Marlene Marco

Marlene Marco has been an entrepreneur throughout her career. She has worked in business networking since 2005. In 2012 she turned that experience into Heart of Networking, a women’s business community in Durham Region built on connection, education and opportunity. She built it around a simple belief: “We are all in this together, let’s help each succeed!”

Her innovation is in how she runs it. Every event has three parts. Members connect, they learn from a fellow member’s expertise, and they leave with real opportunities. Marlene teaches that networking pays off when people give as much as they receive, listen well and follow up. Those relationships turn contacts into ambassadors who refer and champion each other.

She has also shown resilience. When the world moved online, Heart of Networking moved with it. Monthly meetings now run virtually with facilitated breakout sessions, so women can take part from anywhere. The group also offers monthly member workshops, in-person events and an annual small business conference. This October it holds its 14th annual Re-Ignite Small Business Conference. Few small business events last that long.

Marlene leads beyond her own business too. She was named the Ajax Pickering Board of Trade’s 2018 Business Person of the Year. She also chairs 100 Women Who Care Ajax, Pickering, Whitby, a group that pools members’ donations to support local causes. Marlene turned an idea into a business and a community that has opened doors for women business owners for over a decade.

Founded Heart of Networking in 2012. It is still running and growing in Durham Region.

Named the Ajax Pickering Board of Trade’s 2018 Business Person of the Year.
Chairs 100 Women Who Care Ajax, Pickering, Whitby.

Runs monthly Heart of Networking events, member workshops and in-person events. Her events keep their original three-part format (connection, education, opportunity) and offer a free first visit to newcomers.

Moved events online while keeping them engaging, with moderated breakout rooms that members praise in their reviews.

Produces the Re-Ignite Small Business Conference, now in its 14th year.

Connecting entrepreneurs with local charities: Each April, Marlene hosts a volunteerism event. Local charities present their work and explain how business owners can get involved. It gets members’ time and skills to charities that need them, not just their donations.

Giving members a platform: Since 2012, Marlene has made room for business owners to be seen and heard. Members speak at the monthly meetings and lead the workshops. There is a member directory, and she invites guest speakers and trainers to apply. First-time guests attend free. She builds other people’s visibility, not just her own.