The Power of Networking: How it Can Build a Business
Networking is something I never thought I was good at. I just liked meeting people and listening to their journey. Looking back now, I have realized that the skill of just getting to know people, was what got my company where it is today. Networking can be a powerful tool and it doesn't have to be a chore either. The key however, is to cultivate your relationships just as you would in your personal life.
When I started my career, I was really upset because I came from not having a network at all. I didn't go to a big 10 school, my parents were not well connected in my field and my family was not from here. I used that as an excuse for so long for why I couldn't create opportunity, but I was wrong. If you don't have a network, you can start building one at any point. Social media really was key in me figuring this out myself. If I thought someone was doing something interesting, I just sent them a DM or cold email. I was scared doing this before -- but the worst that can happen is that they won't respond or they'll say no! During my banking career, I got a ton of interviews because of just cold emails..
Once I started this practice, I continued to do it as I built my company. Then the main priority was maintaining those relationships. I am not the kind of person who just will have one conversation and forget about the person entirely. I will follow up, I will reach out on milestones and holidays and I will make it a point to really get to know the person. Just ask my friends and family! After all -- for us if we work with you, we want to get to know you.
This was a little bit daunting at first but once I got into the habit of doing this, it just became second nature. The more conversations I was having, the more connections were being made and it just became second nature. So below here are my tips if you feel like you have no network!
Start with your college or school and Linkedin - I am sure you'll find people in your field within the college alumni space. I did when I started to look and realized my school was not as small as I thought.
Reach out to local networking groups / seek out events in your area. I found these through googling and facebook groups
Join paid organizations that are local or nationally ranked in your field, these help you make connections nationally or internationally. Some of these will have membership dues, an application process,
Go on social media, DM people on IG, set up coffee chats!
When you are traveling - make it a point to reach out to any connections you have or new connections you want asking them to meet up. I literally make it a point that every trip I am on, I reach out to new people. Between all the travel I have done this year, it was so fun to make new connections along the way!
Here are some groups that I am a part of that have been super helpful in my career journey:
Neythri - South Asian Women Leaders organization for young leaders and senior leadership
SALUTE - South Asian Women's organization
Slashie Connects - For side-hustlers in the creative space
Hue - for people of color
I cannot emphasize the importance of cultivating your relationships. Having a connection isn't just meeting someone - there’s dozens of exchanges, follow ups and pleasantries involved in a networking connection. I will say, networking truly has single handedly been one of the biggest factors that has grown my company.