Every Founder Has a Network.
How to Turn Existing Relationships Into Real Support for Your Business.
Every founder has a network — even when they’re convinced they don’t. Your network isn’t defined by your follower count, how “connected” you think you are, or the popular names you think define having a network.
It’s the collection of people you already know, interact with, or have crossed paths with professionally or personally. When you identify these connections and use them intentionally, you gain access to clarity, support, and opportunities you didn’t realize you already had.
What did Issa Rae say?
“I’m a huge believer in working with people who are right there with you. A lot of people look at the top and think that’s where the connections are, but I think you grow with the people around you.”
Why This Matters for Founders?
I’ve talked to a lot of creatives and founders during hard seasons — pivots, revenue dips, or moments where the business hits a wall. The first 2 steps in recovering is always the same: ask for help and understand how resourced you already are.
But underneath that is the real skill: knowing how to activate your network.
When founder clients come to me feeling stuck, my first question is:
“Have you talked to anyone in your network?”
Not for handouts — for conversations, insight, perspective, connection.
Half the time, the problem feels bigger than it is because they’re trying to carry it alone.
And the most painful response I hear is:
“I don’t have a network.”
“I can’t tell people what’s going on.”
Both are untrue — and both will slow your business down more than any external problem ever will.
This post will help you:
identify who is actually in your network
understand why you think you don’t have one
learn how to use the network you already have
What Your Network Actually Is?
Your network is simply the collection of people you already have access to. I call this low-hanging fruit. Most founders underestimate how resourced they already are.
Friends
Family
Friends of family
Your partner’s friends, family, and contacts
Current colleagues
People you socialize with
Neighbors (past and present)
Parents of your children’s friends
People you went to school with
People you worked with in the past
Former teachers, mentors, or employers
Members of professional or social organizations
People in your religious or spiritual community
Current or former clients and customers
Service providers you interact with (hairdresser, barista, stylist, mechanic, etc.)
People who consistently engage with you online
Social media contacts and community groups
Industry peers you’ve interacted with even once (DMs count)
People who read your content but rarely comment
Anyone who has ever referred someone to you — even casually
Others To Consider:
Local small business owners
Vendors you work with
Past collaborators or contractors
People you’ve exchanged value with (feedback, ideas, resources)
This is your network.
It already exists — whether you’ve used it or not.
How Founders Can Identify and Activate Their Network.
Step 1: Map Who You Already Know
Write out actual names of every category above. Seeing it on paper changes how “resourced” you feel and makes it real.
Step 2: Start Conversations — Not Requests
You’re not asking for favors. You’re reconnecting, sharing updates, showing curiosity for them.
Ask questions. Share context. Be human.
Step 3: Be Specific About What You’re Navigating
People can’t support you if they don’t understand what’s happening.
“Business is hard right now” is vague.
“I’m exploring X direction and trying to understand Y” is usable.
The more prepared and clear you come to a conversation/meeting, the more people will respect and want to assist in the journey.
Step 4: Follow The Energy
Notice who responds quickly, thoughtfully, or with curiosity.
That’s your active network — the people worth investing back into.
Step 5: Keep The Loop Open and Reciprocate
Networks only die when you go silent.
Update people. Share wins. Share pivots. Stay in motion so there’s always something new to talk about.
Spread opportunities. Listen to their goals and needs and actively consider how you can help, even with just an intro. The more generous you are, the more you’ll attract the clients, help, recommendations you desire.
Trust your Network to Self-Select.
The right people will respond.
Others won’t — and that’s not rejection.
When you share from clarity rather than urgency, your network does the sorting for you. People who resonate will engage, ask questions, or make introductions. People who don’t won’t — and nothing is broken.
This is how networking stays clean.
You’re not lacking a network — you’re under-utilizing the one you already have.
Once you redefine what a network actually is and start having real conversations, your access to support expands immediately. The people who can help you already exist in your orbit. Your job is to activate them with intention.
Understanding and fixing what’s causing you to under-utilize your network (or seeing progress in your business in other ways) is where Brand Therapy becomes useful.
If you want clarity and a plan tailored to your brand, business, and how you operate — and why you feel stuck OR how to start with a clean foundation — that’s the work we do.
