Daven Michaels is a New York Times bestselling author and 30-year CEO. He’s also the founder of the San Juan Social Club, connecting expats in Puerto Rico together with locals for food, conversation, and networking.

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Guest Resources

San Juan Social – Check out Daven’s website and click “Cruise” to learn more.

Daven Michaels Instagram – Connect with Daven on Instagram.

3 Value Bombs

1. Your relationships are your real net worth, invest in meaningful connections built on trust and shared experiences.

2. Give value first, build a supportive community, and monetize through partnerships and sponsorships.

3. Go beyond collecting contacts, invest time in shared experiences to build deeper relationships and unlock opportunities.

Show Notes

**Click the time stamp to jump directly to that point in the episode.

Today’s Audio MASTERCLASS: Why Going Deeper in Networking Creates More Fun and More Money

[1:38] — Daven shares something he believes becoming successful that most people disagree with.

Passion doesn’t always have to come first; sometimes you need to pursue a promising opportunity before discovering what you truly love.
Many people are passionate about things that don’t generate income, so focus on solving real problems and building valuable skills.
Passion can grow as you gain competence, confidence, and enjoyment in your work.

[4:06] — Daven talks about how he built Puerto Rico’s entrepreneur and investor community and what actually turned those relationships into such a valuable network that he has today.

He moved to Puerto Rico after hearing JLD discuss it on a podcast.
He initially launched the Palmas Cigar Club, hosting monthly gatherings that started with just five people.
As the community grew, he expanded the concept into the San Juan Social Club, with a mission to bring expats and locals together for food, conversation, and networking.
The club grew into one of Puerto Rico’s largest associations of entrepreneurs, executives, and investors, with more than 10,000 members at the time of the interview.

[7:19] — Daven tells why most people network too shallowly, and what should entrepreneurs actually do instead to build deeper, more meaningful relationships.

Networking is about much more than exchanging contact information; relationships are the foundation of business.
Time and proximity help deepen relationships and create opportunities.
Move from Zoom calls to shared meals, retreats, masterminds, and other experiences that allow you to understand someone’s needs and challenges.
Stronger connections reveal opportunities for collaboration that superficial networking often misses.

[10:13] – A timeout to thank our sponsors.

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[13:21] — Daven talks about how the San Juan Social Club create genuine friendships and business opportunities without making networking feel transactional.

He built the club as a passion project to bring people together, rather than starting with a monetization strategy.
The club focused on free monthly events, meaningful experiences, and consistently delivering value to its members.
As the community grew, members began inviting friends and spreading the word organically.
Revenue streams developed through sponsors, advertisers, VIP memberships, a magazine, a podcast, and the club’s cruise.
The model allows the community to continue offering valuable experiences while other businesses help fund them.

[17:16] — JLD tells why entrepreneurs can’t create a social club in their own city, and how a community can create value without charging everyone to participate.

Entrepreneurs can build local communities that bring people together, facilitate connections, and create shared value.
Free, high-quality content and experiences can attract a larger, more loyal audience by removing barriers to participation.
JLD shares how Entrepreneurs on Fire and the Podcasters Paradise Cruise benefited from relationships, free content, and memorable experiences.
The key is to think beyond direct sales and explore other ways to monetize the value you create.

[20:59] — Daven tells story of how the San Juan Social Club cruise come together, and what made it successful.

He explored the idea of hosting a cruise that combined networking, business programming, and travel.
Finding the right itinerary was challenging because the cruise needed time at sea for speakers and programming.
Despite concerns about the cruise line’s financial position and the public risk of a failed event, he decided to move forward.
By the third annual cruise, attendance had grown to 558 people, compared with 238 during the first year.
He reported $110 million in deals between participants, illustrating the potential value of bringing entrepreneurs and investors together for an extended shared experience.
The mix of Puerto Rico-based entrepreneurs and international business leaders creates a powerful exchange of ideas, connections, and opportunities.
Spending a week together helps attendees build deeper friendships, strengthen existing relationships, and do meaningful business.

[25:37] — Daven shares his final takeaway and call to action.

Relationships are the true foundation of business success, often providing support and access to opportunities that money alone cannot buy.
He credits his move to Puerto Rico and the relationships he developed there with significantly increasing his business opportunities and wealth.
The San Juan Social Club brings people together for meaningful connections, enjoyable experiences, and business opportunities.
Listeners from anywhere in the world can join the club’s cruise; they do not need to live in Puerto Rico.
San Juan Social – Check out Daven’s website and click “Cruise” to learn more.
Daven Michaels Instagram – Connect with Daven on Instagram.

[27:24] – Thank you to our Sponsors!

Ruune: An ultra-thin AI note-taking device that attaches to your phone and turns conversations into notes and actionable takeaways. Get 10% off at Ruune.AI/eof!
HighLevel: The ultimate all-in-one platform for entrepreneurs, marketers, coaches, and agencies! Learn more at HighLevelFire.com!

Killer Resources!

1) The Common Path to Uncommon Success: JLD’s 1st traditionally published book! Over 3000 interviews with the world’s most successful Entrepreneurs compiled into a 17-step roadmap to financial freedom and fulfillment!

2) Free Podcast Course: Learn from JLD how to create and launch your podcast!

3) Podcasters’ Paradise: The #1 podcasting community in the world!