Picture this: I’m wrangling a toddler, soothing a newborn, and trying to navigate an inbox overflowing with client requests and proposals. Networking? Not happening. Gone were the days of dressing up for big conferences or spending hours at events. My life was a whirlwind, and the thought of adding another thing to my already packed calendar felt impossible.
But here’s the thing—my need for connection didn’t disappear just because I was busy. It wasn’t about finding more time to attend conferences; I realized I just needed to redefine what networking looked like for me as a mom in business.
It Doesn’t Have to Look Perfect
My first “networking” event as a mom in business didn’t take place in a flashy event space or a polished conference hall. It was at a small, cozy coffee shop with six other women, each of us juggling sippy cups, spreadsheets, and the messiness of life.
There were no perfect elevator pitches or structured introductions. We simply shared our experiences—about business, motherhood, and the struggle of trying to juggle it all.
It was raw. It was real. It was exactly what I needed.
The Power of Authentic Connection
Fast forward a bit, and that humble coffee meetup turned into Renegade Motherhood—an amazing community of moms supporting one another in both business and life. Through this group, I learned that networking isn’t about collecting contacts or trying to impress people with how “together” you are. It’s about building relationships with people who truly understand your struggles, celebrate your successes, and help you grow.
For moms in business, effective networking isn’t about fitting into a cookie-cutter model. It’s about finding a community that fits your life and your needs—not trying to squeeze yourself into events or frameworks that don’t serve you.
The Secret Sauce: Real, Authentic Relationships
The secret sauce to successful networking for moms in business is simple: find your people. We don’t need more events or more emails. What we need are real, authentic relationships that grow naturally with people who truly get it. These relationships take time to build, but they’re worth every second.
The best part? You don’t have to have it all figured out to start building these connections. Your experiences, challenges, and victories are enough to start meaningful conversations with people who get it.
Making Networking Work for You
So how do you start? If traditional networking feels overwhelming or out of reach, start small. Reach out to just one mom in business who shares your values and see how you can support each other. If meeting in person isn’t an option, hop on a Zoom call or schedule a quick phone chat. Authentic connections don’t need to be complicated—they just need to be real.
If I’ve learned anything, it’s that the most powerful connections happen when we show up as ourselves, messiness and all. Start where you are.
Final Thoughts
Networking doesn’t have to be a stressful, time-consuming task. For moms in business, it’s about building a support system that helps you thrive in both business and life. So, let go of the idea that networking has to look a certain way and start building relationships that feel authentic and fulfilling.
Remember: it’s not about the number of connections you make—it’s about the quality of the relationships you nurture. Start small, show up authentically, and the right connections will follow.
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