The Power of Connection: Why Networking Still Beats Algorithms for Small Business Growth

Time is your most precious resources, especially when you're running a small business. Between client deliverables, sales calls, fumbling around in QuickBooks, and trying to keep up with your own life, networking can easily get overlooked. It is often added to the to-do list as an optional task. Something you'll get to when things slow down.

Most business owners eventually learn that networking isn't an extra. It is leverage.

When you do it intentionally, consistently, and with the right people, networking becomes one of the highest-ROI activities in your business.

You're probably asking...

How does networking help me find better (more aligned) clients?

Marketing alone won't grow your business. People don't just want to see ads or posts, they want to know someone they trust has worked with you and had a great experience. Networking builds those relationships.

When you spend time in the right rooms... industry associations, professional groups, local chambers, mastermind circles, or even curated virtual events... you meet people who can:

• Refer clients to you

• Partner with you

• Introduce you to someone making key decisions

Many of my clients at Kewell Consulting came from people I connected with months or even years earlier.

How does networking help me expand my knowledge?

One of the fastest ways to grow as a business owner is to.... wait for it.....

Talk to other business owners!

Networking gives you access to real-time insight on:

• New tools or tech

• Industry shifts

• Hiring challenges

• Client acquisition challenges

• What's working for others and what isn't

The conversations you have in a room full of peers often teach you more than a $2,000 conference or a 40-hour virtual course.

At times, you don't even realize what you don't know until someone else brings it up. And that's how professional breakthroughs happen.

How does networking help me build my brand?

Brands are built online. With networking, you build a reputation, not just a brand.

When someone meets you they get a sense of your energy, your professionalism, and the way you communicate. These help people remember you. And when an opportunity comes across their desk, your name comes to mind.

The more consistent you are in showing up, the more people begin to associate your name with:

• reliability

• expertise

• integrity

• follow-through

This is especially powerful for industries where trust matters.

How can networking help create a personal support system?

Entrepreneurship is rewarding, but that doesn't mean it can't be lonely at times.

Having a circle of business peers who truly get what you're experiencing is invaluable. You need people who:

• understand the pressure

• cheers for your wins

• can talk through a tough client scenario

• share resources

• celebrate your growth

It's not just about leads. Strong business relationships help you stay motivated, make better decisions, and avoid burnout.

Can networking help me get opportunities if I don't know they exist?

When you network strategically, you put yourself in the path of unexpected opportunities. You open yourself up for:

• collaborations

• speaking invites

• guest podcasts spots

• being featured in someone's newsletter

• partnerships

• introductions to investors or advisors

When people know who you are and what you do, these opportunities come to you. You don't have to chase them.

How do I become more intentional about networking?

Focus on quality over quantity.

You don't need to attend five events every week.

Try:

• two high-quality events per month

• one coffee chat per week

• one follow-up message after every new connection

And most importantly, show up with the mindset of giving, not getting. People remember the person who adds value, not the one who only wants referrals.

Networking beats algorithms for small business growth because business is built on relationships, not algorithms.

If you want your small business to grow, stabilize, and stay resilient, the connections you nurture today could be the opportunities that transform your business tomorrow.

If you're looking for a network built for women founders, use this link to checkout the Entreprenista League and lock in their lifetime member pricing by Dec 4th, 2025. Starting in 2026, membership dues will transition to annual dues.

If you'd like to hear my experience of being a member, feel free to schedule time to chat.