September2019/Fairlady 21With modern technology and social media at your fingertips,
there are more opportunities to connect than ever before! But it’s
the quality of these ‘connecting moments’ that matters–aDM
might not be quite the same as meeting someone face-to-face at
an event, for example. However,there ’s aplace for everykind of
networking, and, asadigit al-age,moder nentrepreneur,you need
to leverage all of these. Here are some tips for networking, both
online and offline:
Be intentional:Ahead of the event, set goals in terms of who you
want to meet and what you’d like to accomplish.
Ditch the pitch:Youare notperformingasales pitch. Rather do
ashort ‘elevator’ summaryofwhatmakes youroffering special and
why you love it! That enthusiasm and passion will shine through.
Keep in contact:Make it clear why you want to connect and how
it could benefit both of you. Ask them how they would like to keep
in contact–whatkind of communication works for them?
Make use of newfound contacts:Createapodca st or blog where
you interview interesting people you meet at events. Also, invite
them to subscribe to your blog and send them relevant online content.
Bring your offline and online networks together:For example,
if it happens thatasocial media fan (potential client or business
associate) lives in your area, set up an appointment to meet, or
invite them toanetworking event.NETWORKING101
Santam’sinsurance for small businesses understands that
everybusiness is unique and that the risks differ.For more
PHOTOGRAPHS: LIZA information visit http://www.santam.co.za.
VA
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EVENTER, LAYLA GREY PHOTOGRAPHY
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LOCATION: BLOWFISH RESTAURANTSwiitch Beauty encourages their
customers to engage with the brand
and provide suggestions on the
kind of products they’dlike to seein
production. ‘That wayIcan really
tap into the consumers’ feedback.’
In her early days asa‘teen-
trepreneur’, Rabia worked from
asmall area she had cordoned off in
her bedroom. ‘At that pointIwas
mostly researching and keeping
myself updated onnew trends. I
also didamonth-longtour of Japan,
Korea,Taiwan and China, locating
labs and manufacturers there.’
The business started taking off
in 2015, thanks toastrong social
media presence and what she calls
‘a two-way conversation with the
consumer’, and at 16, with her
parents’ support, she decided to
leave school to fully pursue her
business. ‘Everyonein my
family is super enterprising.They
said: “Go for it; we believe in you.”
[That support] is crucial;alot of
young people who have creative
ideas are not given that level of
support from their parents, who
usually go, “Finish school, get
adegree.” Most parents believe
that education equals success.’
But it wasn’talways plain
sailing, the now 19-year-old admits.
As suchayoung entrepreneur,
she sometimes struggled to make
herself heard. ‘It was really difficult
to get people to take me seriously
because of my age.’
But she persevered. Now her
exclusively e-commercerange
includes makeup tools and
products for eyes, face, lips and
skin.With top sellers such as the
#SlaysForDays Palette and highly
pigmented #GlowGasmPalette,
she has developeda77k strong
Instagram following.Acornerstone
of her success is that she ensures
she interacts with her customers
at pop-up events. ‘Oneofthe keygrowth factorsin online
businesses isbridging
the gap betweenonline
and offline experience,’
she says.
Rabia isavocal
advocate forastrong
female presence in the
workspace. ‘Webring
vulnerability into the
workplace, whichIview
asasuperpower.Iseeit
as women almost forc-
ing themselves to bring
that creative edge.’
She has this to say
to any young, budding
entrepreneur: ‘Don’t
ever let your motivation
come from an outside
source. Motivation must
be innate. Make sure
your internal reservoir of
motivation runs deep.’✤Website:
http://www.swiitchbeauty.com
Instagram:
@swiitchbeauty
Facebook:
Swiitch BeautyRabia started
offwithjust two
products, one
of which was
amakeup brush
cleaning device.