Well, I'm a bit excited because my friend that runs the little organics/convenience store is hosting this areas very first "networking event" tomorrow evening after work. It's just a "Business After Hours/Open House" and she's going to have a wine and cheese tasting. I'm excited because my boss has asked me to go to represent MountainMade (the non-profit I work for). I don't have my own MountainMade business cards but I at least had the foresight to ask for some of hers to take with me. Luckily we have some generic ones (with no names) that I'll take instead. First I'm wondering if I should write my name on the back??? The host is hoping that it will become a fairly regular thing hosted by different business owners.

Then I got really excited (for about one second) because I was like, "Wow! This could be really good for me too!" Until I thought about the conflict of interest involved. This one I'm definitely representing MountainMade but even if I wasn't, I still don't think it would be kosher for me to show up to represent my own business when my boss might be there. So that's kind of a bummer. Does anyone have any suggestions for how I could maybe benefit from these events as well. It's really not an issue right now since I don't even have a business name yet but I still wouldn't mind the input. Maybe other "VA part-timers" could benefit from learning how to deal with this type of situation as well.

At any rate, even if I never feel right representing myself at these events (as long as MM is there anyhow), I still think its a benefit to me because I can learn how to network and ease out of my comfort zone a bit. Of course, I'll probably know more than half of the people there anyhow...lol

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Stephanie
New VA in the research phase :daisy:

Seems like it might be hard, but you should stay very low key about your VA biz. But as you say, it's a chance to learn how to network ... And as you represent the MM folks, you can show off your abilities as an indispensible and incredibly knowledgeable business support. Then, when you're ready to launch your biz officially, people will already know you're good at what you do.

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Mary H. Ruth/Virtual Writing & Communications
http://www.writingVA.com

I agree with Mary, you are there for MM not your own business. However, this is a great opportunity for you to showcase your business knowledge. Get cards from all those you meet then when the time comes to launch you have a start of contacts.

It is all about the relationship with others so by putting their business first and getting to know them you have your foot in the door for the future.

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Lee Drozak
My Office Assistant

Definitely step out of your comfort zone and introduce yourself to the people you do not know. Even though you are representing another company, these new contacts may be clients of yours in the future. Get to know as many of them as possible. Good Luck!

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Pam
www.adminetcetera.com

I love these boards. I really appreciate all the different view points and "silver lining" view on things.

I have some business cards ready to go. Now I just need to look at the elevator speech. I've had to explain what I do and what our organization does several times over but I've never practiced a really good to the point elevator speech.

It's this evening so I'll let y'all know how it went tomorrow.

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Stephanie
New VA in the research phase :daisy:

Stephanie, it sounds as if you've got a great attitude no matter who you're representing. I just wanted to say good luck!

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Kate V. Kerans
Kerans Virtual Assistance

Stephanie, I totally hear what you're thinking because I'm going to my first networking event at lunchtime today! I just learned about it yesterday so I've been scrambling to get things together for it - my website isn't even up yet! But it sounds like a valuable opportunity to meet local businesspeople face-to-face, so I just picked up some business cards and I'm putting together my 'elevator speech' now. I'm trying to look at it mostly as a learning experience.

You're certainly in a tricky position tonight - it's hard to be torn in two directions, like that! You want what's best for MM as well as yourself and it can be frustrating when those conflict. But I agree with what the others have said; you're there to represent MM, and I think it will may even make a *poor* impression on the people you meet if you promote yourself while you're supposed to be representing MM. I like the approach that Lee has suggested - impress them now, contact them later!

And you know, like the others have said, the world is small and the people you meet now may impact your life in the future in ways you can't anticipate. I think that if you're putting yourself out there and showing how fantastic you are, it can only lead to something good, even if it ends up happening indirectly.

Good luck! I'll be curious to hear how it goes for you!

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Liz
Blue Canary Design & Virtual Assistance

Thanks, Kate and Liz. Good luck to you too, Liz! I'm sure you'll do great. We can compare stories later

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Stephanie
New VA in the research phase :daisy:

Stephanie,
While I agree, you are there completely to represent MM, keep in mind, that if you are simply as engaging as you sound, then when they ask what do YOU do, you can tell them about your job at MM and then mention your VA busiess. If they inquire more, lucky you. But keep in mind, most will respect your request personal privacy.

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Debbie Elsner, Owner
Personnel Matters, LLC