The Room Eastside Business Owners Keep Showing Up For: Eastside Buiness Alliance

The Room Eastside Business Owners Keep Showing Up For: Eastside Buiness Alliance

Creating your own room is a task that requires more than just dedication. It means being the touchpoint that thousands of people trust, admire, and show up for. That is exactly what Joshua has done on the Eastside. After seeing a need for more authentic business relationships among business owners outside of Seattle, he took that opportunity.

The Genesis of EBA:
EBA started four years ago out of Joshua's simple need to deepen his personal network. After exploring established groups, he identified a gap for an organization with a mission beyond facilitated meetings.

Key milestones include:

• Founded to foster authentic connection rather than just rigid facilitation.

• Hosts an average of 25–30 professionals weekly (formerly Eastside Business Network).

• Focuses on building meaningful relationships that result in increased revenue through wider referral networks.

Creating a Culture of Connection:

The vision has evolved from weekly referral meetings with dedicated seats to quarterly mixer events that draw significant local sponsorship, such as STK Bellevue. At these events, where an average of 150 people show up, there is a sense of genuine welcome. EBA has fostered a warm, family-like culture that permeates all gatherings. It is an environment that feels intentional, polished, and distinctly different from a typical networking event. Guests can build meaningful business relationships in an environment that is both elegant and lively, making the experience feel more like a night out than another obligation on the calendar.

The EBA Ecosystem:
What began as a referral group has matured into a premier professional ecosystem. The consistency of its programming provides various touchpoints for its 2,000+ members:

• Weekly meetings for depth, quarterly happy hours for reach, and annual events for celebration.

• A bridge for local entrepreneurs and community leaders to achieve deep visibility.

• Expansion of membership perks by end of 2026, offering practical advice and hands-on help for business growth.

Addressing the Regional Need:
The need for connection is especially strong on the Eastside, where the business community can feel spread out across Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Woodinville, and Bothell. EBA brings these distinct communities together, providing a platform for professionals to meet in the real world. It gives business owners a consistent place to build relationships, stay connected to local happenings, and grow beyond their immediate circle to become part of a unified regional community.

Get Involved:
To get involved, connect with Joshua through the weekly EBA Meetup Group every Thursday at 12 PM at Moss Bay Hall, add the quarterly Happy Hour events at STK to your calendar, and be on the lookout for new things to come from EBA soon!