Sharing Your Blessing Interview With Mark Winebrenner

A Virtual Blessing's new bi-monthly e-newsletter includes an interview series entitled: "Sharing Your Blessing”; highlighting a successful Christian business owner's expertise in their respective field or ministry. In this issue I had the privilege of interviewing Mark Winebrenner, President of the CBNA. He openly shares about himself, CBNA and provides helpful networking advice.

When and why did you start the Christian Business Networking Association (CBNA)? What is its purpose? We incorporated the name 2005, receiving our non-profit status in 2006. At that time there were no venues or events at which Christians in business could network together on a regular basis. Furthermore what we saw were a gluttony of business networking options in the secular marketplace but not a place to learn how to be better networkers.

Finally and most importantly, we wanted to create an environment in which Christians could both serve and be served by their brothers and sisters in Christ and be part of something bigger than themselves by helping to grow the community of Christians in business. So many great things can happen with Believers gather together for help, encouragement and mutual edification.

Before you were President of CBNA, what was your profession or background? My career started in the hospitality industry, specifically front office operations in hotels. I managed desk clerks, bellmen and night audit operations. Then I transitioned into apartment management when I learned to balance hospitality for residents, managing property maintenance and the sales team. This is when my sales career began in leasing apartments; a great marriage of both sales and management.

After 9 years I launched into the world of the self employed working as an independent sales rep for the Christian Business Phone Book and imprinted promotional products. I still have a small promo product business. My 12 years with the phone book was a key catalyst in bringing Christians in business together for networking.

What makes CBNA different from other networking groups? I am a strong believer that as Christians, our business is our strongest platform for serving the Lord. We spend more time at work than any other single aspect of our life which includes time with our family. Part of any ministry is service part of which is to our family in Christ. When you combine those two thoughts, it is logical to consider that the greatest opportunity to serve your Christian family is in the marketplace.

Therefore we want to provide an environment in which not only can you grow and improve your business, but you can serve your brothers and sisters in Christ by helping them with their business. I think this is just important as any Christian service. The possibilities and impact we can have in the lives of others and our impact in the marketplace are endless.

I know you actively participate in both offline (face-to-face) and online networking. How do you think social media will continue to shape the world of networking in the near future? All indicators show continued evolution and growth. One thing I read is that you will see more traditional websites incorporate a social media component. For example there are social media sites launched by a specific companies where consumers of those products can share experiences, tips etc… Instead of that company starting a group under a large network such as Facebook, they start their own.

This encourages me that niche groups will continue to have a voice. I believe there is need and interest for business networking specifically within the Christian community.

You can continue to read the entire interview here.