What does this really mean? Simply put, in business your connections reflect your influence – and often determine how far your products or services will reach. That includes our customers. When they buy from us and have a great experience, they become part of our network too, recommending us to friends, family and colleagues.
After a few months away from the business networking scene – and after finally walking away from a toxic day job – I decided it was time to refresh my business plan and commit to getting back out there.
Today I attended my first networking event in months: the GrowBiz Entrepreneurs Meet-Up in the Perthshire town of Auchterarder.
I’ve been supported by GrowBiz since 2019 and have always loved their events. They’re friendly, relaxed and genuinely welcoming. There’s always complimentary food and drinks, and at some of the more spectacular evening events we’ve even been treated to three-course buffets – all at no charge.
So yes, I was excited.
I woke up with a feeling I hadn’t had in a long time: looking forward to the day ahead instead of dreading it. No longer a slave to the day job, I was actually excited about heading north for a morning of connection and opportunity.
I’d done my prep:
• Planned my route on Google Maps
• Checked where the EV charging stations were
• Looked up the parking options
• Packed my book portfolio
• And tucked in my brand new business cards
I was ready to roll.
What I’d forgotten was just how challenging Scottish winter driving can be.
The first problem hit quickly: my screen wash nozzles had frozen. As the windscreen started to get coated in road salt, my despair grew just as fast. I pulled the spray lever – nothing. The wipers simply smeared the salt across the glass, dramatically reducing visibility on a country road where stopping wasn’t really an option.
I eventually pulled over at the first junction and had to make my first strategic decision of the day. I still had 35 minutes to get to the event, but my battery level was just over 50%, giving me around 50 miles of range.
My options:
• Turn back home, grab a bottle of water to clear the windscreen – using more battery and almost certainly arriving late.
• Give up, go home and cancel – and then sit with regret for the rest of the day.
• Carry on, trusting that at the Crook of Devon petrol station I could pick up water en route.
I chose to carry on.
As I drove through the remote Glendevon hills, range anxiety began to creep in. At 50% battery, my Mini had about 50 miles of range, and I wasn’t entirely sure I’d have enough to get back home.
Images of being stranded on the roadside for hours waiting for recovery started to float through my mind. I knew there was a charging station in Auchterarder – but would it be free? Would it be working?
I kept going regardless.
What was really happening, of course, was an inner resistance to change. When we move from the security of employment into the unknown, the mind will often do everything it can to pull us back to the familiar – even if that familiar is painful.
Pain and frustration with a salary can feel safer than freedom and possibility without one.
This is something I’ve often heard Jay Hastings of Serious About Success coaching services talk about – and there I was, living it in real time.
By the time I reached the main road into Auchterarder, my battery was down to 30%. That’s when I hit the next obstacle: the road was closed.
The sign cheerfully announced it would be closed for the next 32 weeks.
Despair made another appearance.
One of the workmen directed me back onto the motorway to follow the diversion signs. Once again, my windscreen had quickly became coated in road salt, so stopping again, I used some Highland Spring water to wash it down. With magical life force of its own, the bottle cap flew off, disappeared under the car, and for a moment I just stood there thinking, Really?
I was wearing my good trousers and didn’t exactly fancy crawling under the car. Fortunately, the cap was just within reach. Small win.
The motorway sign said “Auchterarder 4 miles”. At 30% battery I knew I had at least 20 miles of range – enough to breathe a little easier. Hope started to replace the despair.
When I finally arrived at the public car park, I was already five minutes late for the event. The first few charging stations I tried were either occupied or not working. Despair, again.
Then I saw one last charging station with a green to go light on, I raced to get the parking bay and plugged in. Relief washed over me as the car began to charge.
A bonus: the car park itself was full, but thanks to having an EV, I got a space at the charger. Sometimes the future does have perks.
Now I was ready to network – only 30 minutes late.
Aytoun Hall was just across the street from the charging point. I headed in and was welcomed by a friendly group of fellow entrepreneurs. Within minutes I’d introduced myself, started chatting, and begun learning about their businesses and stories.
I was especially grateful for the tea and biscuits after such a stressful journey – and reassured knowing the car would be fully charged for a relaxed drive home.
I met:
• Mark, who has started his own whisky distillery
• Gill, a Respite Carer
• Angie, a Brand and Marketing freelancer
We agreed on a few important things:
• It’s good to get out of the house and network.
• Hot-desking or working away from home can be refreshing, even if staying at home is cheaper.
• Human contact matters – especially when you can build genuine relationships and potential collaborations.
As the conversations flowed, all my earlier travel stress started to dissolve. It was replaced by a feeling of wholeness – a deep sense that I was exactly where I was meant to be, doing the work I’m meant to do, with the people I’m meant to meet.
Freelancing in media and books gives my life a sense of meaning and purpose that the day job never did.
You don’t get paid for networking, at least not directly.
But it is one of the most powerful ways to market yourself and your business. Once people get to know you, like you and trust you, they’ll share your details with potential customers. They’ll remember you when someone says, “Do you know anyone who…?”
Your network really does become your net worth.
I drove home with a renewed sense of achievement – a feeling I hadn’t experienced in months. The stress of the morning had transformed into connection and momentum.
I’m already looking forward to my next GrowBiz Christmas lunch event.
Is that really “working”?
Of course it is.
Because building relationships, showing up and being seen is at the heart of any successful business – and your network will always be a big part of your net worth.