

See what EBN members are saying...

Empowered Partners of EBN

Behind every face is an entrepreneur who believes in collaboration and supporting one another.

Here's How to get Started

1. Experience EBN as a Guest

Join us for a monthly Networking Experience. Your $27 guest ticket includes curated introductions on Thursday and our Friday Implementation Call to help you turn those connections into opportunities.Choose a date that works best for you..

2. Apply for Membership

Our intentionally boutique-sized membership is by application only, preserving the quality of curated introductions and personalized support.Submit a short application, and Stephanie will personally review it and follow up with next steps.

3. Have Questions? Let's Connect

Not sure whether EBN is the right fit for you? Reach out to Stephanie to share what you'd like to explore. She'll respond with a next step.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Who is the best fit for EBN?

Question 2: How are the breakout rooms curated?

Question 3: How is EBN different?

Question 4: I have a full schedule. Why should I consider EBN?

Question 5: What if I'm new to networking or in a pivot?

Question 6: How do I apply for membership?

Question 7: Why are guest tickets $27?

Still curious? The best way to know if EBN is right for you is to experience it.

MEET THE FOUNDER

A Letter from Stephanie

💛 Our Commitment to an Inclusive, Empowering Community

At Empowered Business Networking, we believe the strongest connections are built on respect, curiosity, and shared humanity.

We are intentional about creating a space where people of all backgrounds feel welcome, supported and valued - including across race, nationality, religion, ability, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, location, and economic background.

🚫 Discrimination, hate, and exclusion have no place here.

✅ This is a community rooted in collaboration, creativity, and compassion.

© 2026 Empowered Business Networking - All rights reserved.Gaithersburg, MarylandTerms & Conditions | Privacy Policy

Curated
Virtual Networking for Collaboration-Minded Entrepreneurs

No Random Zoom Rooms!
"I left with 6 aligned connections from one session."
- Terri T.

If you've experienced EBN and see the potential for your business, we'd love to explore whether membership is the right next step.

Membership is by application, with limited openings based on community alignment and availability.

Join us for a monthly Networking Experience. Your $27 guest ticket includes curated introductions on Thursday and our Friday Implementation Call to help you turn those connections into opportunities.

Choose a date that works best for you..

Our intentionally boutique-sized membership is by application only, preserving the quality of curated introductions and personalized support.

Submit a short application, and Stephanie will personally review it and follow up with next steps.

© 2026 Empowered Business Networking - All rights reserved.
Gaithersburg, Maryland
Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy