Determination to do things differently and better led entrepreneur Beth Meixner
to create Moxxie Network less than a year ago. A graduate of Oneonta State
University with a dual major in Business/Economics and Child Development, Meixner,
began her career with New York Life Insurance Company. After a year and a half,
she went back to school full-time in pursuit of her MBA from Adelphi University.
She married her college sweetheart, had a daughter, Lauren, and divorced
four years later. Determined to support herself and raise her daughter,
Meixner worked
two jobs for many years. Throughout this time, her parents and neighbors formed
her support network. Waiting tables at night supplemented her daytime income
and created an opportunity to be among young service professionals and network
in a different setting.
Career building
Meixner was office manager for a law firm for nearly two years then became
branch manager for a national insurance examination company. The position
also included the responsibility for sales. In a recent interview with
Networking® magazine she said, “I never wanted to be a salesperson
and I didn’t know it was part of the job when I accepted the position.
But there I was, thrown into sales so it was either sink or swim.” Here
Meixner was introduced to business networking as a way to build sales and
relationships. She added, “I had no formal training in sales and
didn’t think I could sell, so I did what came naturally to me. I
treated customers and potential customers as friends by listening to their
needs and addressing each and every concern on a personal level.”
As a result, new orders were received, previous customers returned
and Meixner was realizing the efforts of her personal touch. Her
personal relationships
with clients led to invitations to client and industry events as well as
a request to join the Industry Association’s Board even though she wasn’t
technically part of the industry but a service provider.
Years later, she again had the opportunity to use her sales experience
and relationship building in her new position as the director of
sales and marketing
for Target Group Media, a high-end graphic design firm. However, her networking
efforts were met with diminishing returns. “I was not meeting the decision
makers or people who could afford my services,” explained Meixner, who
felt that networking was more productive when done in unique settings with
a focus on the personal side. “Unless you really connect with someone
on a personal level and understand exactly what their company does, you will
not buy from them or recommend them to others.”
Moxxie Network is born
After meeting Ann Marie Borghese, owner, Costello de Borghese Vineyards in
Cutchogue, Meixner organized her first informal Moxxie event. She invited
business women she had become friends with through networking to tour Borghese
Vineyards. “We learned about growing and picking grapes and enjoyed
a wine-tasting.” The excursion concluded with lunch at a nearby restaurant. “It
was one of the best days I’ve experienced,” said Meixner. “I
was with a group of very successful, smart and caring women joined together
for a common cause; relationship building. That evening the light went
on in my head and I thought - this is how women were meant to network.” Her
epiphany translated to her concept that a small group of women sharing
personal stories and business challenges produced results. She added, “I
immediately started working on the Moxxie business plan.”
The Sixteen Week Challenge, the first live Internet reality show, hosted
by Andrew Morrison, president, Small Business Camp, was the catalyst
for fine
tuning the Moxxie business plan that propelled Meixner forward. She confessed, “For
sixteen weeks every Tuesday night, I had to appear on the Internet show and
report on my progress for the last week. I didn’t want to embarrass myself
and I made sure that each week I had accomplished one goal that got me closer
to launching Moxxie.”
The Moxxie concept
is unique
Meixner explained, “Moxxie is first and foremost, a women’s business
community. We are a network of women rather than a networking group. Our goal
is to provide women with the unique opportunity to interact in non-traditional
settings for the purpose of increasing business, expanding their networks and
educating them about areas of interest specific to women.”
The majority of Moxxie events are kept small to enable intimate connections
among the attendees. As a result, Moxxie members and guests have the opportunity
to build stronger connections faster because they get to know each other
on both a business and personal level. “I wanted to build a community where
successful women can share business and personal experiences with one another
in a comfortable, social atmosphere. No two events are alike and each provides
a unique experience. You’d be surprised at some of the stories that come
out at these events. We laugh at some, we cry at others and we can relate to
all of them,” Meixner said.
Through the Junior Moxxie Program, college women will have the opportunity
to secure internships, be provided with an appropriately matched mentor
and attend Junior Moxxie Workshops conducted by Moxxie members.
This emerging
group of women is a portal for the executives of tomorrow and provides
a jump start
for any ambitious graduate’s career.
Moxxie gives back
Meixner created a partnership with Dress for Success/Brookhaven (DFS) to help
increase donations of business attire, mentors and workshops for women
who are entering or re-entering the workforce under difficult circumstances.
Her own life experiences have led her to understand the needs of working
women first hand. The partnership with Dress for Success was a “perfect
fit” she said. The first joint event with DFS, scheduled for June
17th, at the DFS office in Brookhaven Town Hall, will bring together Moxxie
women and DFS clients for networking, presentations, one-on-one coaching
and a business attire clothing drive.
Meixner’s plan is to build an entire support system for women throughout
their life starting with girls. Just as Moxxie members mentor the Junior Moxxies,
the Junior Moxxies will become big sisters and role models to the Girl Scouts.
Several joint events are being planned to give young girls the opportunity
to connect with college women with whom they can better relate.
Expansion of the Moxxie Network will include women in their 20’s and
30’s who are not yet ready to become members but who are highly motivated
and directed in their careers. This group, to be known as Ms Moxxie, will bridge
the gap between Junior Moxxie and Moxxie Network members. Meixner explained, “Although
I will oversee Ms Moxxie, I am hand-selecting business-savvy young women who
will run the program which will mirror the Moxxie business model. Not only
will Ms Moxxie provide a community for motivated young women but will also
give them the experience of starting their own organization from the ground
floor up; an immeasurable opportunity. My vision is to create a continuum of
support for women as they work their way through life.”
To complete this continuum, she plans to involve retired business women
in the Moxxie community. “These women have years of experience and wisdom
that could benefit all of us,” she added.
“Although Moxxie Network is a women’s business community, we are
definitely not anti-men. It’s just that women interact and network differently
from men.” As Meixner includes her own husband as part of her support network,
Moxxie Network will host several Bring Your Own Man (BYOM) events where each
member brings a male business associate.
Meixner’s
success stories
Meixner’s success in envisioning and moving forward in a world of women
shows that determination and support help to make a woman succeed. Her achievements
are largely due to the complete backing she has received from family, friends
and business associates. “My support system started years ago when my
parents provided us with a solid foundation which gave us self-esteem and confidence
that I carried into adulthood. I had a strong mother who ran the house, was
a full-time elementary school teacher, took care of four children and cooked
a family dinner every night,” she said.
Meixner acknowledged that her husband of 8 years, Andrew Meixner, is the continuous
leaning post in making her dreams come true. “I was divorced for 17 years
and I feel so blessed because Andrew is such a wonderful husband and step-father
that had I waited 117 years, he still would have been worth the wait,” she
said. While Meixner’s main focus is Moxxie, she works with Target Group
Media on a project-by-project basis. She belongs to many business networking
groups and volunteers her time for several Long Island charities.
She is proud that in the months since Moxxie Network was launched,
members have already obtained business benefits beyond their expectations. “Our
Members have partnered on new projects, provided internships, client acquisitions,
strategic partnerships and personal friendships,” she said. As her vision
is realized, Beth Meixner’s message to successful business women who
are seeking new ways to connect is – “All you need is Moxxie.”
