Memphis Woman Magazine, November/December 2007

When you meet Shali Atkinson, her first question is usually “How can I help you?” Many Memphians who need help with their professional or personal needs have come to rely on Shali. She has connections and she’s not afraid to use them.

If you’re looking for a good school for your children, you call Shali. If you have any questions about banking, she’s your gal. No matter what the need, people have found that Shali has the answers. To her it’s not just a job, she’s building relationships and she’s teaching other people how to do it too. She calls it contagious networking.

Shali has lived in Memphis for 26 years. She’s currently working at Regions Bank, but recently started a new business that teaches others how to network.

“Networking is the essential building block to not only business relationships, but also building yourself as a resource or expert,” says Shali. “I really do practice what I preach because with my job I am partnering clients with employees who make solutions happen. I do that in my personal life also. That is exactly what a connector does--connecting to people who make solutions happen.”

Shali has also been the Director of New Business Development at the Memphis Regional Chamber and the Marketing and Events Coordinator for the Memphis Business Journal. Shali’s the Chair of the Crescent Club’s new Women on the Move group, a board member of MPACT Memphis and an advisor for Leadership Memphis’ Welcome Memphis! campaign. In 2007, Memphis Woman Magazine chose her as one of the 50 Women Who Make a Difference and in 2006 the Memphis Business Journal named her one of the Top 40 Under 40.

Shali is now sharing her talents with others. She’s teaching business, individuals and non-profits how to network. She’s an expert on local television news programs. She’s even mentoring adults who are trying to get into the workforce through a program at Bridges, Inc.

“Networking successfully helps move a person from one place to another in the business world,” explains Shali. “Just like a firm handshake lets a person know you are confident, so does networking.”

Here are a few of Shali’s simple start-up tips for starting up a networking group.

• Start small with 4-5 people that all need to know each other.
• Tell them to have their business cards ready.
• Tell each person to bring a friend along with the intent of networking.
• Meet at a restaurant that is centrally located.

“Meeting new people is a charge for me,” says Shali. “Being seen and thought of as a resource or the ‘go to’ person sets me apart. That is what I enjoy the most.”

To learn more about Shali’s contagious networking program, contact her at (901) 580.5412 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .