Networking: Why Showing Up Still Matters for Your Business
I used to hate networking.
The nametags. The small talk. The forced “So what do you do?” conversations.
From time to time, I have to give myself a little pep talk before walking into a room full of strangers. But over the months and months of making myself do it, I’m now at peace with it.
Working from home, networking gets me out of the house and around other humans. It reminds me to listen with curiosity, to keep an open heart, and notice where I might be able to help someone else.
I’m a connector by nature. I love introducing good people to each other.
When I walk into a networking event, I remind myself of one thing: I don’t need to prove anything. I just need to show up and be myself. If we end up doing business together, great. If not, maybe I can connect them to someone who can help. It’s all about karma, baby!
And courage. It definitely takes courage. I like what Brené Brown says, “Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.”
Visibility doesn’t have to mean spending your life on social media. Showing up in real communities and building relationships still works.
If you’re looking for networking events in North County San Diego, there are more options than you might realize.
Over the past two+ years, I’ve made it a point to explore a variety of groups across Encinitas, Carlsbad, even out to Escondido, and surrounding communities. Some are casual and social. Others are more structured and referral-driven.
Quick Tips for Successful Networking
Be a Professional: Show up in a timely fashion (I get it, you don’t want to be the first one there! But don’t be the last either!), dress like you give a shit, actively listen, respond thoughtfully, treat others with courtesy and respect, and have integrity.
Carry Business Cards: Always have business cards with you. This may be a controversial opinion, but I prefer physical cards over electronic ones because they leave a lasting impression. If I meet you and you send me your electronic card, it’s an email, and unless there’s a significant reason to be in touch, I won't add you to my "save" system. In fact, it’s an extra step for me. Don’t make me work so hard to remember you.
Honor Your Time and Energy: Treat networking events like business meetings. Be punctual, focused, and efficient. I’m in and out, maximizing my time and interactions. Sometimes I am more talkative than at other times, and that’s okay. However, I always make sure to connect with at least one person, and I pat myself on my back if I manage to connect with more than two.
Know Your Elevator Pitch: Practice what you’re going to say when someone inevitably asks you, “So, what do you do?” or “Why are you here?” Practice in the car out loud on the way to the event. Find your words. And continually refine it. You’ll see how people either move on to the next person (which sometimes happens) or engage with you. Work on making your elevator pitch about them. How would someone across from you engage with your product or service? What circumstances would have them hire you or buy from you?
Make It a Priority
One of my earlier coaches was delightful and skillfully pushy (in the most loving way!) Lauren Paige, challenged me (and most of her clients) to attend two networking events per week. I know, right? It sounds scary and exhausting.
But I can do hard things. Yes, I can. (Enter my self-pep talk here.)
Really, it’s like taking your vitamins. You know it’s for your long-term health, but sometimes you choke those capsules down. It’s what Herminia Ibarra, a former Harvard Business School professor and leading thinker on leadership, tells us, “Networking is a lot like nutrition and fitness: we know what to do, the hard part is making it a top priority."
So just do it. It’s for the long-term health of your business.
At the end of the month, I spend about an hour researching and tentatively planning out the next month. It’s as simple as Googling: “networking events near me.”
Then again, every Sunday, I review my week. Do I have my two? Is there anything that I can add that I can fit in among my exercise classes or social calendar? Sometimes, I have to ask myself, “What’s more important to me this week: my de-stressing exercise class, time with friends or family (is that time refueling or draining?), or putting energy into my business?” I get to choose, but I make a conscious decision about whether I’m going to hit my two that week.
Finding the Right Networking Communities
I look for regular networking communities to build relationships. My requirements are within 15 miles of home (a 30-minute drive). There shouldn’t be any requirement to recruit others, and there should be something to eat or drink (which helps with the small talk). Additionally, I prefer environments that aren’t “dude” or “bro ham” heavy. I’m interested in inclusive and supportive communities.
My Favorite North County San Diego Networking Organizations
If you're looking for networking events in North County San Diego, here are a few communities I’ve found worth showing up for. I’ve even become a member of a few!
Cafecito & My San Diego North County
There are monthly events in Escondido, Carlsbad, Vista, San Marcos, and Oceanside. Morning coffee networking and a WineStop event at Orfila Vineyard once a month. This is always a great group of small business owners. David Zumaya, the founder, is dedicated to small business owners and has his heart in the right place. Reasonable membership. See the Cafecito Calendar of Events.
North County Women in Networking (NCWIN)
North County Women in Networking is a lovely group of women. They meet monthly at the Shadowridge Golf Club in a luncheon format, 11:30-2:00, featuring a 20-minute presentation by a guest speaker. It is a great way to connect with people at your table and provides some opportunities to mingle with those at other tables. I felt very welcome here. The membership is very reasonable.
Encinitas Chamber of Commerce
As I was walking to the most recent Moonlight Mixer, I mentioned that I was a newbie. The man I was strolling in with said, “This is the place to be! You’re welcome here. I’m sure you’ll enjoy this.” He was right. Everyone was really friendly, and the mixer's format was great. They also host a number of other networking events throughout the month. Membership is incredibly reasonable as well. See their Events.
Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce
I recently attended a First Friday networking event with the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce to support a friend who was presenting. The event was impressive — much larger than I expected — and it drew a diverse mix of professionals, including representatives from some major regional and national brands.
The table I joined was welcoming, and I even had an inquiry about my work, which was a nice surprise. While the Chamber’s events seem especially well-suited for those looking to connect with larger companies or corporate professionals, it might not be the right fit if your focus (like mine) is on small businesses and entrepreneurs. Still, if your target audience includes established organizations, the Carlsbad Chamber could be a fantastic place to start. See Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce Events.
Wine, Women, and Wealth
Wine, Women, and Wealth is a nationwide organization that combines wine and financial education, both of which I am happy to consume (in moderation, of course). The group meets in Encinitas at Total Wine & More on the first Tuesday of every month and is very welcoming. The last time, it went longer than I anticipated, so be sure to reserve two hours in your calendar.
Locally Well
Locally Well is a fantastic list of curated news, events, and articles about health and wellness in San Diego. They host a free monthly North County networking meetup for health, wellness, and fitness professionals in San Diego who are looking to expand their referral networks. They also welcome service providers to that community. It’s typically held at Seaside Center for Spiritual Living in Encinitas from 12:30 - 2:00 on the first Tuesday of the month. I’ve met a lot of great people in this network. See North County Wellness Networking Meetup
Good Ol’ Gals (GOGs)
Good Ol’ Gals is not your typical networking event — not even close. There are two local chapters: San Diego (third Wednesday) and Carlsbad (fourth Friday at Miguel’s off Palomar Airport Road).
Expect high energy: pumped-up music, a fun photo backdrop, and a little call-and-response from the crowd. It’s lively, welcoming, and refreshingly different from traditional networking events. It’s an all-women group, and the vibe is warm, supportive, and genuinely inclusive.
You pay for your own lunch, but there are no membership dues. If you enjoy a little levity with your networking, this group is a blast.
North Coast Networking Group
This group meets at Beach Plum Kitchen in Carlsbad and runs on a very structured format.
Meetings are held on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Thursdays at 7:10 am, and a Happy Hour on the 4th Thursday. Members track referral income and are encouraged to bring guests regularly. Attendance is expected at least three times per month, so there’s a strong sense of commitment within the group. The atmosphere is more traditional and transactional than the communities I tend to prefer, and the room skews a bit more male-heavy. That said, the group was welcoming when I visited, and it’s clear that professionalism and referrals are taken seriously. If you’re looking for a structured group with accountability around referrals, this could be a strong fit.
Networking isn’t a one-and-done activity. The real magic happens when you show up consistently — month after month — and engage with the community. That’s how people start to remember you. They begin to know, like, and trust you.
After you’ve attended four, five, or six times, something interesting happens: walking into the room gets easier. The faces become familiar. Conversations pick up where they left off. Relationships start forming naturally.
Networking is one of the few marketing activities that rewards consistency. It’s the opposite of the random acts of marketing so many businesses fall into.
The goal isn’t to attend every networking event in town. It’s to find three or four groups where “your people” are, and keep showing up.
That’s when networking stops feeling awkward and starts feeling like a community.
Invitation
If you have other great networking experiences in North County San Diego that you’d like to contribute to the list, please share them! I’d love to hear about other valuable networking opportunities.
Curious where I’ll be networking next? Just reach out! I’m always happy to share, and honestly, having a familiar face in the room makes every event a little better.
Let’s connect and grow our networks together!