In this episode of our Behind the Community series, we sat down with David Horbenko, Co-Founder of Level Up Social Club and Certified Business Performance Advisor at Insperity, and our own Spencer Lussier, CEO & Co-Founder of Networked, to dive into the messy, rewarding reality of scaling a high-touch network.
While “build the plane while you’re flying it” is common startup advice, Spencer’s perspective is more grounded. Start small, stay consistent, and let your technology be the bridge, not the barrier.
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Watch The Full Conversation
The Power of the “Local Hill”
We often see the 2,000-member community and assume it started with a grand launch. The truth? Level Up Social Club began with seven people on an Outlook invite meeting at a bar. Spencer believes this “local hill” approach is the only way to build lasting authenticity.
“Don’t try to climb Mount Everest on your first climb,” Spencer explains. “Go find your local hill, put your hiking shoes on, and just start small. People want authenticity online. They want to get away from all the noise and the distractions.”
Scaling Never Gets Easier, It Just Changes
One of the most candid moments of the conversation centered on the brutal truth of growth. As a founder, Spencer realized early on that “problems” aren’t obstacles to the workโthey are the work.
Whether it’s a product feature delay or a breaking piece of infrastructure, Spencer argues that your mindset dictates your burnout. If you expect the challenges that come with jumping from 100 to 10,000 users, you can lead your team with a “contagious energy” rather than a sense of crisis.
Curation is the Ultimate Business Cheat Code
In the age of AI and digital fatigue, Spencer highlights that the most valuable thing a community leader can offer is curated trust.
Using the example of a niche “Beer League Hockey” group text, he points out that a single referral within a trusted cohort carries more weight than hours of Google research. Networked was built to digitize that “bridge of trust,” enabling leaders like David to wrap events, newsletters, and member directories into a single, seamless experience.
Why Community Wins in an AI World
While AI can optimize efficiency, it cannot replace the human need to get together and trade business, ideas, and “nuggets of gold.” Spencer’s vision for the future of Networked is clear: providing the enabling technology that allows these organic, high-trust relationships to thrive at scale across the country.
Watch the full conversation to hear Spencer Lussier and David Horbenko discuss the importance of funding, why feedback is your best friend, and how to turn a simple networking event into a scalable tech-enabled business.
Discover how Level Up Social Club is bringing people together through monthly networking events to trade business, build authentic relationships, and have a little fun in the process by visiting their community here.
