Vanessa,
Thanks for sharing.
Here is another idea. If you have a Business Journal in your area, or a small business journal they always list local business meetings. I've attended some that I didn't know anything about but learned a lot. I've been able to make some decisions about what businesses I feel comfortable working with; i.e., I'm not interested in working in the medical field. I would to help increase my client base, but am not inclined to learn medical jargon. I went to an RN meeting once and met a lot of nurses. Actually got a job from the friend of an RN I talked with.
So, there are numerous opportunities out there! Also, sometimes there's "free food"!
Carol