For many business owners, the word networking brings to mind a familiar scene: a room full of strangers, quick introductions, and a stack of business cards that rarely turn into real relationships.

In Jefferson County, Next Generation Networking is building something different.

Held at 6pm on the first Wednesday of every month, the gathering is designed to feel less like a formal event and closer to a large family gathering. There is food, drinks, quiet music, and conversation that starts naturally instead of being forced.

Meeting in the evening is part of what makes the format work. For many business owners, that means they do not have to choose between running their business during the day and making the kinds of connections that can help it grow.

A Different Kind of Networking

That feeling is not accidental. It is the foundation of what co-founders Travis Greer and Chris Abling, owners of The Property Cousins, set out to create alongside Ryan Morris of Advance Carpet One.

The goal is not to replace or criticize traditional networking groups. Chambers, referral organizations, and structured groups all serve an important role in the community. This is simply something different, designed for people who want to build relationships in a more natural and meaningful way.

“I want to do business with somebody that I have a relationship with and genuinely trust,” Greer said.

Rather than asking how many people someone can meet in a night, the focus is on whether real trust is being built. For many business owners, that trust is essential. Referrals are not just transactions. They are a reflection of reputation.

That philosophy shapes everything about the event.

A Room That Feels Different

From the moment people walk in, the difference is noticeable.

There is no pressure to perform, no expectation to deliver a perfect pitch, and no rigid structure guiding every interaction. Instead, the environment is intentionally designed to help people relax and be present.

Food is shared. Conversations flow. Laughter carries across the room.

“It doesn’t matter if you are there in a suit and tie or in camouflage and work pants. Everybody has a seat at the table,” Abling said.

That sense of comfort plays a critical role. Greer said that when people feel anxious or overly focused on what they are supposed to say, it becomes difficult to build real connections.

“When you feel comfortable and you can be yourself, that is whenever you are going to make the best connections and form the best relationships,” Greer said.

A Growing Community

That atmosphere is already translating into momentum.

At recent gatherings, the room has included a wide mix of local business owners and professionals. Real estate agents, photographers, service providers, and entrepreneurs from across Jefferson County have all found their way into the space, many returning month after month as relationships continue to build.

The Property Cousins founded NGN with Ryan Morris of Advance Carpet One, and organizers say it has been remarkable to watch the community help grow that vision.

The event is hosted each month at Grit & Grace Ranch, through Gaitway to Her Success.

Wendy Cooper of Next Door Photos STL serves as photography sponsor, while Misty King of Glo Event Co provides the event’s selfie station experience.

Ambassadors include Jon and Dani Faith of Faith Mechanical, Jackie Greer of St. Louis Glass Works, Logan Taylor with New York Life, and Sophia Labrier with McNeil Insurance Group.

What started as separate groups of attendees has quickly evolved into something more unified. Conversations now move freely across the space, and what once felt like multiple small circles has become one connected community.

Building Something Bigger

For Greer, Abling, and Morris the long-term vision goes beyond a single monthly event.

They hope Next Generation Networking becomes a place where local business owners can grow, build confidence, and find opportunities they may not have otherwise had.

When asked how they want business owners to feel after attending an event, Abling said the goal is simple: that they belong.

In a county filled with people working to build something of their own, that sense of belonging may be what makes Next Generation Networking stand out.

It is not about how many people you meet. It is about finding the right people, building trust, and creating something stronger together.

*All photos courtesy of Next Generation Networking, the Next Door Photos STL Team, and taken by Gary "Tex" Rule.

Stay connected to what’s happening in Jefferson County.

The Jefferson Review delivers the local government decisions, development updates, and community stories shaping our county every Thursday and Sunday.

Don’t miss what your neighbors are talking about.

Subscribe free to The Jefferson Review