Grow Your Network, Grow Your Community, Grow Your Business
In March 2007, I was shown the door by AOL, and by the time September rolled around that year, I had incorporated Power Forward.
In between those two points in time, I had a lot to learn about the local start-up community and what place I might occupy within it. Of course, I did a lot of secondary research, reading everything I could about the start-up community in Halifax and its then-stars. More importantly, I networked non-stop, meeting everyone that would tolerate me and my questions, often over a coffee. I talked to start-up founders, investors, folks that worked for government agencies and I expanded my network. Of course, not every conversation was gold, but I tried to leave those conversations with an introduction to another person or a suggestion for a future meeting I might want to pursue.
I am grateful to all of those people that met with me before Power Forward was even a thing. In part, because of that networking experience in 2007 (and because of the time many other kind people have given me over the years), I try to pay forward, as much as possible, the generosity I was shown by those folks.
When I started down the road of meeting start-up community people in Halifax, I got an early introduction to contacts at NRC-IRAP and ACOA. I remember those first few meetings and how open the folks at these agencies were to my story and to assisting however they could. Helping me, from my perspective, meant learning a little about how the ecosystem worked, perhaps offering me a glimpse into their personal network or just knowing they would answer my call or email the next time I tried. The folks at these agencies did all of these things for me because, I suppose, they wanted to be a part of growing the innovation/start-up community in Nova Scotia. They were also just really decent, helpful people.
Those first few meetings were foundational as my relationships grew with them over time and as I worked with companies that were funded by these agencies. It would be wrong of me to not mention Innovacorp and NSBI, who did then and do now offer excellent support to Nova Scotian companies. I will talk more about the non-dilutive funding support these groups offer in a future blog.
My point is simple, it is always worth it to meet new people and hear new stories. Any one conversation you have as you network has the potential to: advance your goals, open your eyes to new perspectives, or set up new opportunities you were not initially contemplating. Occasionally a conversation allows you to offer your support or talent to someone who needs it.
I would suggest you embrace the opportunity to help others as they network and fortify our community. My bet is you will be glad you answered that email, call or took that coffee meeting. Taking time for one another is one of the ways we keep our community strong.
About Bill
I have been working with start-up leaders and innovators for over 20 years in Halifax, Nova Scotia. I have worked in companies as a mid-level manager, as senior and executive management, as a founder and, on and off for the last 14 years, as an embedded executive and advisor.
If would like to automatically receive this newsletter in your inbox, or if you have questions about how I can help you and your start-up company email me at bill.power(at)powerforward.ca.
