Interview: Dan Oropesa, Co-Founder, Mack Power Group

Dan has over 13 years of business networking and event planning experience.  He moved to South Florida in 1998 and has maintained a well respected position in the professional and business networking arena for the past 4 years.  Predominantly marketing to the gay & lesbian community in Fort Lauderdale, Dan’s company, Mack MultiMedia, Inc, has successfully created long term relationships between the GLBT Community and its allies each month.  His events POWER LUNCH | Fort Lauderdale and MACK MIXER have been recognized in numerous publications including The Miami Herald and The South Florida Business Journal.  Most recent achievement was his Genre Magazine’s 2008 Man of the Year nomination and the company’s recognition as a 2008 Honoree of the Stars of the Rainbow Gala in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

1.  How do you define "business networking?"

Business Networking is an opportunity to create a new or strengthen an existing business relationship.  It’s a skill that can be refined over time with practice.   

2.  How did you brand yourself as a “networking authority?”

My partner (Donald J. Harvey) and I created a business networking group in 2005 called Mack Power Group.  In a very short time after our first networking lunch event (Power Lunch | Fort Lauderdale), we became a ‘resource’ for the South Florida Business Community.   Someone needed a realtor, an attorney, a plumber, an event planner…   Luckily we always had someone in our database of contacts.  So, we took that information to the next level and created a global online directory called MackPlanet.com.   So instead of calling our office, our network simply found each other online and continued to tell their friends about it.   Referrals by word of mouth and internet… two key elements for successful networking.

3.  Why did you start Mack Power Group?

We started MACK because we had so many straight business alliances with such little knowledge of how to get involved and market to the gay & lesbian community.  We needed to create a forum that was publicly known as gay-owned, yet open to everyone in business, regardless of sexuality.  So, we coined the term “Gay & Straight-Friendly”   By letting everyone know via print ads and our weekly online newsletter that ‘it’s less about orientation… and all about discovering untapped opportunities’ - the word got out and here we are today.   

4.  When did you realize that networking was important for your business success?

From the first day we realized that ‘just because you build a website, it doesn’t mean they’ll visit it.’  It was extremely important to attach a face to the internet name.  How many times do we visit a website and think, “Who is really behind this and can I trust them with my money?”  We wanted to make sure that our existing and potential customers knew that they can call our office and KNOW who they’re talking to each time.      

5.  How have you benefited personally from networking?

We’ve both grown tremendously from our achievements, as well as learned from our several failures.  Recently receiving community recognition as an Honoree of the Stars of the Rainbow Gala in Fort Lauderdale (Business Category) was a truly humbling experience.  We realized what a difference we’ve made in so many small businesses and how we’ve represented the gay community with its best foot forward.  It’s an astounding feeling to be known in a large city as a ‘trusted’ business person.  We appreciate every moment of it and never take it for granted.

6.  What is one of the lesser-known secrets to effective networking?

People don’t get business from a flashy brochure or the quality stock of a business card.  They do business with people they trust and consider a friend.  And this only happens with time as you build the relationship.  Just because you show up once to a networking event and hand out your business card, doesn’t mean your phone will be ringing the next day.  Relationships take time and it’s surprising to witness how many people don’t have the patience for it.

For other interviews, view my Interviews Archive. 

Comments

[JoLynn Braley]

Hi Jason,

Great interview - what stood out for me is the importance of building trust and relationships in networking....that's what it really all comes down to.

[Jason Jacobsohn]

Thanks JoLynn. Glad you liked the interview.

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