As part of my Straight Talk Tuesdays series, I asked the question: When launching your business, is there anything you know about now that you wished you had implemented from the start?
Here are some entrepreneurs’ answers:
“When I first started I greatly underestimated the importance of networking. You can learn so much from your peers–their triumphs as well as their mistakes. I thought I would make my soaps, open my shops, and that it would fly out of there like hotcakes. It took a little while before I achieved that stage. Nowadays, there are all sorts of tools for entrepreneurs to get more exposure for their businesses, pick up tips on how to improve their products, and forums to bring their name to a mass audience. TheSwitchboards.com is a fabulous place to meet many women-owned businesses and connect with buyers. The people on there can answer so many business-related questions based on their own experiences.”
Karina Gallo, Owner, Soap That Makes Scents, @kreatedbykarina
“Build a good network of entrepreneurs who will share information. Join professional groups and attend their meetings. Network every chance you get. Every time you meet with someone to get help for one area of your business, ask that person a couple of questions you might not have planned, even if they have nothing to do with that person’s expertise. Try to get the confidence to ask at least one off-the-wall question of everyone you meet.”
Gretchen Penny, Founder, Easy Expression Products, @GretchenPenny
Networking. It’s essential for the success of your business. I must admit: I’m not a fan. Especially when it requires going into a room full of strangers absolutely cold, milling about the hors d’œuvre table, trying not to get tipsy on the wine since I’ve shown up before having any dinner, then lurking around clusters of conversations before needling (or, heaven forbid, pouncing) into just-that-right moment to smile, shake someone’s hand, introduce myself and stuff my card into the palm of their hand.
Well, I’m not a fan when it’s done that way. Thankfully, I’ve come up with some strategies to help make the networking experience an enjoyable one. More on that in a future article.
For some it comes naturally. For others it’s a detested but essential event that is absolutely critical if you want to take your career or business forward. But with some planning and preparation, you can most certainly make the experience easier on yourself.
But just in case you’re not convinced on how essential networking is…
Consider My Story
About three years out of university, I found myself in a dead-end job as an editor of legal reference publications, listening to my boss deliver my annual review and tell me proudly that she had given me the same salary as someone who had been there nearly 10 years. Looking at my counterpart and being in my mid-twenties, I knew I was doomed and just needed to get the hell out of there.
Thankfully, I had been fostering an excellent connection with one of the senior managers, who took it upon himself to mentor me on all things technology. He taught me how to code HTML from scratch and let me dabble with an intranet site where my coworkers could access some simple reference material. During a time when products were mostly on CD-ROM and hardly anyone had seen – much less knew about – the “World Wide Web”, David transformed my keen interest in technology into a driving passion.
I knew my future would be in a career in producing products online.
I joined an organization for women in technology. After attending their annual Career Day and sitting-in on seminars and sessions, I discovered that I wanted to become a project manager. I remember quite clearly walking home from the session (it was around the corner from my house) in a complete daze and declaring to my now husband that I knew exactly what I was “going to do with my life”.
Only a year later, I found myself addressing the attendees of the next annual Career Day as the organization’s Director of Volunteers (as a volunteer myself) and announcing that I had also found my dream job as a project manager in a interactive agency. Little did I know that four months later I would become the organization’s Executive Director, oversee a volunteer staff of 16 women, serve on advisory boards for schools and other organizations, write for national online magazines, be a guest on a major morning show on CBC Radio, appear on national television programs, and be quoted in newspapers.
I was 26 years old.
How did I do it?
Aside from it being “the Secret” (for all you believers), it was plain and simple networking. While I do owe this accomplishment to my own personal moxie, talent, skills – whatever – a lot of what I was able to accomplish stemmed from who I knew and what people perceived I knew. I made phenomenal connections with like-minded people. I associated myself with high-achievers in an environment where people wanted to help people. I met women who had started their own businesses, who were VPs by the age of 30 and who taught me concepts like branding and marketing which I would never have been exposed to as an editor of legal reference materials.
In case you’re not convinced, I’ll be running a series on why networking is essential for your business, as well as give you some tips on how to make the most of your networking experience.
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