Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Goodman.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Ever have one of those “detour” moments in life? That’s totally me. After college, I moved to LA because I wanted to work in the entertainment industry, which I did for a couple of years, but left to take on a marketing & events role with a web company. Clearly, the universe had other plans. I ended up getting laid off, and that’s where I stumbled into the world of event sales. I ended up as the Event Director for the Knitting Factory, a popular music venue in Hollywood, and had a lot of success there. I ended up staying for 5 years until it closed in 2009. It was during my time there that “The Clique” came to life. The Clique is an event sales networking group that is strategically targeted at those who sell events in a venue (hotel, restaurant, nightclub) and is by invitation only.
In 2008, we went into a recession. The event industry got hit hard, and competition between venues was crazier than ever. Everyone was stressed, venues were desperate, and it just felt…cutthroat. That’s when the idea came to me – what if we could ditch the competition and actually help each other out? There was still a lot of business to go around, and no one should be losing out. The group started as a means to refer business when our respective venues were booked, and in turn, we would receive the same courtesy. That proved to be a successful model.
We saw an opportunity to break down barriers and build connections. Now, 16 years later… we are still going strong and are still the premier networking group for event sales professionals in Los Angeles.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
We live in LA… There are bumps or holes down every road, but once you have hit them a couple of times, you learn how to better navigate them.
We hit a bump from day one. My colleague came to me with the idea of a meetup and sent out an invite. When we arrived at the venue, the door was locked, so I walked down to the restaurant my friend was managing, and he was happy to accommodate us. He brought us some appetizers and toured us through the venue, and the lightbulb came on in my head, and a business model went into action.
It all started with just a handful of us, seven people, meeting up for drinks. But the idea resonated. People were craving connection, not just another stuffy networking event. Building the group was not easy, and I definitely did not do it alone. My colleague, Jennifer Kelly, was instrumental in helping develop the group. She is a natural at making connections and between the two of us, we covered a lot of ground. Word spread, and before we knew it, The Clique had blossomed into this amazing network of nearly 1,000 event professionals across LA. Growing something like this takes teamwork and a lot of nurturing, but together, we built something truly special.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
By day, I’m a corporate event planner, turning company goals and visions into unforgettable experiences. It’s a blast, but it took me a while to realize work is just what I do, not who I am. The Clique, on the other hand, feels like a true reflection of who I am. It started as a way to navigate a tough economic time but blossomed into something incredible – a supportive community filled with kind and caring people. We built friendships, offered support, and celebrated each other’s successes.
What sets us apart from other networking groups is that it doesn’t feel like a networking group. We hear this all the time, and it was designed this way. Forget the awkward nametags and forced conversations! We keep it casual, friendly and focused on building genuine connections. It’s more like a fun party where you meet new people and leave feeling like you belong. We ditch the competition and create a space where everyone wins. What truly sets The Clique apart is the people – it’s about real connections, not just business cards.
The Clique is so much more than just a networking group. Sure, people exchange business cards, but what matters most are the real connections. We built friendships, offered support during tough times, and celebrated each other’s successes. Many members even found their closest friends within the group – I know I did.
What were you like growing up?
I’m an Aries, so I am a natural-born leader and have been since I was a kid. I was sassy. I had a big imagination. I started reading at 3 years old. I was curious and asked a lot of questions. I made friends with everyone, including our mailman, who named his daughter after me. I was a straight-A student, competed in sports, and ran a student leadership organization. I had a job all through high school, paid for my first car, and my first trip out of the country. I guess you can say not much has changed… still very curious, creative, and motivated, but my real passion is for people. Seeing The Clique grow into this supportive network of event professionals is a testament to the power of genuine connection. It’s more than just a business; it’s a passion project, and I look forward to making many more connections.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @theclique.la
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissagoodman/
