You would think that in a city of 2.7 million people and over 4000 startups, that you would never run into the same people, yet I am beginning to piece together that this BIG city of Chicago is actually really small if you get on the inside. From all the networking events I have been going to, I have started to see the same people at each event. Not everyone is the same, yet there appear to be a group of people who seem to be more popular than others who keep showing up to the same events I am at. Once I realized this trend, I started targeting those people to network with. As such, I would do a quick pitch, answer some questions, get a few business cards, follow up the next day, and then hope for the best.
Long story short, I think I am doing something right. Tonight I was invited to this new angel group’s launch party. This group broke off of another angel group in Chicago and is made up of successful young guys who love to hang out, invest, shoot the shit and have a good time. The group is made up of a unique combination of people all under 40-years old who have been successful in their careers. The group consists of a wide array of professionals who are lawyers, consultants, entrepreneurs and people in insurance. Beyond the invitation to this party, I was pleasantly surprised that almost all the “popular” people I had been seeing and networking with at various events around town were at this invite-only launch party as well.
I spoke to a friend at the event and she said, “keep coming to these types of events and you will start to feel comfortable like you are in the in-crowd.” She is so right and I am already starting to understand that concept and the web of relationships. The other piece of all these people is that they are not just random people, these are top professionals in their respective lines of work. They are the big dogs in Chicago. Even crazier is if you get a few to buy into you then they will help you plainly because that’s their passion.
With all this networking, I am learning the true value of being intentional with conversations. Many people just go to events, eat the food, have a few drinks, talk to a few people and leave. Yet I am learning that there is more to it than just to schmooze a little, it is important to observe how people interact with each other, focus on who is around and their mannerisms, and lastly to keep your intentions clear of why you are there. I am still learning how to make the most of these events, yet I am confident that I have made a few of the right choices to get to where I am and in the community, I want to be in. I am not going to say I am successful yet but I am on my way.
As I have said before and I will say again, with my favorite quote ” you can never connect the dots looking forward, only connect them looking back.”