Let’s be honest. Networking feels fake. And it’s not the idea of meeting people that’s the problem, it’s the way it usually happens. Circling a room, pretending to care about the weather or someone’s favorite hangout spot just to ease into a business conversation. It’s exhausting. Especially if your strength lies in building real connections, not forcing small ones. The good news is, networking doesn’t need to look like that.

You do not have to become the kind of person who “works the room.” You just need a different way to approach it. One that feels natural. One that doesn’t drain your energy or make you question what you’re even doing there. The goal is to find people you actually want to keep talking to. And that doesn’t have to start with small talk.

Some people are just naturally good at working a room. They know exactly what to say, who to say it to and how to make it look effortless. But if you’re the type who would rather leave early than make rounds at a networking event, you’re not alone. A lot of entrepreneurs feel this way. You want to connect, collaborate and grow your network, but the idea of making random small talk or pitching yourself over lukewarm coffee just doesn’t feel real.

You do not have to be extroverted or smooth-talking to be a great networker. You just need a different way in. One that works with how you naturally connect with people, not against it. If you’ve ever walked away from a conversation thinking, “That felt good. I could actually talk to them again,” that’s what we’re aiming for. Something that feels natural, intentional and worth both people’s time.