BUSINESS KLUB Podcast – Sudev Rajah with Steve Gatter
In this episode of the Business Klub podcast, host Sudev Rajah welcomes back Steve Gatter. Steve is no stranger to the show, but this time, he returns with a bold new idea. It’s called Kohort. A system built for depth, not volume. For business owners and professionals who want more than coffee chats and cold leads.
What’s Wrong With Networking Events?
Steve starts with something familiar. You attend a networking event. You meet some people. You hand out business cards. And then nothing happens. That’s the cycle. For a while, Steve followed that same rhythm. But over time, he realized most of these events felt like missed opportunities.
He brings up a core issue. Traditional networking rewards noise. It doesn’t reward depth. Everyone’s trying to pitch. No one’s trying to understand. You end up with contacts but no real connections. That’s what Kohort is designed to fix.
From Transactions to Relationships
Sudev asks where the inspiration came from. Steve credits Seth Godin’s book (Tribes). Godin talks about building communities around shared beliefs. Not shared industries. That shift made a lot of sense. Steve began thinking—what if networking worked that way too?
He began experimenting. He built small groups. Called them Kohorts. Each one was structured, regular and committed. Members didn’t just meet once. They kept showing up. And because of that, things changed. People opened up. Business got personal. And progress followed.
The Structure Behind Every Kohort
Steve explains the architecture. Kohorts meet at regular intervals. Weekly. Bi-weekly. Depends on the group. But consistency is key. At each meeting, members review goals. Share updates. Ask for input. The format isn’t casual, but it isn’t rigid either. It’s structured enough to focus the group. Flexible enough to adapt to the members.
They use a simple framework. Four areas show up often—revenue, operations, marketing and leadership. These are the pain points most business owners face. Talking through them with others who get it makes all the difference.
Small Groups, Big Impact
Size matters here. Kohorts are intentionally small. Usually five to eight people. Enough diversity for perspective. Small enough for trust. That trust builds faster when everyone shows up regularly. There’s no hiding. No drifting in and out.
Steve says the goal isn’t to sell. It’s to solve. Members bring problems. Ideas. Progress. Sometimes, they bring failure. That’s welcome too. The group becomes a sounding board, not a sales floor. And that’s rare.
More Than Just Talk
Sudev presses on results. Steve doesn’t shy away. He shares examples. Members who launched new services after feedback. Owners who restructured pricing based on peer insight. People who’ve built partnerships that wouldn’t exist otherwise.
The value doesn’t end with the meeting. Between sessions, members stay connected. They message. Share resources. Show up for each other. Kohort builds a rhythm of support that extends beyond the schedule.
Why the Model Works
Kohort draws from many sources. Steve studied mastermind groups, peer advisory boards and even book clubs. What worked? Structure, commitment and trust. What didn’t? Oversized groups. Lack of follow-through. People pitching instead of participating.
He used those lessons to shape the current model. Kohort isn’t trying to reinvent business. It’s trying to rebuild connection. That difference in aim changes everything.
Business + Service = Sustainability
Sudev and Steve shift into community impact. Kohort isn’t just a model for business growth. It’s also a tool for service. Many groups support nonprofits. Volunteer together. Sponsor local efforts. That part wasn’t added later. It was part of the design.
Steve believes that business and community should serve each other. When one grows, the other can too. That mindset shows up in how Kohorts engage with their cities. It also shapes who joins. Purpose-driven professionals fit best.
A Personal Take on Growth
Steve talks about the growth plan for Kohort. It’s not about rapid scaling. He doesn’t want a thousand members overnight. He wants steady, thoughtful growth. More cities. More leaders trained to run strong groups. He wants to protect what makes the experience real.
Each new Kohort starts with conversation. Steve or a trained guide listens. Who are you? What are you building? Are you ready to give and not just take? If it’s a yes, then you get invited in.
Advice for Entrepreneurs on the Fence
Toward the end, Sudev asks what advice Steve has for business owners thinking about joining. Steve doesn’t oversell it. He says it’s not for everyone. If you’re looking for fast leads, keep looking. But if you want clarity, connection and momentum, it might be exactly what you need.
He also shares a truth most won’t say. Business is lonely. Especially for leaders. A Kohort can change that. Not by solving everything. But by making sure you don’t face it all alone.
What’s Next for Kohort?
Steve’s vision is grounded. He doesn’t want to build the biggest network. He wants to build the strongest one. The most honest. One that lives in dozens of cities and holds to one standard—show up, give value, stay curious.
New Kohorts are launching. More facilitators are being trained. But everything grows from a single idea: depth over noise. Steve believes that idea is worth spreading.
To hear the full story and decide if Kohort is right for you, watch the complete episode of the Business Klub podcast.
Watch here: Steve Gatter on Business Klub Podcast
