Last week, a few of us aspiring entrepreneurs launched our newest networking group called Edge Networking. It was attended by close to 30 people, an impressive feat considering Christmas is just around the corner. The idea for the group came to us during a workshop at Yes Montreal. We realized that attendees didn’t have a way of keeping in touch (aside from plain old email). A few people also remarked on the lack of networking opportunities for the English speaking minority in Montreal.
I mentioned that although French was not a barrier for me (having spent part of my childhood in Montreal), there was a definite need for a networking group catering to people who are not bilingual. A few of us took the lead and the end result was Edge Networking. Though we conduct our events in English, it is by no means restricted to only English speaking members of the community. Our platform has the following goals:
- Networking: This is an important part of being an entrepreneur. The bigger their network, the greater the resources they can tap into when something goes wrong. Many start-ups are so focused on their goals or their day to day operations, they completely forget about expanding their contacts through networking. The rule of thumb I use is to go to at least one networking event every week. Furthermore, I usually research the events beforehand to make sure I’m not about to waste my time (e.g. ‘How to become a millionaire’ workshops).
- Mutual support: Starting a business is definitely the road less taken when it comes to career moves. Often times, it can be a very lonely road where all we have at the end of day is a vision of what we’re trying to create. Having the chance to exchange with other entrepreneurs gets rid of some of this solitude. It also helps to get out of our shells every once in a while to see what the rest of the world is up to.
- Sharing resources: Most start-ups go through similar growing pains (e.g. lack of financing, qualified personnel, sales, etc.). Even if another start-up is not in my industry, they can shed some light on how to tackle my problems. Networking groups are also an excellent source of referrals (e.g. bankers, lawyers, accountants, etc.). Personally, I have never used the Yellow Pages to hire a professional. I always go with a personal endorsement from someone I know.
- Access to professionals: Networking groups for entrepreneurs sometimes forget that to be a successful entrepreneur, you need to have a solid team around you. I read an article not too long ago that one of biggest reasons why many small businesses fail is that they hire professional help too late in the game. Two experts you want immediately on board is a good accountant and a good lawyer. They will give you valuable advice at one of the most critical stages of a business: its start-up. Edge will work to ensure that its events have a good mix of professionals that provide the valuable support services that can often make or break a business.
- Promotion of members: Through our platform, we hope to provide ways for our members to market themselves. A simple example is by creating a member directory with a brief description of what the company does.
Though we are still a new group, I think we gave ourselves a great start with our launch. People were very excited and gave us a lot of good feedback. The challenge going forward will be to keep this momentum going. For those already on the mailing list, you’ll receive an email in the next few weeks about our next event. For those who want to be added to the list, just leave me a comment saying you’re interested. See you at the next event!
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