Business Networking Built on
Relationships & Trust
LeTip of Howard County was founded in April 1994 to provide professionals with a structured, relationship-driven approach to successfully grow their businesses. From the beginning, we built our chapter on a simple but powerful idea: Business grows best through trust, not transactions.
Trust is earned, not expected.
Relationships come before referrals.
Business is built through confidence, not pressure.
Built on Trust: On Chapter’s Core Principles
Business growth has always been driven by genuine human connection. Long before digital marketing became the norm, the chapter expanded through personal interactions, word-of-mouth referrals, and trust built face-to-face. That same philosophy remains at the heart of how members connect and succeed today.
More than just a networking group, LeTip of Howard County is a community. Members benefit not only from business growth, but from meaningful relationships, ongoing support, and connections that often last a lifetime.
“Early members of our chapter understood that lasting success isn’t built on quick wins, but on strong, reliable relationships. They established values that continue to shape the chapter today: trust must be earned, relationships take priority over referrals, and business grows through confidence—not pressure.”
Founder’s Message
From Brian Jolles, founding member of LeTip of Howard County
When we started LeTip of Howard County in 1994, there wasn’t anything like it here. There were organizations where you could meet people, but nothing that truly focused on building business through real relationships.
What drew me in wasn’t just the idea of referrals. It was the potential. I remember thinking, if I could sit in a room with a group of professionals I trust—people who are good at what they do and care about doing it right—then that room becomes incredibly valuable.
But early on, I also realized that this only works if it’s built on integrity.
We made a decision as a group that we weren’t going to treat this like a transaction. You don’t walk into a meeting and replace the people you’ve trusted for years just because someone new is in the room. You build trust. You earn the relationship. And when it makes sense, business follows.
Success starts with the right relationships.
LeTip of Howard County brings together local professionals who believe in showing up, supporting one another, and growing together.
Come see how powerful a committed network can be.
This mindset shaped everything.
Over time, I saw firsthand what LeTip could really do. It helped me grow my business, not just through referrals, but through the people in the room. I learned how to think like a business owner, not just someone selling a service. I built partnerships that made my business stronger. Even decisions about my office, my team, and how I operated were influenced by the people I met in LeTip.
But the value goes beyond business.
There were times in my life when I needed support—real support—and this group showed up. Not because they had to, but because that’s who they were. That’s when you realize this isn’t just a networking group. It’s a community.
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is this: when you genuinely care about helping the person in front of you, when you focus on giving them something of value, you’re not just making a referral. You’re giving them something meaningful. And when that happens, everything else takes care of itself.
That’s what LeTip is to me.
It’s not about the number of tips. It’s about the people, the trust, and the relationships that last long after the meeting ends.
