In business, knowing your stuff isn’t always enough. Sometimes, what moves you forward isn’t what you know – it’s who you know.
That’s the heart of networking. It’s not about trading business cards or collecting LinkedIn contacts. It’s about building real relationships. The kind that open doors, share wisdom, offer help, and last longer than one conversation.
For women entrepreneurs, networking carries something deeper. It’s not just about growing your business. It’s about finding your people, building confidence, and creating space in places that weren’t always made for you.
When women connect – across industries, cities, and life stages – something shifts. You share. You support. You step aside to let someone else step up. And in doing that, all move forward.
Like Keith Ferrazzi said,
“The currency of real networking is not greed but generosity.”
And women get that. They’ve been doing it for their whole lives – cheering each other on, even when no one else was.
If you’re looking to build strong, lasting connections, here are 7 smart ways to network with intention and heart.
1. Join women-led business communities—local and global
Start with spaces made for you. There are incredible global networks like Ellevate Network, Lean In Circles, and Women 2.0 – many of which offer virtual access and global events.
But India has its own powerful communities too:
Women Entrepreneurs India (WEI) offers training, support, and funding connections.
eMERG and FIWE run mentoring and business growth programs across cities.
WEP (Women Entrepreneurship Platform) by NITI Aayog brings together resources and success stories from all over the country.
Platforms like SHEROES, Mahila Money, and Avtar Group help women grow businesses, build financial independence, and re-enter the workforce with dignity.
These communities aren’t just about growth. They’re about belonging.
2. Use social media with purpose
You don’t need a massive following. Just a real one.
Post your wins, your lessons, your in-progress stories. Comment on others’ work. Send thoughtful messages.
Platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, and even X can be spaces of discovery and connection – if you use them with intention, not just strategy.
3. Say yes to events – even the intimidating ones
You don’t have to be a speaker to attend a summit. You don’t need a pitch deck to join a panel. Just show up. Be present. Listen in.
Whether it’s a local workshop or an international forum like the Women Economic Forum (WEF) or Global Entrepreneurship Summit, you leave with more than you came in with: ideas, contacts, and new energy.
4. Follow up, and stay in touch
One conversation won’t build a network. But checking in after a month might. Send a kind message. Share something useful. Tag them in something they’d enjoy.
You’re not networking to collect people. You’re building relationships. That takes time. And intention.
5. Be part of advocacy and support groups
Want to shape the system while growing your business? Join groups that push for change.
Organizations like FICCI FLO, WEN India, and Vital Voices work at the intersection of women’s entrepreneurship and policy. They’re not just support groups – they’re spaces where your voice can make a difference.
6. Tap into smaller, niche circles
The best advice often comes in WhatsApp groups, niche forums, or even local Telegram circles. Don’t overlook those tight-knit spaces.
They may not have flashy websites. But they offer honest advice, warm introductions, and zero fluff.
Even regularly attending spa therapies – where the environment is calm and open – can lead to lasting connections. Sometimes, it’s over shared stories in the waiting room or a casual chat during a wellness event. Business bonds don’t always form at conferences. Sometimes, they begin where you least expect.
7. Mentor someone, and ask to be mentored too
You’ve already learned things someone else is just starting to figure out. Share them. At the same time, reach out to someone ahead of you. Ask questions. Learn from their bruises.
Mentorship doesn’t have to be formal. It just has to be real.
In the end, networking is about connection, not perfection. For women in business, real connections matter more than perfect profiles. They’re the difference between building alone and building with backup.
They lead to unexpected opportunities. Honest feedback. A phone call that changes your path.
So don’t network because you’re “supposed to.” Network because someone out there is looking for exactly what you bring. And together, you’ll go further than either of you imagined.