Say "NO" to Awkward Networking with special guest, Ande Lyons Artwork

Small Business Casual

Where small business meets your favorite pair of slippers.

A little quirky, not too buttoned up, one less accessory, ahhh… just right.

Welcome to Small Business Casual, where we focus on designing sustainable, cozy, and thriving businesses tailored to your LIFE. Not the other way around!

From general business and marketing to making sense of the behind-the-scenes chaos, I’m Emily Aborn, your host and Small Business Copywriter!

I’m here to walk alongside you as we make running our businesses less of a roller coaster and more like a scenic train ride (don't forget the snacks!).

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Small Business Casual

Say "NO" to Awkward Networking with special guest, Ande Lyons

November 18, 2025 • Emily Aborn

Text Emily!

Join us in kissing those awkward networking situations goodbye in this special guest episode featuring, Ande Lyons.

In this episode, you'll get anything but cookie-cutter networking advice as Ande helps to reframe networking from schmoozing and dead fish handshakes to spaces of curiosity, connection, and community.

We get into:

Why networking can often feel icky, transactional, boring, and scary
Where traditional networking advice falls flat and misses the mark
Powerful reframes that will help you view a room full of people in a different light
Tips for before, during, and after the event
Practical approaches for various event sizes and introversion levels
Shifting gears from small talk to big talk
How to protect your energy and boundaries, and say no when you need to
And more!

Resources & Links Mentioned

🎙️ New England Podcasters Group

👉🏻 EXTENDED SHOW NOTES

About my Guest, Ande Lyons

At 69 Ande Lyons is a 4x founder, a former global startup mentor, serial podcaster since 2012, founder of the New England Podcasters Group, a monthly in-person event for podcasters, and host of the popular interview-style pro-aging podcast Don’t Be Caged By Your Age, where Ande shatters age-related expectations, helps folks dissolve internalized ageist beliefs, and provides resources, inspiration and ideas so older adults can thrive after 65.

Don't Be Caged By Your Age Podcast

New England Podcasters Group Website

Ande Lyons Instagram | NEPG Instagram | DBCBYA Instagram

Connect with Ande on LinkedIn

Follow her on TikTok

Want to connect and network with ME!?

I’m Emily Aborn, a Small Business Copywriter and host of Small Business Casual. I help small businesses grow with marketing that makes a distinct imprint. I believe that sharing your work goes beyond strategies, frameworks, content for content’s sake, more social media posts, more, more, more.

Successful marketing starts with a big picture approach and begins with genuine connection as you step into becoming (and sharing) the real YOU.

Email: emily@emilyaborn.com
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