Exploring Life & Business with Robert W. Jones of iNETrepreneur Network

Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert W. Jones.

Hi Robert, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
I relocated my business in 2009, to San Tan Valley, AZ after I moved from San Diego, CA. It was quite a transition going from San Diego to San Tan Valley during that time frame. The population, the business climate, and the resources were quite different in San Tan Valley, versus San Diego. When I relocated, my first step was to connect with the Chamber of Commerce. At that time, the local Chamber of Commerce would not approve my membership, primarily because I offered the same services that the Executive Director / Owner of the Chamber of Commerce offered and that was web design. 

I remember struggling because I wasn’t plugged into the local business community. In a way, it was small-town tight. It was really scary at that time because I was in the process of purchasing a new home and had a 3-year-old to worry about.  After about a year of struggling, I was introduced to a man who talked about a leads group. I went to the leads group with great hope, but I found that the gentleman who led the leads group was also the executive director of the same Chamber of Commerce where I was not approved. I knew then, I probably wouldn’t get accepted into the leads group either. So being a Marine, I did what we do, I improvised I overcome and I adapted. I started a networking group of my own with a partner and called it Beyond Bagels and Coffee in the Morning to supplement my web design business. With this group, I learned how to grow community businesses to the point where we’re able to create some lead generation for each other and grow out of my shell with word-of-mouth marketing.

In 2011, I decided to change the group’s name to Network Together, and it grew to about 15 chapters in the Phoenix area with another four additional chapters in four other states. Then COVID came, and overnight all of the in-person chapters evaporated and the income that came in from Network Together was gone. It was hard, I was married, with 3 kids, and no business. I was fortunate, I joined a Mastermind and got some help. I decided to change the direction of Network Together. It became the iNETrepreneur Network, I hired my wife as CEO, and that’s what we have today, an organization that has virtual meetings, book and magazine publications, a radio network, online events, and now that people are starting to meet again in-person chapters and events. Currently, we have members from over 20 countries in 25 different states and this is due primarily because we invested in a pivot and had the courage to follow through with all of the new opportunities that we created. The iNETrepreneur Network didn’t succeed immediately.  It took nearly six months to get out of the red, and without a “parachute”, we just kept plugging away until we found our success.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The biggest struggle sometimes is the head game struggle. Can I do this? I am worthy enough? Am I creating the impact that I want? When you run a business, you run a business to make a profit. It was a true hit to the ego when you fail financially – that is where COVID crushed me! Another unseen factor was letting go. When I decided to hire my wife as the CEO, I didn’t realize how much I needed my thumbprint on everything. It may be ok, to micromanage your team at times, but to do so with your wife (and CEO), that is a different story.

There were some heated conversations, and we made it through. The hardest struggle, though, was letting go of three of our five virtual assistants. When the revenue dried up because of COVID, it was tough. You have a responsibility, to your people, but in the end, you have a responsibility to your family as well. Lastly, I work better in an office environment, it was a really sharp change, moving my office back home. I like my privacy, my space, and when needed, being uninterrupted. That doesn’t happen at home.

We’ve been impressed with iNETrepreneur Network, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The iNETrepreneur Network is one of the largest omnichannel business networking organizations in the world. An omnichannel organization meets the needs of its members by providing educational, promotional, and sales training/opportunities through all levels of marketing channels, such as radio, publishing, online networking, mixers, digital marketing, and various entrepreneurial training through our academy,

We are known for our Internationally best-selling book series, the Art of Connection, our Art of Connection Global Summit, and our signature event, the award-winning iNETwork Expo. Each of our services is tailored to the needs of our individual members. We also have a vast joint venture partner network that provides an additive backbone of our services. As we say, “Entrepreneurs deserve a place to go, so they can grow.”

What were you like growing up?
I was quite shy growing up, especially in elementary school, and into middle school. I had to work myself out of a speech impediment, stuttering and clinical shyness. My awkwardness as a child made it hard on me as a lot of kids would like to pick on me. On the flip side, I had a very inquisitive mind, I really loved the stars, and I really loved nature. I found most of my peace was being grounded to the earth. As I got older and became more confident, I started to play sports and enjoyed acting. Sports and acting were a natural way for me to start developing confidence. This confidence helped me overcome my initial social awkwardness. 

I think the greatest thing about being a recovering fearful introvert though is that I understand what it’s like to have a lot of fear being in public, getting on stage, getting to know someone, or just putting yourself out there as an expert. Too many entrepreneurs have fear when starting their business, and I have learned, FEAR is not real! Overcoming fear, helps me to understand the specific needs of entrepreneurs who want to go “large” and believe that in addition to what they do well, know that they will succeed fastest if they get on stages, into pages, and do engages for their client base. 

Although I worked hard at being more outgoing, much of my passion for much of my work life, consisted of computers. I love computers in such a way that I did programming, coding, and front-end development and graphic design for major corporations as a contract worker including Intuit, GoDaddy, E-Food Safety, Nuvilex, and many more. For the longest time what I did was very much project based. Project-based initiatives facilitated my love for teams and helped me to further outgrow my shyness.

By the way, some fun notable stuff – I have been a coffee barista, a professional juggler, US Marine, and a missionary. WOW!

Pricing:

• Networking Membership starts at $25 per month
• Art of Connection, Reserved date page, $197
• Panel Speaking Spots start at $497
• Radio Show Interviews, Evergreens Interviews, start at $100
• Keynote Speaker Spots start at $1497

Contact Info:

• Website: https://inetrepreneurnetwork.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inetrepreneur_network/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/inetrepreneur
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/NetworkingToo
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/inetrepreneurradio
• Other: https://artofconnectionsummit.com/