About Us
YOUR BUSINESS. OUR NETWORK. SHARED GROWTH.
Our Mission
Our Values
- We Support and Connect Authentically
Business is personal. We put relationships first, creating a welcoming, intentional, and connected community where members grow together, celebrate their successes, and lift each other up. In our community, business happens naturally among great people.
- We Collaborate and Take Action
Networking should drive real-world results in both business and life. Through exclusive events, industry collaborations, and mentoring, we help transform conversations into measurable growth. Whatever your goals whether it’s gaining clients, making friends, or accessing guidance — we’re here to support you.
- We Promote Learning, Continuous Improvement and Giving Back
We’re passionate about ongoing improvement and sharing our knowledge, resources, and opportunities. Our community stands for generosity, forward thinking, and making a collective, positive impact — one connection at a time.
Our Story
SBC was founded to redefine business networking by shifting the focus from transactions to trusted relationships.
After years of working in business development, recruitment, real estate, and training, Phil Bedford saw that the most successful professionals were not just experts in their fields but also knew how to build, nurture and leverage strong networks. Michelle France, a dedicated educator and leader, understood the power of community support, collaboration and mentorship.
Together, they launched Strategic Business Connect to help professionals make real connections, access opportunities, and grow personally and professionally through valuable relationships. Today, SBC is a space where business owners, professionals, and entrepreneurs come together to build meaningful partnerships that create long-term success.
Our Vision
To become an essential resource for entrepreneurs who want to grow their business locally and internationally through the power of human connection.
The SBC Team
At SBC, our team is a global community led by dedicated licensees and ambassadors who build supportive local hubs for business owners. Through our community portal and live Zoom networking sessions, these hubs are connected worldwide, giving members the opportunity to form both local and international relationships. Together, we’re creating collaborative spaces where business owners grow and experience the power of being part of something bigger.
Meet Phil & Michelle
Phil Bedford
From washing dishes in a hotel kitchen to becoming a globally recognised authority in networking and relational marketing, Phil Bedford has built a career grounded in resilience, curiosity, and the belief that success is born from genuine human connection. Known worldwide as “The Rebel Networker,” Phil has spent two decades teaching business owners how to grow sustainably—without cold calling, hard selling, or tactics that compromise trust.
His journey has taken him across 11 countries and 3 continents, inspiring thousands through keynote talks, immersive workshops, and specialised consultations. Phil’s style blends humour, relatable storytelling, and practical strategies that audiences can implement immediately to grow their network, referrals, and revenue.
Today, Phil channels this expertise as the co-founder of Strategic Business Connect (SBC), a community where business growth happens through meaningful relationships, not transactional networking. At SBC, Phil empowers business owners to build profitable networks through education, collaboration, and structured relational marketing—transforming the way people connect, communicate, and grow.
Whether motivating a room of entrepreneurs or working closely with a business community, Phil’s mission remains the same: to help people unlock their potential through connection, integrity, and purpose-driven networking.
Michelle France
Born in South Africa, Australian by nationality, and a proud Dubai resident for nearly three decades, Michelle brings a global perspective to every space she leads. With 35 years in education across Dubai and Australia and a Master’s in Educational Leadership and Management, she has shaped young minds, guided school vision, and built a legacy rooted in compassion, wisdom, structure, and community.
Her transition into entrepreneurship came after witnessing first-hand how challenging it can be to move from employment into business ownership. Having experienced the steep gap in mindset, skills, and support, she discovered that the greatest key to growth was a strong community—one that encouraged, guided, and walked the journey alongside her.
Inspired by that experience, she co-founded Strategic Business Connect (SBC), a networking community dedicated to helping business owners grow through meaningful relationships rather than transactional interactions. At SBC, Michelle empowers entrepreneurs through workshops, deep-dive sessions, and curated community experiences that foster learning, accountability, and sustainable business growth. Her leadership is driven by a belief that community is a powerful catalyst for success, especially in today’s fast-changing world.
Alongside her work at SBC, Michelle continues to contribute to the education sector as a BSO inspector and school improvement consultant, committed to quality, impact, and systems that genuinely serve learners. She also speaks passionately on Human-Centered Entrepreneurship: Leading with Empathy and Vision—a keynote exploring how care, collaboration, and community transform modern business. It resonates deeply with entrepreneurs, educators transitioning into enterprise, women in business, and network-driven communities who value doing business with purpose.
Outside of her professional world, Michelle finds joy in simple, soulful experiences. She and her husband love sharing meals around their kitchen table, walking on the beach, reading, weight training, and dancing salsa. A proud aunt and enthusiastic traveller, she delights in discovering new places through food, culture, and authentic human connection.
