Community for ROI – Where business meets relationships

Tim Frazier didn’t set out to build a community-powered business engine. He just wanted to play soccer and meet interesting people. But over time, the results told a different story—60 to 70% of his consulting business came directly through the communities he helped grow. No ads. No cold outreach. Just real trust built through shared experiences.

Community isn’t a soft skill—it’s a growth strategy

At surface level, community looks like a social function: events, Slack threads, jam sessions. But under the hood, it’s operational. Tim’s work with Startup Experts, a network of 2,000 HR, finance, and operations professionals in tech, has led to direct pipeline results. Not from pitching. From proximity.

The ROI comes because trust is already there. The transaction is secondary to the relationship.

Personal interests can drive professional returns

Soccer and music aren’t just hobbies for Tim—they’re community formats. His soccer group gathers in Williamsburg for early morning games followed by co-working. His music community meets monthly at Smash Studios for jam sessions. They’re both open to professionals, and both have led to valuable business connections.

This blended approach—aligning your passion with your professional network—doesn’t just save time. It builds deeper trust. And trust compounds faster than ads ever will.

ROI from community happens in the long game

The returns aren’t instant. Community building takes time, consistency, and people skills. But the upside is defensible. While competitors are fighting for attention in noisy channels, Tim is front-of-mind by default.

Why? Because the group is structured around value: thoughtful content, vetted members, and regular touchpoints. No salesy language. Just shared relevance.

Community helps you scale trust—not just reach

In a world full of automation, community helps you scale authenticity. Tim uses Dripify to find people who match his community DNA (musicians, soccer players, HR leaders)—then sends invites based on relevance, not volume.

That approach lowers CAC (Customer Acquisition Cost), builds long-term brand equity, and makes every conversion warmer. The ROI isn’t just higher—it’s more sustainable.

Community isn’t a funnel. It’s a flywheel.

Tim doesn’t just build events—he builds systems. Whether it’s maintaining a Slack group for Startup Experts, organizing field time for soccer, or renting jam space in Midtown, he’s designing experiences that generate recurring touchpoints.

With the right infrastructure, these communities become self-sustaining. The brand (whether personal or business) becomes a side effect of value—not a lead magnet with an expiration date.

How Startups and Entrepreneurs Can Partner with Community Organizers

Founders are often looking for distribution, user insights, or warm leads. Community organizers already have all three. But partnerships work best when they’re mutually beneficial, low-lift, and aligned on values.

Here’s how to do it well:

Provide Resources, Not Just Pitches

Sponsoring food, venues, or giveaways can make you visible without being intrusive. Tim’s Startup Experts events are often co-hosted with brands that show up with value—not a sales deck.

Plug Into Culture, Not Just Channels

If your brand is aligned with wellness, music, or tech—for example—look for grassroots communities in that lane. Tim’s music and soccer communities are micro-networks of deeply engaged professionals. They don’t need more noise. They need context.

Let the Organizer Lead

The best partnerships give organizers autonomy. Ask what their community needs. Support it without trying to steer the vibe. These are trust-based ecosystems, not just mailing lists.

Look Beyond Metrics

Community partnerships may not generate immediate signups. But they build brand recall, create advocates, and surface talent pipelines. Tim doesn’t track conversion rates—he tracks who comes back.

Stay Consistent

Don’t drop in and disappear. Repeat presence matters. Show up again. Keep supporting. That’s how you move from outsider to community asset.

Key Takeaways: Connecting ROI to Community

• Community drives inbound: Build trust first, and the opportunities come to you.
• Interests aren’t distractions—they’re formats: Turn what you love into a platform for connection.
• Track returns, not just reach: Look at deal flow, relationships, and brand equity—not just event attendance.
• Automation should amplify, not replace: Tools like Dripify work best when used with intention.
• Partnering with organizers is leverage: Offer real support, show up consistently, and don’t hijack the culture.

Tim’s advice for founders and operators?

Business is still personal. In 2025, the edge isn’t scale. It’s trust at scale. Community is how you get there.