I’ve always been the type of person who loves learning about others’ businesses. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about discovering how people are tackling problems, innovating, and working toward success. And because of that, I’ve found that connecting people is one of the most rewarding things I can do.
I’m not in this game to grow my own network or access someone else's rolodex. I'm here to see people succeed—because when one person wins, we all win. The other day at a networking event, I offered to connect someone with another business owner who might be a great B2B partner. To my surprise, they replied, “Let me know if you want to be connected with anyone in my network—happy to return the favor.”
While I really appreciate the gesture, it’s important to note that the best introductions don’t come from a place of reciprocity—they come from recognizing a genuine opportunity for synergy or problem-solving. When I make an introduction, it’s because I believe both parties stand to gain something meaningful, whether it’s a strategic partnership, valuable advice, or even a new client. That’s where the magic happens—not by expecting something in return, but by giving first and giving with intention.
I’ve been to several BNI meetings where they practice the “givers gain” mentality, and I try to live by that. The idea isn’t to constantly keep track of who owes who what, but rather to focus on helping others without the expectation of something in return. You build trust, support, and goodwill in ways that can’t be quantified. And that’s what makes the entrepreneurial ecosystem so powerful.
So, here’s my philosophy: give more than you receive. Connect people because it can help solve a problem or create synergy, not because you expect something in return. If we all start with that mindset, I believe we can work together to build an incredibly vibrant and strong entrepreneurial ecosystem.
When we connect for the right reasons, things just seem to work out. Let’s all do our part to support each other and watch the entrepreneurial community thrive.
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