Build Relationships.

A few weeks ago, I invited some friends to visit our networking group. Despite my enthusiasm, I was met with a plethora of excuses for why they couldn't attend. I heard everything from "I don't want to stand up in front of people and talk about my business," to "I don't have time to build relationships; I just want to get the sales."

It’s disheartening when you tell someone, “I have a group of people who have business for you. All you need to do is show up, build relationships, and they will send business your way,” only to be met with reluctance and skepticism.

One particularly memorable incident stands out. We recently experienced a series of storms in the area, and those same individuals who dismissed the value of our networking group began reaching out. They wanted me to refer them to my neighbors, friends, and the very people in those groups they had previously disregarded.

The irony is palpable. When they claimed they didn't need to be part of the group, they overlooked the primary benefit: referrals. Now, they expect those connections without having invested the time or effort.

Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. I’m not going to recommend them to my neighbors. Instead, I refer business to those who have joined our community, invested their time and money, and built genuine connections with me. These individuals were there when times were tough, and now, when opportunities arise, they reap the rewards.

It’s a simple principle: those who invest in building relationships and being part of a community will always have an advantage when the tide turns.