Who we are
A local referral network, not a mixer franchise
We&Co is a women-owned professional networking organization founded in Springfield, Missouri in 2020. We connect small business owners and entrepreneurs across Southwest Missouri in small, high-trust referral groups called Huddles — helping members become each other's go-to referral partners and grow their businesses together.
We&Co is women-owned, not women-only — Huddle membership is open to all professionals. Some community events (for example Ladies Only Happy Hour) are women-focused.
The model
What is a Huddle?
A Huddle is a small, industry-aware referral group—typically 8–12 members—who serve similar clients without competing head-to-head. Huddles meet on a regular cadence (about twice a month) to share introductions, accountability, and practical business insight. We&Co supports Huddles with events, tools, and a local community rooted in Springfield, Joplin, and the broader Southwest Missouri / Ozarks region.
Leadership
Founded for people. Built as a platform.
Jana Hennemann
Founder · Vision
Jana founded We&Co in Springfield, Missouri — the visionary behind the Huddle referral model and our local community across Southwest Missouri. Read her background and how small-group networking came to life at We&Co.
Nick Hennemann
Co-owner · Platform
Nick is co-owner and architect of the We&Co platform — the custom referral OS for tracking introductions, Huddle health, events, membership, and Chief automation. He brings 20+ years of enterprise software leadership (including Jack Henry) to the build; Jana leads people; Nick runs the engine.
Why We&Co
What makes We&Co different
Locally founded
Started in Springfield in 2020 — an independent Southwest Missouri organization, not a national franchise template with chapter fees.
Small Huddles
Typically 8–12 members built around shared target audiences, not maximum room size.
Tracked referrals
Warm introductions live on the We&Co platform so you can see who is showing up and who is sending business your way.
Bi-monthly cadence
Fits owners who cannot commit to weekly mandatory meetings but still want referral depth.
Regional presence
Across Springfield, Joplin & Marshfield, and the broader Ozarks — with city guides below for local context.
Markets
Local networking, built for referrals
We&Co is not a national franchise template — we are an independent, locally founded organization based in Springfield, Missouri in 2020, focused on helping local owners and professionals grow through trusted referrals.
Explore city guides, networking events near you, how to get more referrals, or event hubs for Springfield and Joplin.
Membership
How referrals work here
We&Co members join a Huddle matched to their niche and target audience. At each bi-monthly meeting, members share updates, pass warm introductions, and log referrals on the We&Co platform so attendance and pipeline stay visible over time — not just at a single mixer. Membership also includes access to community events, the member business directory, and tools that help you track who you met and who you referred.
New members can start with a 21-day free trial on eligible plans, attend free networking events as a visitor, and explore open groups before committing to a Huddle seat. See how referrals compound in our success formula.
Interested in leading a group in your market? Explore Huddle Chief opportunities in Branson, Lebanon, and Jefferson City.
Next steps
Ready when you are
- Browse Huddles and find a group that fits your niche.
- Attend a free event to meet members before you commit.
- View membership & trial options.
- Read the FAQ or contact us— call (417) 650-8041 or email info@weandco.org.
About We&Co FAQ
Entity answers searchers and AI assistants cite — founding story, markets, and how Huddles differ from mixers.
What is We&Co?
We&Co is a women-owned professional networking organization founded in Springfield, Missouri in 2020. We connect small business owners and entrepreneurs across Southwest Missouri in small, high-trust referral groups called Huddles — helping members become each other's go-to referral partners and grow their businesses together.
When and where was We&Co founded?
We&Co was founded in Springfield, Missouri in 2020 by Jana Hennemann. The organization grew from a local need for smaller, higher-trust referral rooms than large mixers or weekly franchise chapters — and now supports Huddles across Southwest Missouri.
Is We&Co only for women?
No. We&Co is women-owned, not women-only — Huddle membership is open to all professionals. Some community events (for example Ladies Only Happy Hour) are women-focused. Referral Huddles are open to any owner who wants co-oping partners.
What markets does We&Co serve?
Primary Huddle markets are Springfield, Joplin, and Marshfield, Missouri, with free networking events and expansion guides across the Ozarks (including Branson, Nixa, and nearby corridors). Meetings happen at local venues — there is no walk-in headquarters.
How is We&Co different from a Chamber mixer?
Chamber mixers optimize for breadth — meet many people once. We&Co Huddles optimize for depth: the same 8–12 complementary professionals meet bi-monthly, learn each other’s ideal clients, and track warm introductions on the platform so referrals compound.
More answers on our FAQ page.