I’m an entrepreneur and investor. I started the DallasBlue Business Network in 2000 in the wake of the dot com bubble to help the local community recover. Blue became the largest networking group in Texas with events for entrepreneurs, investors, and networkers. During my career I’ve worked for, consulted with, or managed several companies in this space.
Three years later I was an active user on Ryze. I switched to LinkedIn and became an early advocate. I rose to #3 in the world in total number of connections. I created one of the first LinkedIn Open Networker communities, Linkedin Groups, a LinkedIn radio show, and other LinkedIn properties.
LinkedIn clamped down as its popularity took off. It was Wild West fun and games when people like me helped them grow to their first million members. Not so much afterward. They limited the maximum number of connections to 30,000. I was one of 6 (The “Dirty Half Dozen”?) who were above this limit.
That was just the start of a myriad of restrictions over the now early years that increasingly limited its use for open and active networkers and small businesses.
LinkedIn banned me at one point for being too good a networker. But, in what I was told was a first, they gave me a second chance (I can be a sweetheart) and let me back in.
And so LinkedIn pivoted from being a true networking site focused on contacts to a social media site focused on jobs and publishing.
IYN aims to do better. Read more in our About Us page.
I invite you to join us. The first step is registering as an Open or other type of networker in the Vacation Steal Sweepstakes (that’s our sister company). As an added treat, you may even win a cruise or resort vacation!
