Thanksgiving is one of the best times to network and here’s why:

You can get in touch with people in your network that you’ve been meaning to get in touch with or people you haven’t talked to in a long time. 

When people don’t reach out to someone for a long time, they continue to NOT reach out because they feel like the other person may think they “want something”. Reaching out over Thanksgiving is almost like a free pass to get out of that awkward space of “what if that person I haven’t spoken to in a LONG TIME thinks I’m reaching out to them because I want something”.

Dive into this episode to get a 360 degree view of the people in your network that you could reach out to over Thanksgiving and the different ways you can engage with them.

To book your free 15 minute networking strategy call with Rochelle: https://calendly.com/itsrogroh 

To get in touch with Rochelle:

1. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsrogroh/
2. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RochelleGroh
3. What type of networker are you? Take this quiz now! https://cutclass.mykajabi.com/what-type-of-networking-animal-are-you
4. Free resource to boost your networking: 5 Minute Networking Exercises -> https://cutclass.mykajabi.com/5-minute-networking
5. Ready to take the leap from your 9-5 to start your own biz Not sure? Take the quiz here -> https://cutclass.mykajabi.com/9-5-or-build-your-own-business

Have you ever felt judged because of the way you looked or the type of job you have or because you’re unemployed or a student? Or have you judged others and later felt bad about it?

Getting judged and our judgments of others plays an integral role when you network for your small business.

Sometimes people on the networking circuit often won't take the time to get to know another person because they think they might not add any value to their business and on the other hand, they will make a b-line to someone they think will give them tons of business. In both cases, the results aren’t on par with what they originally thought. 

I don’t know about you, but I’ve sure have fallen victim to my own judgments of others. I’ve met people and then later spent more time with them...and realized they’re actually great people. Not only were they great people, but they added immense value to my business. After finding out how wonderful they are and the value they added to my life and business, it really made me feel terrible for having judged them in the first place. 

This is your friendly reminder that another human being can always teach you something, give you their time, expertise, or lend a helping hand in order to add value to your life and business. Value while it is subjective, it doesn’t always equate to finances. 

Tune into this episode to learn how to avoid writing people off while networking to build your small business. 

To get in touch with Rochelle:

1. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsrogroh/
2. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RochelleGroh
3. What type of networker are you? Take this quiz now! https://cutclass.mykajabi.com/what-type-of-networking-animal-are-you
4. Free resource to boost your networking: 5 Minute Networking Exercises -> https://cutclass.mykajabi.com/5-minute-networking
5. Ready to take the leap from your 9-5 to start your own biz Not sure? Take the quiz here -> https://cutclass.mykajabi.com/9-5-or-build-your-own-business

Creating a business network isn’t centered on generating sales. It’s centered on how you can help the people around you and how well you can create and collaborate with others to leave the world a better place. And that’s what this particular episode is all about: creating, collaborating, and leaving the world just that tiny bit better. 

In this episode, I had the pleasure of collaborating with my friend Alison Qualter, founder of Press Play on Life, a coaching program focused on helping people to live more mindfully and joyfully, and gain clarity in their personal and professional development. 

When you meet Alison, she instantly gives you that good vibe feeling. Her energy is so intoxicating it can withstand the test of time.

Here are some areas where Alison shed’s light:

1. How to add more play into your life. Play is often only reserved for children, but what would happen if you added it back into your life?
2. How your ego can drive you, but your soul will whisper so loudly it can change your entire life course. We often aspire for the big house and fancy car, but what happens if we attain those things and throw it all away? And more importantly, what occurred to make that “throw it all away” action take place?
3. How to believe in your confidence and how it can be used when you’re “stuck”
4. How people can make a conscious choice to make the most out of the 1 life they've been given.

Alison has an awesome philosophy when it comes to business and life. I know what she shares today will not only help you on your networking journey, but whatever you are getting up to in your life. 

To find out more about Alison:

1. Website: https://www.alisonqualter.com
2. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alisonqualter/
3. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-qualter-berna-9a194931/

To get in touch with Rochelle:

1. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsrogroh/
2. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RochelleGroh
3. What type of networker are you? Take this quiz now! https://cutclass.mykajabi.com/what-type-of-networking-animal-are-you
4. Free resource to boost your networking: 5 Minute Networking Exercises -> https://cutclass.mykajabi.com/5-minute-networking
5. Ready to take the leap from your 9-5 to start your own biz Not sure? Take the quiz here -> https://cutclass.mykajabi.com/9-5-or-build-your-own-business

Last week I had planned to record 2 podcasts with guests. I had prepared everything, I did pre-interviews with my guests, did research on each of my guests, wrote introductions for them, and blocked out 3 hours in my day to get the recording and editing complete, but 1 guest didn’t show up and the other had tech issues.

My day didn’t go to plan!

I was a bit disappointed because I was excited to have some guests on the show for some fun and valuable content, but it just didn’t work out.

Have you ever had a day that just didn’t pan out?

When things don’t go to plan, it can lead to big upsets. These upsets can last for minutes, hours, days, and even weeks.

But what if you could choose to set a limit on these upsets? 

If we set a limit on these upsets it’ll keep us committed to what we are meant to do in the world.

If we try to create work, meetings, or ANYTHING from a place of upset, that will bleed over into whatever we’re creating. 

In this episode, I talk about how my day didn’t go to plan and what I chose to do about it.

To get in touch with Rochelle:

1. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsrogroh/
2. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RochelleGroh
3. What type of networker are you? Take this quiz now! https://cutclass.mykajabi.com/what-type-of-networking-animal-are-you
4. Free resource to boost your networking: 5 Minute Networking Exercises -> https://cutclass.mykajabi.com/5-minute-networking
5. Ready to take the leap from your 9-5 to start your own biz Not sure? Take the quiz here -> https://cutclass.mykajabi.com/9-5-or-build-your-own-business

Have you ever joined a Free Business Facebook Group?

Usually, business facebook groups provide you with some free resources to help you in your business. For example, there are groups that are focused specifically on the legal side of a business, there are groups focused specifically on marketing. While others focus on providing you with a broad range of services.

On top of this, some of these Facebook Groups are absolutely GINORMOUS. Meaning, there are thousands and thousands of members. So how the heck do you get seen and not get lost in the online sea of thousands of people?

My guest on today's episode, Nikki Tapley, sheds light on how to show up and stand out in a Facebook Group that has close to 12,000 members!

Nikki is the CEO of The Inspire Network and an all around business powerhouse.

The Inspire Network is a national organisation that aims to empower women to build businesses successfully, within a free Facebook community with around 12,000 members and a separate masterminding, networking and learning-focused paid membership.

Dig into this episode now!

To find out more about Nikki:

1. Website: http://www.theinspirenetwork.co.uk
2. Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theinspirenetworkcommunity
3. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkitapley/

To get in touch with Rochelle:

1. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsrogroh/
2. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RochelleGroh
3. What type of networker are you? Take this quiz now! https://cutclass.mykajabi.com/what-type-of-networking-animal-are-you
4. Free resource to boost your networking: 5 Minute Networking Exercises -> https://cutclass.mykajabi.com/5-minute-networking
5. Ready to take the leap from your 9-5 to start your own biz Not sure? Take the quiz here -> https://cutclass.mykajabi.com/9-5-or-build-your-own-business

If you have a tough time with sales or never had to sell before, but now you’re a small business owner/freelancer/creative/entrepreneur, you're now in sales whether you like it or not. This episode is for you because you’re going to learn how to focus on your value and not so much on selling. 

For more biz tips and resources please visit LetsCutClass.com

On this episode Rochelle talks to ONLE Co-Founder, James West, about his online networking group for people who like, people. James gives us the inside scoop about why he and his partner, Kelly West, started their networking group that now has over 300+ members. 

You can catch ONLE here.

I help small business owners like you, Mine Their Network to generate sales, collaborations ( for example like being on a podcast, partnering on a project, or connecting two people in your network), and most importantly to create a community to support you and your business.

On this episode, Ro talks about 4 challenges that small business owners face when they are looking to grow their business, more specifically, how to make dollah dollah bills through their network, and if these 4 areas are addressed, it’ll move you from a place of worry to a place of abundance in time, finances, and flexibility in your business: 

1. The "if they build it, they will come" fantasy.

2. The anxiety a biz owner feels when it comes to networking or being with others.

3. Not wanting to be "salesy".

4. Not addressing foundational issues in their business.

Dive into this week's episode now!

If you'd like to dive deeper into any of these challenges, email Rochelle at [email protected] and if you want free biz building resources visit letscutclass.com 

Have you ever wondered how companies create a strong sense of community or maybe thought about why it’s so important to have a community within a company or your personal network?

Well...if so...you are about to get your socks rocked by my guest on this episode. Her name is Emily Lakin. 

Emily Lakin is the director of Earnest Agency where she’s privileged to work with an established network of clients and collaborators. 

Emily serves on the founding team of The Space Program San Francisco, and spent over a decade at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts building relationships at the nexus of contemporary art, culture, and social impact.

Emily thrives in the worlds of art and community -- she creates conditions for these two elements to be experienced which allows individuals to see their creative capacity and gain a greater understanding of themselves and the world around them. 

Recently, Fast Company named her client Patreon as one of the top 10 most innovative social media companies of 2021, highlighting Emily's work building and launching a Creator Accelerator program as part of this honor.

On today’s episode, Emily, provides a thought provoking way to look at networking. She challenges us to build networks that not only provide value for us as individuals, but the world at large.

Emily provides some examples of this concept by describing a person that created a neighborhood facebook group and communities that were created by companies like Harley, Air B n B, and Patreon.  

As Emily goes through each of her insights, I want you to think about the power that lies within a Network and ask yourself, is there a sense of community within it, and if there is...what are you doing do with it? And if there isn’t...what can you do to make the shift?

Grab a pen and paper my friend...cause this is a good one! 

-Ro

You can find Emily Lakin below:

1. Instagram: Earnest.Agency

2. Website: Earnest Agency

Have you ever learned how to properly network?

In this episode, Ro goes over her course No Agenda Networking which teaches people, step by step, how to build, contribute, and leverage their network in order to earn more money and move their business forward.

Tune in now!

There have been plenty of times where I have shown up to a dinner or a birthday and everyone seemed to be on point when it came to what to wear, and I showed up...kind of missing the mark.

The worst part about this is: I was the Director of Operations for a fast-fashion company at one point and I HATED having to dress the part...I was always worried my team would think I didn’t dress well. 

I’ve never kept up with fashion trends, which labels are hot, or have celebrity style icon...I guess it’s sort of safe to say I’m a bit challenged in this area. 

Are you the one in your friend group that isn’t fashion forward or show up to an event (networking, work related, or online) missing the mark on what to wear?

If you can relate...I have a very special guest on this episode that you’re going to love.

Her name is Laura Fama.

She’s a creative powerhouse & an expert in the fashion business.

Laura is a modern day visionary, podcast host, mentor, and designer who loves to eat.

After a decade in fashion and starting her career at the age of 22, she founded Cult Street wear brand, Dime Piece. 

Her designs have been seen on Rihanna, Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, Kylie Jenner, Hailey Baldwin, Nicki Minaj and so much more. 

Larua and Elizabeth Garcia, Co-Host the Conscious Kitchen Podcast where they cook up authentic, conscious conversations that feature people from around the globe who are ahead of the game and writing their own rules.

Laura is also a coach and mentor for Her Why and currently lives in Madrid. 

On today’s show Laura shares her top 3 insights on personal styling based on her experience, her background in fashion, and travels around the world

1. Insight 1 - use what you have currently. 
2. Insight 2 - go with your gut feeling and listen to your mood
3. Insight 3 - dress the part, dress up to show up for yourself, and get that boost of confidence. 

As Laura goes through each of her insights, take a look at how you can apply them to your life to make getting ready for your next meeting, gathering, or event so much easier.

Tune in now!

Laura's Contact Info is below!

1. Laura's Insa

2. The Conscious Kitchen Podcast

Research can be used when you are starting a new project in your business or life, but research is especially good to help you find your Ideal Customer.

Before you go out into the networking world you need to understand who your ideal customer is and get very specific on who they are. Once you know who they are, your networking becomes much more focused. 

In this episode, I give you a peak into how research helped create Cutclass, how research helped find my Ideal Customer + how you can find your Ideal Customer too!

If you need some assistance finding your Ideal Customer, book a free 15 min networking strategy call with me and we’ll sort it out! Booking link is here

There are so many things we can do with time: We can kill time or lose time, we can be robbed of our precious time, we can find time.

My guest on today's episode helps you save time; Time, that you can dedicate to another part of your business or life.

Shakila Sadiq is an awesome business owner and a professional Virtual Assistant. She drops some knowledge gems on how to organize your diary to increase your productivity.

Tune in now!

To get in touch with Shakila from SmartPA here:

1. LinkedIN

2. Twitter 

3. Website

On episode 12 I wanted to talk about setting goals for networking because your goals can help you especially when you’re in a transitional period of your life, like changing jobs, moving states, getting married, losing a loved one, or starting a company, and so on. 

Let me give you an example...

Back in 2016 I had quit my corporate job that paid me 6 figures and decided to drive for uber and lyft instead --- it was a pretty bold move on my part and one made my family and friends think, that I was a little crazy, maybe I was. 

But ya know...While at my corporate job...deep down something inside of me knew that staying at my corporate gig wasn’t what I wanted or needed to make me happy. So one day I just made the jump and quit my damn job.

While I was driving people around for 5 star reviews...I also knew that being people’s chauffeur wasn’t going to be my permanent gig either. It was a safe place where I could earn a little dinero  and take some time to figure out my next move.

On this episode I talk about how reaching out to your network can help you get to the next phase in your life. 

-Ro

Do you have certain things you will only talk about at work or at networking events?

You know, like maybe there are some stories you will share at home vs stories you will share at work?

We're not talking about inappropriate conversations...but maybe just stories about your life?

If you are sort of like Ro, she used to compartmentalise her life. Like, she had work life, family life, non-profit life, and friend life.

She always felt a little weird mixing stories from my friend circle with stories at work. 

It’s not like she was up to anything malicious, she just didn’t understand HOW what I was doing in other areas of her life…

If you can relate….you are going to dig this episode!

Ro interview's CiCi Reagan!

CiCi is an absolute rock star. 

She is the founder of Write to Heal. 

 She’s a recovering addict and domestic abuse survivor, and she has been writing since she could hold a pen.

 She still has an Anne of Green Gables journal from when she was 12 years old!

 Writing has been paramount in her healing process and has saved her life many times. 

 She has been sharing her poetry on reaganeyes.com since 2012 in an effort to help others who’ve been through similar experiences to know that they aren’t alone.

She started Write to Heal for this same reason. 

She wanted to build an inclusive community for survivors of addiction and abuse to come together and heal using the power of poetry, just as she has.

On today’s episode CiCi talks about how we can all share our story to connect with others.

When we are out networking or at work, sometimes it can be difficult to talk about certain topics because we don’t know how that may benefit or hinder our relationships. 

Building relationships out in the networking scene or in a work setting doesn’t always have to be all about work stuff. 

Ro specifically choose CiCi and her story because even the stories that we find the MOST difficult or traumatic, make us who we are…

HOWEVER that doesn’t mean, that you have to tell your most secretive stories to strangers or even people close to you, in order to develop a deep and meaningful connection...you don’t have to, but if you are on the other healed or on the other side of some serious stuff that you’ve gone through in your life...don’t discount your life experiences because your story and what you have to share matters to people that aren’t on other side of what you have experienced already. 

So whatever you’ve been through in your life...the good, the bad, the ugly...the great...those experiences mean something. 

Tune in!

Cici's contact info is here:

1. CiCiReagan.com

2. Instagram: @CiCiReagan

3. LinkedIn: CiCi Reagan

4. Facebook Group: Write to Heal - Helping Survivors heals from addiction, abuse, and trauma, through writing.

On this episode Ro talks about the power that lies in reconnecting with old friends or family because oftentimes we think it’s our close friends or family that will provide the most value for our lives. And while that may be true for trusted info and support...it’s not true when it comes to valuable opportunities that you will have in life. 

Whenever Ro was working on a new project or looking for a job...she would only share this information with her close friends or family.

It’s only natural to share this kind of stuff with these people, right? 

After she was done sharing about my project...

She would hop back into her project and engage with the other people that were on that project and then later on in conversation w/ her family and friends, share an update. That’s kind of how it went. She'd work on her projects and share with her close circle or the people working on the project itself. 

So ya know when we are working on projects or looking for a new job role. This is usually how we share and update people on what we're doing.

But the problem with this is: the people in your inner circle or the people working with you directly on a project...usually have access to the same people and same resources as you. So their span of reach isn’t super vast because the overlap in resources and knowledge is pretty big...so the opportunity to find a new job or gain powerful information is small.

So how do we change this? Well, we add in a step of reconnecting with what sociologists call dormant ties. 

Dormant ties are people we used to talk to but for some reason we don’t anymore. Due to career progression, industry changes, or literal moves across the world we just lose touch with these people. Don’t get these people confused w/ those individuals you may have crossed and are super pissed off with you. Cause there is a reason why that friendship broke down, okay! Don’t be trying to rekindle or repair stuff here...there are a whole load of other podcasts to help with that. 

And while your relationship with these people goes dormant your lives don’t. Meaning you both go on to create a whole new cluster  of your life with jobs, friends, family, passions, interests, right? 

Because they aren’t a part of your close circle...the opportunities and knowledge they have access to far outweighs what you would get from your inner circle that has so much overlap in terms of resources and opportunities. 

So when people are looking for a new job, new knowledge for a project, or information...they miss reaching to their dormant ties.

On this episode, Ro gives you some tips on how to reach out to your dormant ties. 

NEGATIVE. We all have a negative solo conversation that gets the best of us at times.

It says things like, "I can't do this" or "I don't know what people will think of me" etc.

What do you do about it? Do you let it take over or do you have a game plan to tackle it?

If you let this convo dominate you, you're gonna dig Ep.9 of the Allergic to Small Talk podcast. I had the honor of interviewing my dear friend, Leah Rosenbaum, of @MyCoachLeah.

Leah came with that 🔥 when it comes to having strategies in place to tackle that solo conversation when it starts to creep in.

Tune in now to Ep. 9

You can reach Leah at:

1. @MyCoachLeah

2. MyCoachLeah.com

We’ve all had those moments when we’ve been invited by a friend to a networking event or group event and once we got there we thought, “Oh dang, this is horrible.”

Maybe the venue is crappy, the food is terrible, or the small talk is extra bad, but maybe the people there are too professional and at the end you get taken to a private room where someone tries to sell you a membership or later that same day they are immediately in your inbox asking if you’ll be back.

Sound familiar? 

I mean...I can’t blame the sales part of networking. After all, networking groups are a business and they can’t survive without new members, but that doesn’t mean that member has to be you.

I like to categorise networking in 2 groups

1. Traditional networking groups
2. Non-traditional networking groups

Traditional
1. Alumni Groups
2. Chamber of Commerce 
3. Referral Groups
4. Industry Specific
5. Non-profit

Non-Traditional
1. Interest Based
2. Social Media
3. Dormant Ties

Which one suits you best? Traditional, Non-Traditional or a blend of both?

Wanna up your networking game?

Join my free master class at: LetsCutClass.com/Join

Please raise your hand if you find dressing or styling yourself easy? If you do, lucky you! 

But if you are anything like me finding clothes to wear that look great and feel great is a challenge. 

The challenge for me lies in the amount of time it takes to find the right outfit, getting discouraged when something doesn’t look good on me, and also getting peeved because I haven’t been able to fit into my pre-pregnancy clothes, yet keeping them thinking, “I will wear them one day again!”

If any of these challenges resonate with you, you’re going to LOVE my guest today. 

Her name is Vanessa Durazo. 

Vanessa is an expert in styling for events, trips, and defining individual styles for clients. She has spent over a decade in the fashion industry working for brands Free People, Marc by Marc Jacobs, and Coach.  She now owns a boutique in Prague called Pacer. 

On this episode she shares 3 tips to help us out:

1. Find the right styles and size for your body
2. Organize your wardrobe
3. Buy quality pieces over quantity

When it comes to building your network, a question that often pops into our heads is: “Ah, what do I wear!”

Vanessa's tips will help combat this question so you can dress your best for your next big Zoom or in person meeting. 

I really enjoyed this episode with Vanessa because she makes getting dressed seem easy and not intimidating like Cher Horowitz’s closet from Clueless.

-Ro

You can find Vanessa at:

1. Website: Pacer
2. Styling for Allergic to Small Talk listeners click here
3. Instagram: Pacer_CZ

When I was 16 years old...

I pulled up for a jump shot at the free throw line and as I jumped *POP* went the weasel AKA my knee. 

I’ll skip the part where I ugly cried like a giant baby while dad cradled me in his arms in front of a packed gymnasium. 

Cut to my Handicap Sign. No for real, I was issued a temporary handicap sign because I couldn’t walk. I realized I needed help with EVERYTHING. 

My friend Harmony would race me down our high school hallways in my wheelchair screaming “Coming Thru!”

Dad washed my laundry, cooked for me, helped me to the bathroom -- he even helped when I wasn’t quite fast enough to make it on time. Sorry for peeing on your foot, Pop!

At some point in our lives we all need some help! Even when it comes to building our network. 

If you’re struggling to keep up the relationships within your network I got a little trick that you’ll enjoy!

On this episode I talk about using a Virtual Assistant to help you build and nurture your network. 

I focus on 4 insights I have picked up while working with VAs to build my network and business:

1. What the hell is a genius zone?
2. Create a checklist before hiring a VA
3. Have examples of the type of work your VA can do
4. Apply the 30x rule for training a VA

Dive in to the episode!

On last week’s episode we talked about networking from a team perspective with Lorna Watkinson.

If you missed episode 4 you need to give it a listen!

Lorna busted 3 myths:

1. Networking is for the individual.

2. Networking is only for sales teams.

3. A team must network evenly for it to be fair. 

On this week's episode we break down each team member.

On a team, whether it’s a work team, a sports team, or in a family. Each person on the team has their individual roles and strengths.

When we know one another's roles it is easier to know who’s great at specific projects and tasks to accelerate the entirety of a team!

When it comes to networking, there are also different types of players or roles.

They usually fall into 1 of 4 categories.

Networkers are either: a Shark, a Penguin, a Bee, or a Lone Wolf.

Rochelle explains each type of networker on this episode!

If you don’t know what type of networker you are, you can take my quiz to find out.

Dive into episode 5 now. You do not want to miss it!

Were you ever a part of a sports team as a kid or in band? 

I dipped my toes in both. You could often catch me running to basketball practice with my saxophone case in tow or showing up to basketball practice in my cheer skirt. 

Don’t be judgy -- I was trying to figure out my interests as a kiddo. Oh, and Cheerleading is A SPORT. Don’t hate on it. 

The common thread between all of my interests was that of a team. 

I didn’t love ALL of my teammates but I respected them and their individual talents that they brought to the table. 

While I didn’t ever make it to the WNBA or even get a college scholarship for my talents, I did learn a lot about the structure of teams.

Meaning, teamwork helps people develop specialised skills, so that the best person for each task can do it better and faster. 

I was never the leading scorer on a team, but I had endurance that would last forever and I could defend anyone. I left the scoring to the All-Star player and they left the defending to me. Win win. 

But how does a team work in a networking situation? Isn’t networking a solo type sport like marathon running or BMX riding?

To help me answer these questions, I've invited my good friend on the show.

Her name is Lorna Watkinson. Lorna is a master team builder, ex Proctor and Gamble gal, and she can make your wildest pottery dreams come true. Her company is called Vibrant Thinking and her mission is to empower teams to transform the workplace. 

She is going to help us bust through 3 Myths about Networking as Team.

1. Networking is for the individual.
2. Networking is only for sales teams.
3. A team must network equally for it to be fair.

She's going to walk us through each myth to identify how networking can be used as a team sport so that you can use them to connect on a deeper level with each of your team members or your teammates. 

As we go through each myth, think about how this can be applied to your situation.

Maybe you manage a team and have asked them to network but they aren’t clear on what to do, and little results have been seen.

Or maybe you are on a team and have been asked to network and feel like this task is a little ambiguous because there is a lack of direction. 

Wherever you are in your journey I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did!

You can find Lorna's deets below:

1. Vibrant-Thinking.com

2. Vibrant Thinking's Facebook Page

3. Vibrant Thinking's Instagram Page

4. Template to cut Zoom meetings in 1/2

5. Lorna's LinkedIn Page

Here is a link to the quiz that was mentioned:

Take the quiz: What is your networking animal type?

Raise your hand if you get tripped up telling people what you do?

Ya know, when someone asks you, “What do you do?” 

Do you stare them like a deer caught in headlights and then mutter out your job title?

Well, I gotta tell ya, you’re not alone. 

This common question is so simple yet a little complex to answer. 

You obviously know what it is that you do, but boiling it down for someone in a quick manner is tougher than it sounds. Right?

What if I told you there are 7 ways you can easily answer the question, “What do you do?” Have I piqued your curiosity?

And here is the cherry on top. 

You don’t have to have some fancy job or worry about your job being SO complex for people to relate and understand what it is that you exactly do.

If you have ever struggled with this question or walked away from a conversation with someone and thought, “Ugh why did I talk about my job like that?”

You’re going to totally dig today’s episode! 

Understanding how to answer “What do you do?” develops your foundation TO network. 

On this podcast, you will often hear me talk a lot about building a solid foundation TO network.

Why? Well, oftentimes my audience wanders off into the world to create connections, but there are just a few missing pieces that come before that step. 

If those pieces are in place, wandering off to create connections becomes a whole lot easier. 

After this episode you will be able to prepare and understand how to answer “What do you do” in 7 different ways.

PLUS these tips will give YOU ideas on how to ask people what THEY do.

As I go through each of these 7 tips (see below) take notes and see how you can apply them to what you do. 

• Highlight a problem you solve.
• Tell a story 
• Teach something about your line of work
• Promote yourself (don’t worry you’ll do this in a classy way)
• Explain what you do in a relatable way
• Come up with a catchy job title
• Talk about something you are passionate about

I can't wait to catch you inside episode 3!

-Ro

Have you ever been through a life transition such as a divorce, bankruptcy, or done a complete 180 with your career?

After these life shifts happen, some people find it easier to just disappear for a while instead of continuing to show up for their network or audience. 

I know because I was one of those people.

Early on in my career I worked at a trash company for 8 years. I guess you can say I was a trashy lady?

During my time there, I got engaged, I became the president of a prominent non-profit, and I got my MBA. 

As my 8 years came to a close, I had broken off my engagement, my term as president came to an end, and I decided to finally ditch my corporate gig to…

Drive for Uber and Lyft 🙃 (← I’ll save this story for another time).

Instead of showing up for the beautiful network I built for myself throughout those 8 years, I decided it was easier to disappear for a while. Why?

I was afraid to face what people may have thought about me.

I was embarrassed about sharing the downfall of my engagement + trying to justify why I had just spent $120K on a private education to collect 5 Star reviews.  

I had it that who I was, was composed of all the things I had achieved and not achieved in life.

Have you ever been through something similar and struggled with this same mindset?

If so, you’re going to LOVE episode 2 of the Allergic to Small Podcast where I interviewed one of my best friend's and now business partner, Leslie Levito. 

She is an expert in re-inventing oneself, business and brand strategy, and making dumplings by hand 🥟.

Leslie talks about 3 takeaways that she picked up through not 1, not 2, but 3 major life transitions, and how she decided to show up 3 times harder.

She shares these powerful insights on life:

• “When your WHY is big enough you’ll do anything”.

• People are standing for your greatness and they want to contribute to you.

• People know who you are sometimes more deeply than you know yourself. 

As she walks us through how she discovered these takeaways I couldn’t help myself from thinking:

“I really wish I had listened to this episode when I was going through my life transitions because I HID from my network”.

I hope you enjoy this episode and find it just as powerful as I did.

Here’s to showing up no matter what! 🥂

Your former trashy lady,

-Ro

You know that horrible dream where you’re being chased by giant spiders or a serial killer in a scary mask, and you try to scream but nothing comes out? 

Ever feel like networking is just like that? 

Not the giant spider/scary mask part, but the silent scream — 

Like you’re fun and can “turn it on” around people you know, and yet…

When you stand in front of people you don’t know, nothing really comes out? 

Instead, the words are as dry as those dead flowers from last Valentines Day.

The bummer is that for many people, especially those just starting out, the fear of thinking about networking is enough to stay stuck in decision paralysis. 

You know those decisions I’m talking about...it’s that little voice that says: 

“Where do I start?”

“Where do I go?”

“When I get there, what the heck do I talk about?” or 

“Are people going to like me?”

In this episode, I talk about 7 tips to end your networking nightmare. 

These tips will help move you from “oh, no...I really have to attend this meeting, holy cow” to “okay, I can see myself attending (insert said event) with no strings attached”. 

These 7 tips helped me survive my first year in England + sign my first $20,000 contract!

Oftentimes, when people venture off into networking, it can resemble the “I don’t have any friends” type feeling. 

Needless to say, I started my networking from scratch in a new country and new culture. 

So I totally get how it feels to be an outsider trying to make their way in.

You would think just because America and England are English speaking countries, the transition from one to another would be seamless, right? WRONG. 

So here are my 7 tips to help you as you transition into building fruitful relationships that will last over time.

1. Let go of any preconceived notions about networking.
2. Do not have expectations
3. Give yourself grace and time to learn + time navigate roadblocks
4. Prepare yourself
5. Have goals
6. See what sticks
7. Share stories

I know, wherever you are in your networking journey, they will help you too.