For generations private companies looking for help from lawyers and accountants and marketing experts typically sought out advice and referrals at chamber of commerce mixers and trade show conventions. Then, 24 months ago virtually all such public gatherings were shut down, putting the referral network in limbo.

In stepped Brian Zielinski, president and co-founder of ShapeConnect, an online platform that debuted in March 2020 for business consultants, advisors and services catering to the private-company marketplace. There are 500 of them currently, offering clients with skills in everything from building web sites and filing tax returns to buying advertising and hiring new workers.

Read the full article here.