I Used to Hate Networking Events- Here’s Why I Still Believe in Them

I used to hate networking events.

Not dislike. Hate.

I was awkward, uncomfortable, and constantly worried I’d run out of things to say. I’d stand there wondering where to put my hands, how long to hold eye contact, and whether I was supposed to jump into conversations or wait to be invited in. The entire thing felt forced and intimidating.

But I kept going anyway.

Not because I loved it, I didn’t, but because I believed networking was important for business and growth. I told myself that if I wanted more for my life, I couldn’t always choose what felt comfortable.

At some point, something shifted.

I realized that everyone in the room was there for the same reason I was: to meet people. No one had it all figured out. No one was perfectly confident. And not everyone was there to sell something. Some people genuinely wanted connection- real conversation with others who were also trying to grow, build, or become more.

That realization changed everything for me.

Even now, I’ll be honest- sometimes I still get nervous before events. I don’t always know what to expect, and that familiar feeling creeps in. But every single time, without fail, I leave energized.

I get in the car to go home and immediately start talking. I tell my husband about the people I met, the conversations that surprised me, the ideas that stuck. I leave feeling lighter, excited, and reminded of why showing up matters.

There’s something about being in a room with other people that simply can’t be replicated online. You can watch videos, join virtual sessions, or scroll social media, but it doesn’t measure up. Real connection happens in person. You feel it in the energy, the laughter, the pauses in conversation, and the moments where someone says something that resonates deeply.

Networking events aren’t just for business owners or speakers. They’re for anyone who wants to grow, personally, professionally, or creatively. They’re for people who are willing to step slightly outside their comfort zone in exchange for clarity, inspiration, and momentum.

When people tell me they hate networking, I get it. Truly. I used to say the same thing. Fear controlled my life for a long time- fear of being awkward, of not fitting in, of not knowing what to say.

But I stopped letting it.

The more I went, the more I realized it was worth it. Not every event is life-changing, but every event teaches you something, about yourself, about people, or about what you want next.

That belief is exactly why I care so deeply about the events I create.

I want to build spaces where people can learn something meaningful, leave inspired, and make at least one genuine connection. Rooms that feel welcoming, intentional, and human, not transactional or overwhelming.

I’ve been in the shoes of the person who didn’t want to be there. And I’ve attended enough events to know what makes someone walk away thinking, “I’m glad I came.”

That’s the experience I want to create- for everyone.