So you want to network with other small business owners?  Thanks to the miracle of the internet, small business networking is pretty easy.  You can find lots of other small business owners on MeetUp.com.  This is a “real world” or physical meeting and networking site.  You’ll find lots of people on there (if you live in a city of any major size) that are in the same situation you are.   They want to network with other small business owners and hopefully find a new client, customer, supplier, or whatever else they might need.

Generally small business owners like to deal with other small business owners.  Maybe there’s a personal connection between entrepreneurial spirits, or maybe they’ll just get a better price…but whatever the reason…it works!

There are also a lot of other organizations you can join.  Here are a few:

• Entrepreneurs Only (EO) - A membership organization designed to help business owners from around the world on their path to greater business and personal fulfillment.
• International Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises Organization dedicated to promoting small businesses around the globe. Offers a free entry in their International Business Directory and a forum designed to allow the exchange of ideas between small business owners and entrepreneurs worldwide as well as many other resources.
• The Glass House - The Glasshouse was founded in 1998 to provide support, encouragement and inspiration to entrepreneurs across all sectors.
• PeerSight - An e-enabled CEO membership organization for small business.
• TEC - A worldwide network of more than 12,000 progressive and practiced executives.
• The Small Business Forum - Interactive forum and message board dedicated to small business issues.

If you want to start small, I suggest the small business forum.  It’s anonymous (mostly) because it’s completely online and while the meeting is virtual, the benefits are real.