A fair, plain guide to meeting business people in Durban, Hillcrest and the Upper Highway, from the Durban Chamber and BNI breakfasts to local business groups and introduction clubs.
In Durban and the Upper Highway you can meet business people through the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, BNI chapters in and around the city, local business groups in the Hillcrest, Kloof and Gillitts area, Rotary and service clubs, and introduction clubs like Hillcrest Business Connect, where people meet through someone who already knows them both.
Durban is warm, humid and wonderfully mixed, a port city with a big heart, the smell of curry and sea salt in the air, and business that runs as much on relationships as on contracts. Up the hill, Hillcrest and the Upper Highway feel greener and calmer, with misty mornings, the Valley of a Thousand Hills rolling away to the west, and a strong village sense of community. Up here, people really do know each other, and a good name travels fast.
The main business chamber for the city, with events, advocacy and access to larger companies. It suits firms that want profile in greater Durban and a voice in the wider business community. Membership is paid.
BNI chapters meet weekly, usually at breakfast, with one member per profession and a clear expectation that members bring referrals. A good fit for service businesses who like structure and are happy to commit to every week.
Hillcrest, Kloof and Gillitts have their own local networks, business directories and community groups. They are friendly, informal and close to home, ideal if most of your customers live within a short drive.
Rotary and similar clubs meet across Durban and the Upper Highway. They are about service first, and the business relationships that grow there tend to be deep and long lasting.
This is our club in the area, hosted by Shirree Leone. Members get to know each other, give and ask for introductions, and reach beyond Hillcrest through the wider My Most Trusted network. You can read more at hillcrestbizconnect.com.
In a close community, a referral from someone respected is worth more than any advert. It works for jobs too: plenty of people on the Upper Highway find their next employer, or their next great hire, through a quiet word from someone they trust.