If I’m going to grow my business, I need to start networking.

I don’t really know what that is, but I’ve been along to a few business events with Dad and heard them talking about it, and it sounds wonderful. As much as I love animals, I’m also ALL about people and talking and being social. So I need to get myself out there and network. But how exactly do you network, I wonder?

…okay, I just called Dad and he says that I need to find other businesses that I could see myself working with in the future, and I’m like ‘duh’ because I know exactly what that is now! I need marquees! Like, I need a hook up for a place that does marquee hire for events in Melbourne, because I’m always getting requests to plan outdoor weddings and that often means we need protection from the elements. So I guess I just sidle up to some fine providers of event marquees, give them a nudge and insinuate that we could have a great business relationship. Slip them my card (which reminds me, I need to get cards printed) and boom. Maybe also a fruit basket… but after that, boom! Networking achieved.

Next time I have clients who want an outdoor wedding for their pets, I’ll call my new marquee friends. And next time they have clients in need of a planner or celebrant for a pet’s wedding, they’ll refer them to me. Just like that, business has doubled for both of us. Nay, tripled! And that’s the power of networking… maybe? I don’t know. But I DO know that getting chummy with a marquee company could help us both out a lot, and help to get my name out there. I’ll be the number one choice when people think of outdoor pet weddings, because of my connections to wedding marquees for hire. Melbourne won’t know what hit them, with all these quality outdoor pet weddings going down.

I always knew I had a flair for business.

-Ashleigh