When people hear the word networking, I think many of us immediately think of referrals, business leads and passing work between one another.
And, of course, referrals are a fantastic part of being in a business network.
But after almost five years as a member of Piran Business Network, I’ve realised that networking can offer something much more valuable — people.
As a massage therapist and the owner of Keheren Therapy, I absolutely love what I do. Helping people feel better, whether that’s physically, mentally or simply giving them some much-needed time to switch off, is incredibly rewarding.
But running a therapy business can also be a lonely game.
When you work for yourself, there isn’t necessarily someone sitting next to you to bounce an idea off. There isn’t a colleague to ask, “What would you do?” when you’re faced with a tricky business decision. You don’t always have someone who understands the challenges that come with being self-employed.
And that’s where Piran has made such a difference to me.
It’s not just about passing business
Over the years, Piran has given me much more than referrals.
It has given me a group of people who understand what it is like to run a business. People from completely different industries and backgrounds, with different experiences and perspectives, who are often able to offer advice, encouragement or simply a listening ear.
Sometimes you need someone to challenge your thinking.
Sometimes you need someone to say, “Go for it.”
Sometimes you just need to know that you’re not the only person who has had that particular business headache!
I’ve found that having people around me who I can talk things through with has helped me make decisions with much more confidence. It has encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone, try new things and think differently about my business.
And those conversations don’t always happen during a formal networking meeting. They happen over a coffee, through a message, or in those little conversations before and after a meeting.
Growing personally as well as professionally
One of the things I didn’t necessarily expect when I joined Piran was how much I would grow personally.
Networking can be daunting, especially when you’re used to working independently. Standing in front of a room and talking about yourself, your business and what you do doesn’t always come naturally.
But the more I have done it, the more confident I have become.
I’ve learned to talk about Keheren Therapy with greater confidence. I’ve learned to listen better, to ask questions and to understand other people’s businesses. I’ve become more comfortable putting myself and my business out there.
And perhaps most importantly, I’ve learned that I don’t have to do everything on my own.
A network is about connection
For me, that’s what networking is really about.
It’s about building genuine relationships.
It’s about getting to know the person behind the business card.
It’s about celebrating each other’s successes, supporting each other through the challenges and learning from people who are on their own business journey.
Of course, I’ve been fortunate to receive referrals through Piran, and I’m incredibly grateful for every person who has trusted me with their wellbeing as a result.
But when I look back over the last five years, the value of Piran can’t be measured purely by the number of referrals I’ve received.
It’s measured in confidence, knowledge, encouragement, friendships and support.
Being part of a network has helped me become a better business owner, but it has also helped me become a more confident person.
And for someone who spends much of their working life helping other people, having a network of people who are there to support me has been incredibly valuable.
So, if you’re a business owner and you’ve ever thought, “Networking isn’t really for me,” I’d encourage you to look at it from a different perspective.
Don’t just ask, “What business can I get from this?”
Ask, “Who could I meet? What could I learn? Who could I help? And who might be there for me when I need a little support?”
Because sometimes the greatest value of networking isn’t the referral that comes through the door.
It’s the people you meet along the way.
And I’m very grateful that, five years on, Piran has become such an important part of my business journey — and of the journey of Keheren Therapy.