Are you a new entrepreneur or looking to expand your network? Having a strong network can help in opening doors to new opportunities and collaborations, and learning from those who have slayed it in the game. In this blog, we’ll share inspirational stories of entrepreneurs who made it big through networking and provide tips on how you can do the same.

The Power of Networking

Networking is all about building mutually beneficial relationships. It may seem difficult at first, but with persistence and patience, you’ll find that your network will grow over time. The power of networking lies in the connections and opportunities that it creates.

💡 TIP: Attend networking events, join online groups, and connect with like-minded professionals on social media platforms, such as LinkedIn. Make sure to have a clear pitch, be confident, and ask questions to show interest and build a connection.

A handshake between two people wearing business attire

Inspirational Stories of Entrepreneurs Who Slayed the Networking Game

Sara Blakely, Founder of Spanx

Sara Blakely was struggling to get her foot in the door to sell her new invention, Spanx. She found herself knocking on door after door at department stores, with no luck. Finally, she landed a meeting with Ruby Gordon, the hosiery purchaser at Neiman Marcus. Sara made a strong impression by staying focused on the innovative aspects of her product and built a personal connection with Ruby. Neiman Marcus agreed to sell Spanx in their stores, and the rest is history.

👏 LESSON: Persistence, focusing on the value of your product, and building personal connections can land you a big opportunity.

A photo of Sara Blakely in front of a Spanx display

Pat Flynn, Founder of Smart Passive Income

Pat Flynn has built his business around sharing his knowledge and expertise in online business and entrepreneuralism. But, it wasn’t until he started building personal connections that his business really took off. He attended conferences, met people in his industry, and even started a mastermind group to learn from others and exchange ideas. Through these connections, he was able to collaborate on projects, find new clients, and continue to grow his business.

👏 LESSON: Attend conferences, join mastermind groups, and connect with people in your industry to learn from others and create opportunities for collaboration.

A photo of Pat Flynn speaking on stage at a conference

John Lee Dumas, Founder of Entrepreneurs on Fire

John Lee Dumas made it his mission to connect with others in the podcasting and online business community. He started by attending conferences, reaching out to other podcasters, and building relationships through social media. Through lessons learned from his network, he was able to create a successful podcast and generate six-figures in revenue in his first year.

👏 LESSON: Connect with others in your industry, learn from them, and use those lessons to grow your business or product.

A photo of John Lee Dumas in front of a microphone recording a podcast

Conclusion

Networking is essential for building strong relationships and opening up new opportunities for business growth, collaboration and personal growth as well. Use the lessons from the entrepreneurs mentioned above to build your network. Attend networking events, join online groups, leverage social platforms and most importantly, focus on building mutually beneficial relationships.

A collage of business cards, a social media icon and people networking at an event