I just finished reading a follow up post by Tracy Riba: Networking the "Good Ol' Boys"-Follow Up Tracy had been invited to a seminar designed to teach a person how to Network with the Good Ol' Boys in the South. If you haven't read Tracy's post, be sure to - it's very enlightening.
After I read what Tracy had learned, I just had to laugh. I've been networking with the Good Ol' Boys of Phillipsburg, Missouri and didn't really know it.
You see, Phillipsburg Missouri has a population of 201 give or take a few. They have six or seven churches, a post office, city hall, a new library, a boat sewing factory, a city park and two gas stations. Town is located at exit 118 on I-44; one gas station on each side of the Interstate.
The gas station on the "town side" of I-44 is owned and operated by a couple "not from here." You hardly see the locals around there.
The other gas station, Massey's Conoco, is owned and operated by Wes & Diane Massey - natives of the P-burg area. They have a nice business off the Interstate and all the locals patronize their establishment. (If you're in the area, be sure to try the homemade biscuits and gravy for $2.50)
In addition to the coolers of pop and bottles of water, there are rows of canned goods and snacky stuff. Between the booths and the ice cream cooler, you'll find the most important spot of Massey's: the round table.
It's here at the round table important decisions are made. The men gather around, once in the morning and again in the afternoon. (Unless of course it's raining - like today. Then the table is full all day, with the guys coming and going.) They discuss the local gossip, the county gossip, the political scene. They discuss who was at the last auction and who wasn't. They discuss who's road needs grated and who just thinks their road needs work. . . Don't let them fool you - the men gossip as much as the women do!
I try to stop by Massey's as often as I can. When I need gas, I try to time my purchase around these "unofficial" meetings. I enjoy hearing the stories of today and yesterday. I enjoy watching the interaction between the guys. I enjoy trying to figure out who has "rank" among those present. I've even promised a few of them United Country hats, that they will to wear to the local sale barn.
Last week, Wes Massey pulled me to the side - he heard about a piece of land. The owner doesn't want to "mess with a Realtor" but they would sell the property if I had a buyer.
I was so excited!
Believe it or not, when your not from here, "hearing" about a piece of property is progress. I'll never be one of them. With time, a few stories here and there and when asked, acting like I know nothing, I've become more accepted. That's networking, P-burg style.
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Contact Debbie DiFonzo, Broker, United Country VIP Realty, at 417-468-5900 to list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Marshfield, Conway, Phillipsburg, Lebanon, Long Lane, or Buffalo, Missouri.
To view all our listings and auctions, visit: http://www.uctheozarks.com/
Contact Debbie at: Debbie@ucvip.com
Copyright © 2008 By Debbie DiFonzo, All Rights Reserved. The information provided herein is obtained from multiple sources and is deemed accurate but not guaranteed.
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Debbie, Sounds as if the networking there is VERY Different from what we have which is now Speed Networking--I haven't been to one of them but you DO meet many people in one evening. Good luck at a round table, you never know.