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NO MAN, OR WOMAN, IS AN ISLAND

 
Published Oct. 31, 2008

Anika Maxwell got divorced unexpectedly last year and lost her job. But after three busy years of living in New Tampa, she still hadn't made many friends, which was exactly what she needed to get through the rough time in her life.

"I was dragged down here kicking and screaming," said Maxwell, 36.

Her husband at the time had been offered a job, and the couple moved to New Tampa from Detroit. While she adjusted to her new home and new job in marketing, she got used to New Tampa's slower pace. She even started to like it. That made it easier to "learn to make lemonade," she said, when things got tough.

She searched for a social network but didn't have much luck.

"There are lots of different ones, but they're all business. I did not find anything that had social and business (aspects), or people of color," said Maxwell, who owns Wiz Kids Wear, an educational kids' clothing company she started in 2007.

Trying to connect without a group didn't really work either, Maxwell said.

"I (met) a young lady, exchanged business cards the way I do and did not hear from her," Maxwell said. "I have done that too many times. I got tired of saying, 'I wish I could connect with someone.' I said, 'I'm just going to do it.' "

She came up with the concept for a group called New Tampa Village in February, booked a room for a March meeting and spent a week handing out fliers.

"The purpose of starting the group was to strengthen a sense of community," Maxwell said. "I run into some of the same people at the grocery store and the carwash. It would be nice to feel a greater sense of connection, to regain what you used to get when you talked to your neighbors a lot."

The group is geared toward African-Americans and Caribbean-Americans but is open to all professionals. Guests can connect socially and professionally.

"I just crossed my fingers for the first meeting and hoped I'd get more than five people," she said.

She got about 25. Now, themonthly meetings usually draw 50 to 60 people, who give a $3 donation, chat over refreshments and listen to a guest speaker. They have a chance to share a little about their own work. Then the group mingles again.

"I like the looseness of it," said Tony Mann, 62, who goes to New Tampa Village meetings with his wife. "It's not so tight that you've got to feel structured. It gives you the opportunity to actually meet and greet a couple of times."

In meeting and greeting, Mann, a project manager for Alltech Specialists, made a couple of golf buddies.

And regular attendee LaDonne Bailey plans to start a book club with a few of the friends she has met.

"It is hard to meet people," said Bailey, 52, a Realtor for Weichert. "We're in our cars, we come home, drive right into the garage. You don't have time to just walk up to people and start talking."

Maxwell thinks being part of New Tampa Village is a way to find the time to do it. It's how she finally found a network.

"For business purposes, most business owners know that some of their most loyal business comes from personal interaction," she said.

And for social purposes, she said, the more connections you make, the better.

"You might need someone," she said. "And they might need you."

Arleen Spenceley can be reached at (813) 269-5301 or aspenceley@sptimes.com.

AT A GLANCE

If you go

New Tampa Village will meet from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Pebble Creek Community Center, 18715 Bent Tree Lane. $3. Visit online at www.ntvillage.com.