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HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons hosts the most downloaded sports podcast of all time, with a rotating crew of celebrities, athletes, and media staples, as well as mainstays like Cousin Sal, Joe House, and a slew of other friends and family members who always happen to be suspiciously available.
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Cut The Tie Podcast with Brian Keltner & Francesca Kenney
What happens when two co-founders build multiple ventures without ever meeting in person? In this episode of Cut The Tie, host Thomas Helfrich sits down with Brian Keltner and Francesca Kenney, co-founders of ELEV8ORS, to talk about how they’re reinventing networking.
From nearly choking on their first phone call together to launching a global B2B community in just 8 weeks, Brian and Francesca share how they help entrepreneurs shift from “me, me, me” pitching to relationship-first ecosystems. Their secret? Small groups of 8, immersive environments, and a culture of listening for impact.
About Brian & Francesca
Brian Keltner and Francesca Kenney are the co-founders of ELEV8ORS, a virtual B2B networking company built on the principle of elevating others. With decades of combined experience in marketing, finance, and entrepreneurship, they designed ELEV8ORS as an antidote to pitch-fests—focusing instead on authentic relationships, structured agendas, and immersive virtual spaces. Their mission is simple: help entrepreneurs build meaningful networks that grow businesses faster.
In this episode, Thomas, Brian, and Francesca discuss:
- From strangers to partners
How a chance introduction and a hilarious near-death choking incident sparked a lasting business partnership. - Why 8 matters
The symbolism, science, and practicality of keeping networking groups capped at 8 members. - From idea to revenue in 8 weeks
The sprint that took ELEV8ORS from concept to international cash flow. - Cutting ties with time-wasters
Why saying no to unproductive tasks, software, and people frees you to focus on what matters. - Immersive meetings over Zoom fatigue
How a 3D virtual environment beats traditional video calls and deepens connections.
Key Takeaways
- Small rooms, big outcomes
Eight is the sweet spot—large groups leave people out. - Relationships beat pitches
Networking works when it’s about who you can help, not what you sell. - Iterate quickly
Launch, learn, and improve—don’t wait for perfection. - Simplify your stack
The right tools can replace several wrong ones and save time. - Community is a system
Be intentional about who you gather and how you engage.
Connect with Brian & Francesca
🌐 Website: https://elev8ors.net
📎 LinkedIn (Brian): https://www.linkedin.com/in/briankeltner1/
📎 LinkedIn (Francesca): https://www.linkedin.com/in/francescakenney/
Connect with Thomas Helfrich
🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/thelfrich
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cutthetie
📎 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomashelfich
🌐 Website: https://www.cutthetie.com
📧 Email: [email protected]
🚀 Instantly Relevant: https://instantlyrelevant.com
Serious about LinkedIn Lead Generation? Stop Guessing what to do on LinkedIn and ignite revenue from relevance with Instantly Relevant Lead System
Chapters
1. Meeting Brian and Francesca (00:00:00)
2. How They Met Without Meeting (00:01:41)
3. Introducing Elevators: Virtual B2B Networking (00:03:02)
4. The Power of Eight in Business (00:07:13)
5. From Pitching to Genuine Connection (00:10:46)
6. Cutting Ties With Time Wasters (00:15:19)
7. Finding Inspiration and Trust (00:19:46)
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