Networking for Bridal Seamstresses: How to Build Vendor Relationships | Brandy Blackford

Do it.

Yeah.

[laughs]

Yeah, I love that because I even see that when we plan our member retreats, and I used to be a middle school teacher, so I feel like I do everything that I can to make conversation easy, to get you immediately in small groups, to have an activity right away, to break the ice.

Like, all of these things that I used for seventh graders, you're still using for 45-year-old women.

Mm-hmm.

Like, things don't really change, you know? We're still the same [laughs] insecure beings.

[laughs]

And then you have to be independent enough to keep the momentum going, you know what I mean?

Mm-hmm.

So then I see some members who, like, they take that, and then they're the ones, like you said, to, "Oh my goodness, let me introduce you to so-and-so.

This is my first time at a retreat.

I feel so nervous.

Oh, my goodness, like, I don't know anybody." And that's what breaks the ice.

And then there's others who it's like they are not advocating for themselves.

And when I say advocate, it means smile at somebody and start a conversation.

[laughs]

Just say hi.

[laughs]

Or like, you don't wanna be the person where conversations go to die.

I've seen this, where somebody has approached somebody else and asked questions, and then they answer the question and then, like, that's where the conversation is over.

And I'm watching, and I'm like, "They are setting you up.

Just ask the same question back." So I know this might kinda sound elementary, but can we literally talk about how to keep conversations going? 'Cause I think for you and I, we could probably talk for hours, and it's like, whew, it would just keep going.

Mm-hmm.

And then for others, it's like, how do you just not have the awkward silence and eating your snacks in silence at these networking things? So my first tip would be if you're asked a question, literally ask the same question back.