Business Networking & Referrals with Faithann Basore

Episode 54: Zoo Keeping for Leaders - How to Build Stronger Networking Teams with Kristen Partridge

In this episode, host Faithann Basore sits down with Kristen Partridge to unpack what it really means to lead well inside a networking group. Kristen introduces her unique, highly relatable U-Zoo Personality Framework — a tool she developed from years of leadership experience to help teams communicate more effectively and build stronger relationships.

Whether you’re starting a referral group, leading a chapter, or simply trying to connect better in a crowded room, this episode delivers practical wisdom you can use right away.

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What You’ll Learn

• The Four U-Zoo Animals and Their Core Questions:

  • 🦁 The Lion: “What?” — goal-driven and visionary

  • 🐬 The Porpoise: “Who?” — relational, inclusive, and community-focused

  • 🐨 The Koala: “How?” — steady, process-oriented, and detail-loving

  • 🦅 The Eagle: “Why?” — logical, organized, and values understanding before action

• How to read people quickly so you can build rapport faster in networking rooms.

• Why great teams are like zoos—they thrive when each “animal” has what they need to flourish.

• How to earn “drops of trust” in every conversation.

• Why alignment and communication—not just execution, are at the heart of every successful organization.

💬 Key Quotes

“Trust is earned in drops but lost in buckets.” – Kristen Partridge
“Leadership is really about zoo keeping—making sure every animal has what it needs to thrive.” – Kristen Partridge
“If you go network but you don’t know how to build rapport, you’ll think networking doesn’t work.” – Faithann Basore
“My younger self needed to hear: progress, not perfection. I wanted the microwave when I needed the crockpot.” – Kristen Partridge

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💡 Networking Takeaway

Before you start or grow your networking group, take time to understand the personalities around your leadership table. Lions lead with vision, eagles keep order, porpoises create connection, and koalas make sure everyone feels safe. When every type is represented and respected, your group can thrive long-term.

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🔗 Resources Mentioned

• The Triumph Team: www.triumphteam.com
  (Contact Kristen to experience the U-Zoo Personality Exercise for your team or networking group.)

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Free Resource for Listeners:
✨ Download Faithann’s 10 Questions to Ask in a One-to-One — a free guide to deepen your networking conversations and leave a lasting impression.
Grab your copy here ➡️ https://www.thenetworkerstourguide.net/resources

Connect with Faithann:
Instagram: @thenetworkerstourguide
Join the Private Community: The Networker’s Tour Guide on Facebook

🎧 Listen Now

This episode is perfect for anyone who:

• Leads or wants to launch a networking or referral group

• Manages teams and wants better communication

• Feels overwhelmed by networking and wants to connect with confidence

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Go network, my friend — and remember:
Every strong team starts with understanding the people (and animals) in your zoo. 🦁🐬🐨🦅

Episode 53: What Your Body Language Says Before You Speak with Leah Rose Tangren

Before you even say a word, your body is already networking for you. In this episode, Faithann sits down with communication and life coach Leah Rose Tangren to unpack the power of body language in building rapport, confidence, and connection — especially in networking environments. Leah shares practical strategies for showing up with calm, grounded confidence, whether you’re delivering your 60-second introduction or chatting one-on-one at a networking event.

Together, they explore how posture, facial expression, and even hand placement influence how others perceive you, and how to use mirroring, humor, and curiosity to strengthen your presence and authenticity in any room.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• How your posture and gestures can project confidence (or insecurity) before you speak.

• Why standing during your introduction instantly boosts credibility.

• Ways to “interrupt the program” and grab attention during your 60 seconds.

• The importance of reading the room and matching others’ energy without losing your own.

• What the Yes, And principle from improv can teach you about conversation and collaboration.

• How to recover gracefully when you don’t “get the joke.”

• Tips for listening with curiosity instead of judgment to build genuine rapport.

Memorable Quotes:

“Your arms are the gateway to you. If they’re crossed, you’re telling people, ‘I don’t really want to connect.’” – Leah Rose Tangren
“You can’t borrow the room’s energy — you have to bring it. Then the exchange happens.” – Faithann Basore
“Yes, And allows the other person to know that you heard them, that you believe them, and that you’re contributing to the connection.” – Leah Rose Tangren

Connect with Leah Rose Tangren:
Instagram: @leahrosetangren
Website: Leah Rose Tangren

Free Resource for Listeners:
✨ Download Faithann’s 10 Questions to Ask in a One-to-One — a free guide to deepen your networking conversations and leave a lasting impression.
Grab your copy here ➡️ https://www.thenetworkerstourguide.net/resources

Connect with Faithann:
Instagram: @thenetworkerstourguide
Join the Private Community: The Networker’s Tour Guide on Facebook

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Episode 52: Revenue - The Final Floor of Networking Success

Are you ready to reach the top floor of your networking success? In this final episode of the Floors of Networking Success series, your tour guide Faithann Basore takes you to the fifth and final floor — Revenue — where all your tact, rapport, trust, and referrals finally pay off.

Networking is more than just conversations and business cards; it’s about building relationships that lead to real results. In this episode, Faith Ann shares how to make sure the revenue you earn from referrals reflects integrity, gratitude, and strategy.

You’ll learn:
💡 Why truth and transparency in your estimates and proposals protect your reputation and your referrers
💡 How tracking your referral revenue helps you identify which connections bring the most value
💡 Practical ways to show appreciation to those who send you business — and how that deepens your relationships
💡 When and why offering a partial refund (or an extra service) can actually strengthen your reputation
💡 How each “floor” of your networking building supports the next — leading to long-term business growth

If you’ve followed along from Episode 48 through 52, this final “floor” ties it all together. You’ll walk away with actionable ways to turn your relationships and referrals into consistent, trustworthy revenue — while staying true to your values.

🎧 Listen now and take your networking to the top floor!

👉 Referenced episodes:

• Ep. 48 – The First Floor: Tact

• Ep. 50 – The Second & Third Floors: Rapport and Trust

• Ep. 51 – The Fourth Floor: Referrals

✨ Free Resource:
Want your next one-to-one meeting to go beyond swapping business cards?
Download Faith Ann’s 10 Questions to Ask in a One-to-One — a free guide to help you build genuine connections.
Click here to grab yours!

Episode 51: Referrals - The Fourth Floor of Networking Success

In this solo episode, Faithann continues her popular Networking Building series. After exploring tact (the first floor), rapport (the second), and trust & credibility (the third), today we move up to the fourth floor: referrals.

Referrals are the cornerstone of networking—and in this episode, you’ll discover how to handle them with the care they deserve. Faithann breaks down both sides of the referral process:

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Receiving Referrals: Why every referral is a treasure, how to follow up quickly, and how to keep your referral partners in the loop.

• Giving Referrals: The right way to identify referral opportunities, introduce the idea of someone before the introduction itself, and craft natural language that opens doors for others.

• Best Practices: From thanking your referral sources to smoothing over hiccups, Faithann shares practical steps to make sure your referrals build trust—not break it.

• The Power of Stories: How real-world referral examples can help others grasp the true value of networking.

Faithann also shares personal stories and proven strategies to help you strengthen your referral process so that your networking efforts translate into lasting business growth.

Resources & Links:

• 💡 Free Resource: 10 Questions to Ask in a One-to-One — a simple guide to deepen conversations and make your networking more meaningful.

• 🎧 Previous Episodes in the Networking Building Series:

  • Ep. 48: Tact – The First Floor of Networking Success

  • Ep. 50: Rapport & Trust – The Second and Third Floors

• 👉 Stay tuned for the next episode, where we’ll explore the fifth floor: revenue.

Referrals are powerful—sometimes even business-saving—and when handled with care, they strengthen every relationship in your network.

Go network, my friend, and congratulations if you’ve made it to the fourth floor!

Join Faithann's free Facebook Community here.

Do you network in OKC?  Join Faithann's Premium OKC Networking platform here.

Episode 50: Rapport and Trust - The 2nd and 3rd Floors of Networking Success

Want your next 1-2-1 to go beyond swapping business cards? Download my free resource, 10 Questions to Ask in a 1-2-1, and start building better conversations today. 

📥 Free Download: 10 Questions to Ask in a 1-2-1

 

Are you ready to climb higher in your networking success? In this solo episode, host Faithann Basore continues building on the “networking building” model introduced in Episode 48. After establishing tact as the ground floor, today we’re stepping onto the second and third floors—rapport and trust.

Faithann explains why rapport is the foundation for meaningful connections and how simple shifts in your conversations can make people feel valued, heard, and open to future opportunities. From asking better questions to showing genuine curiosity, you’ll discover how rapport sets the stage for the deeper work of building trust and credibility.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why interruptions and assumptions shut down opportunities.

• How to ask thoughtful questions that reveal expertise and spark stories.

• Practical ways to build rapport that shows you are friendly, open, and interested.

• Simple steps for strengthening trust and credibility in networking meetings.

• How consistency, testimonials, and one-to-ones all contribute to being remembered—and referred.

Faithann also shares personal stories (including a misstep with a business card!) that bring these lessons to life and help you avoid common pitfalls.

Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:

• 🎧 Listen to Episode 48: Tact – The First Floor of Networking Success 

• 🎧 Listen to Episode 15: Think of Everything 
• 📖 Read Tour 17: Bring a Bucket to the Well

• 💬 Join the conversation inside the Networker’s Tour Guide Facebook Group 

• Join Premium OKC Networking and be a part of Faithann's online networking hub for all the great places to network in OKC.

Episode 49: Building a Chiropractic Practice Through Networking with Dr. Jacob Rowe

👉Build real rapport fast: grab my free 10 Questions to Ask in a 1-2-1 resource.

 

In this episode of the Networker’s Tour Guide podcast, host Faithann Basore sits down with Dr. Jacob Rowe of J Rowe Chiropractic in Norman, Oklahoma. Jacob shares how he went from being a college music major to following in his family’s footsteps as a chiropractor—and how networking has played a vital role in building his practice.

You’ll hear:

• Jacob’s journey from doubting chiropractic to opening his own practice.

• Why patient trust and referrals are more powerful than any marketing tool.

• The surprising lessons Jacob has learned about confidence and presenting himself in a networking group.

• How BNI helped him plant roots in a new city and grow a referral-based business.

• Practical advice for new business owners considering a networking group (hint: it takes patience and consistency).

If you’ve ever wondered how networking can impact a local service-based business—or you’re just looking for inspiration to step more confidently into your own referral group—you’ll love Jacob’s story.

📌 Connect with Dr. Jacob Rowe:

• Website: www.jrochiro.com

• Instagram: jrowechiro

👉 Share this episode with a new business owner who’s considering joining a networking group.

 

Join Faithann's free Facebook group, The Networker's Tour Guide, here.  Faithann goes live weekly for networking tips and tricks in the facebook group.

Episode 48: Tact - The First Floor of Networking Success

❇️ Download Faithann's FREE Resource Below and Deliver Your Next Introduction Like a Pro

Powerful First Impression Download

In this solo episode of the Networker’s Tour Guide Podcast, host Faithann Basore unpacks one of the most overlooked but essential elements of networking: tact.

Faithann uses the analogy of a five-story building to show how networking success builds step by step:

1. Tact – the ground floor

2. Rapport – building genuine connection

3. Trust & Credibility – becoming reliable and respected

4. Referrals – receiving introductions and opportunities

5. Profit – the rewards that flow from it all

But here’s the truth: without tact, you’ll never get off the ground floor.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why tact is less about what you do and more about what you avoid doing

• How small assumptions can quietly close doors before rapport even starts

• The importance of language—why vulgarity or careless complaints can cost you opportunities

• What to do when someone in your industry visits your networking group (and how not to panic about “seat protection”)

• How to be aware of your words during quiet moments when everyone in the room can suddenly hear you

Faithann offers practical examples, from introducing new guests to handling awkward situations, all with the goal of helping you stay tactful, approachable, and open to new opportunities.

Takeaway:
Tact may seem small, but it’s the foundation for everything that follows in networking. Handle those first impressions well, and you’ll be on your way to rapport, trust, referrals, and ultimately profit.

Resources & Links:

• Join Premium OKC Networking and be a part of Faithann's online networking hub for all the great places to network in OKC.

• Read relevant networking articles at The Networker's Tour Guide blog.
• Join Faithann's private Facebook Group, The Networker's Tour Guide.

Episode 47: Creating Spaces That Last - Business, Retreats, and Community with Danielle Throckmorton

❇️ Download Faithann's FREE Resource Below and Deliver Your Next Introduction Like a Pro

Powerful First Impression Download

In this episode of the Networker’s Tour Guide podcast, Faithann sits down with multi-passionate entrepreneur Danielle Throckmorton—business revenue strategist, retreat host, and co-owner of T5 Plumbing. Danielle shares her insights on networking, entrepreneurship, and building sustainable businesses through community.

✨ Key Quotes from Danielle:

“I am what you would call a multi-passionate entrepreneur. I wear several different hats... a strategist, a retreat host, and a co-owner of T5 Plumbing.”

“For myself, I’m naturally an introvert. So I can extrovert really hard and almost overcompensate for the nervousness I feel inside, and then I feel like I need to recharge my batteries.”

“Sustainability comes from the community that’s around you—that’s sharing your name in a room you’re not in.”

“The environment and the culture you create can make or break an event.”

🎧 Listen in as Danielle shares how she navigates her different business roles, the importance of authentic community, and her intentional approach to curating powerful retreat experiences.

 Connect with Danielle:

• Website: Danielle Throckmorton
• Facebook: Ladies Conquering Goals
• Retreat: Reach Retreat

Join Premium OKC Networking and be a part of Faithann's online networking hub for all the great places to network in OKC.

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