Vern Schellenger: Authentic Connection – Networking for Founders Who Crave Real Relationships

Are you a visionary founder, pouring your heart and soul into building something meaningful, yet finding yourself navigating a persistent fog when it comes to making the right connections? Do the usual networking events leave you feeling drained, misunderstood, or like you’re just going through transactional motions?

If you’ve ever felt that your unique way of thinking and operating isn't served by conventional networking advice, then this episode of The Lighthouse Sessions with Jeff Borschowa and special guest Vern Schellenger is for you.

It’s time to stop feeling "Fogbound" or "Drifting" in a sea of superficial interactions. What if networking wasn’t about collecting business cards or perfecting a glib elevator pitch, but about forging genuine, trust-based human connections that can illuminate your path and accelerate your mission?

Our guest, Vern Schellenger, is the President and CEO of Contacts Count and a true Master Connector. But he wasn't always. Vern shares his incredible journey from being an "unconscious incompetent" at networking—comfortable in a 25-year career at Dunkin Donuts—to becoming a leading expert who bought the very company (Contacts Count) that transformed his understanding of human connection. His story is a powerful testament that effective, authentic networking is a learnable skill, not an innate trait reserved for extroverts.

In this transformative discussion, Vern and Jeff dive deep into:

• The Shift in Mindset: Discover why approaching networking as an act of "teaching and giving" rather than "taking" can revolutionize your experience and results.
• Beyond the Business Card: Learn how to answer "What do you do?" in a way that communicates your true value and impact, sparking genuine curiosity and deeper conversation—a must for founders whose vision transcends a simple job title.
• Strategic Connection: Understand the importance of a strategic approach to networking. Why are you connecting? Who do you need in your ecosystem? Stop wasting energy and start building relationships that truly matter.
• The Iceberg Analogy: Uncover the hidden depths of relationships and why the most valuable connections are built over time, through multiple, authentic interactions.
• The Power of Assessment: Vern discusses the Contacts Count Networking Competency Assessment—a tool that can bring clarity to your current skills and illuminate a path for growth, helping you move from conscious incompetence to conscious competence. (You know we love a good assessment for self-awareness!)
• Debunking Myths: Vern tackles common misconceptions, like "networking is dead" or "I'm too [old/introverted/busy] to learn," with compelling insights and real-world examples of its enduring power.
• Customized Growth: Hear how Vern’s approach focuses on customizing engagements to an individual's specific needs, moving beyond cookie-cutter solutions—perfect for founders like Alex Rivers who require a more tailored path.

If you're tired of networking advice that feels hollow or misaligned with your intuitive, visionary nature, Vern Schellenger offers a beacon. His principles resonate deeply with the ethos of "The Lighthouse & The Founder," guiding you to build relationships that are not just beneficial, but also soulful and sustainable.

Thank you for joining us on The Lighthouse Sessions! If this conversation resonated with you, please LIKE this video, SUBSCRIBE for more content designed for visionary founders, and SHARE it with a fellow founder who might be looking for their own lighthouse. We’d love to hear