No Grey Suits
This is a place for people who have escaped corporate to do their own thing, where we'll talk marketing, videos, social media, business, and chat with other business owners about their journeys. It's a bit random, sometimes super practical, sometimes plain old entertainment.
No Grey Suits
Networking Tips with Kirri from Captured by Kirri
Networking IRL can feel intimidating, especially for introverts. But you're not alone in that. I recently chatted with Kirri, the amazing photographer behind Captured by Kirri, who shared her story and some brilliant networking tips.
Kirri shared how she went from introvert to thriving in networking circles. Her secret? Shifting her focus to helping others, not just promoting herself. This mindset makes the whole experience less about 'selling' and more about building genuine connections.
Kirri's advice? Don't start with business cards. Jumping straight to handing them out can feel transactional. Instead, prioritise real conversations—let the cards come naturally after you've made a genuine connection.
We reminisced about how networking groups aren’t just for business—they're great for finding support and building friendships. For solopreneurs or those working from home, this sense of community can be a lifeline.
Kirri’s Top Networking Tips
- Show Up: The hardest part is often walking in the door. Start there. It gets easier with practice.
- Do Your Homework: Check the guest list beforehand and reach out to familiar faces or people you'd like to meet.
- Buddy Up: Bring someone for moral support—it doesn’t have to be a business contact.
- Find Your Vibe: Not all events will suit you. Explore different groups until you find one that clicks.
Like parenting, Kirri says, networking feels scary at first but gets easier with time. Start small—one event, one connection. You'll soon find your rhythm.
For those whose businesses grew during COVID’s virtual boom, face-to-face networking can be a game-changer. Kirri’s advice is simple: prepare, take a breath, and give it a go.
00:00 Introduction to Kirri and Networking
01:16 Kirri's Journey from Introvert to Networking Pro
02:25 Networking Strategies and Pitfalls
03:39 Impact of COVID on Networking
06:41 Technical Issues and Husky Talk
08:52 Top Tips for Small Business Networking
11:10 Choosing the Right Networking Group
17:11 Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up
Links
- Captured by Kirri: https://www.capturedbykirri.com.au/
- Kirri at BNI Networking
A HUGE thank you for listening to No Grey Suits. I really do appreciate you spending some time with me, and hope you got some shiny nuggets of gold, or at least silver out of it.
🦖 Website: https://nogreysuits.com.au
🦩 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nogreysuits
🐧 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/no.grey.suits/
🦭 Grab your free Camera Confidence Guide
So I would like to welcome the amazing Kirri from Captured by Kirri, who I have known for a long, long time, and here I'm going to talk to her about everything in person networking, because when I think networking. I think of Kirri and it's just something that she is inherently good at. So we're here to pick her brains and find out a bit more about her and how she finds networking works for her.
Speaker 2:Always good at it. I started off really badly.
Speaker 4:We're going to have to hear more about that. But firstly, who are you? What do you do?
Speaker 2:So my name is
Speaker 3:Kirri. I'm a photographer. I love photographing women over 40 who have businesses so that I can help capture their personality for their brand to show for their business, but also photographing them with their family so that I can get some beautiful photos that they can cherish forever.
Speaker 4:Awesome. And I've had photos taken by you as well, and you are brilliant. Um, I will always recommend where I can, but straight away, you've Already thrown me off a list of questions. You weren't always good at networking. What happened? I think there's a story there.
Speaker 3:I am inherently a very, very, very strong introvert. Like, I do not like going out of my comfort zone. I don't like going up and talking to people I don't know. I used to be married to the world's biggest extrovert, so if ever we went to a party, it was like holding onto his hand and do not leave me and do not leave my side because I'm terrified to be here on my own. So for me to join a networking group was just so So not me. And people who were there that first, you know, this first couple of meetings that I attended will remember I could not put two words together, but it has completely changed since then. I now love getting up and talking and training other people on how to do it. Because it gives me that opportunity to fulfill my need of wanting to help people. So I think that's the difference. If you can go into it with an attitude of. How can I help others as opposed to what can I get for myself? It just has such a different vibe to it and it makes your intention different. And it, it really does help you come out of your comfort zone because it then doesn't become a selfish thing. It becomes a helping thing.
Speaker 4:So you're saying don't walk into a networking meeting, flashing business cards. No,
Speaker 2:the fastest way to put people off.
Speaker 4:I know it puts me off. That's for sure. Somebody hands me a business card before I've even spoken to them. That business card goes straight in the bin.
Speaker 3:If they don't know what to do, and they're literally asking you that, so they're deciding in that moment whether you're worth talking to or not. Like, what are you going to bring their business? It's like, you know what, nah mate, you're a shark, move on. Not interested.
Speaker 4:Yeah, it's, um, sometimes it's actually almost a little bit of a game to look around and pick the ones that are going to do that as well. Um, they stand out like a sore thumb and it just, yeah, it doesn't, it might work for them between themselves, but if they're looking at a wider audience and not people that are just like them. Then I don't think it's the best strategy on earth.
Speaker 2:look, sharks versus sharks, it would probably work. But for us mere mortals, no.
Speaker 4:So you've been part of networking groups since I've known you. That's how we met. And I want to say that was at least eight years ago now. Has much changed when it comes to in person networking? I dare say COVID probably hit it a little bit, but has much changed? With strategy, how you should do it.
Speaker 3:In terms of strategy, no, I think COVID. made some people dip their toe in because they were doing it online and that's not quite as scary as actually going and meeting people. So I think COVID gave us an opportunity to, to try before we buy kind of thing and see what it's like before we actually had to go and visit. But in terms of how to use it and how to have your strategy about it, no, I don't think that has changed. I think some, The different groups that are out there has changed. There's been group, you know, group types come and go, but I think the way you use it, I think fundamentally has pretty much stayed the same.
Speaker 4:So still that focus on, you know, what can I bring to this group and how can I help each person here as opposed to, all right, let's, let's make sure that I've got the people around me that I want to get business off.
Speaker 2:I think
Speaker 3:it's actually even a step further back from that. I think it's literally just, it's building your network because it's not so much, you know, what you can offer another business, but it's just, you never know who someone you're talking to knows. You never know who they're connected to. You never know who their friends are. You never know what opportunities might come out from just knowing them. So it's as much as, yes, go in with trying to help other businesses, but just. Just meet people, just interact with them, just make those connections. And at the end of the day, whether you get business out of or not, I just think meeting people and making those connections is such a bonus for our lives, because we all need, we're social beings, we need that, you know? So, rather than coming at it from a, what can I get or what can I give? It's, who can I meet? Who can I talk to? You never know. You might find your best friend. You might find a perfect referral partner, but you might not. You might just find some really cool people that are, that are good to hang out with. And there's nothing wrong with that.
Speaker 4:Not at all. Not at all. I've certainly met some amazing friends. From business networking groups. And I'm in a totally different business now to what I used to be in. And some of those people like yourself, I still call a friend. So it's, it definitely can work and not just work for your business. I think it can work wonders for your mindset as well. You know, just especially those of us who do work from home or do work on our own, or even if we don't work on our own, we're just at the top of the business. You can't always chat to your staff about everything that's going on because. That might actually hurt their morale and their mental health, especially if things aren't great right now. But if you've got a community around you, then I think that can help whoever's at the top or the person on their own sitting at home speaking dog half the time, because they've got nobody else to talk to, I think that can help them really sort of feel a bit more connected to the world.
Microphone (Yeti Orb) & ????????? C930c:And is this point that we had some technical issues as well as some. Adorably annoying dogs barking in the background. Yes. Our own. And we've missed a bunch of questions that didn't record properly. But you get a couple of seconds now of talking about Huskies dogs and then getting back into talking about networking. So enjoy.
Kirri:Hopefully my train of thought, will come back to the station.
Anastasia:It should, it should.
Kirri:Yeah?
Anastasia:And this is why I don't do recordings. Yes. On Thursdays, because my dogs, my huskies get. Washed every second Thursday and they sing the song of their people for about two hours straight. Yeah, it's, it's nightmare. I, I swear all of our neighbours think that we're killing our dogs every fortnight. Anybody who has huskies will understand
Kirri:Oh, I saw this great, reel yesterday and it was of a husky that was getting in trouble and it threw a tantrum. So it was like, wouldn't let their owner talk, like, please don't put this anywhere. Every day, like talking over the top of her so that she couldn't yell at him for having done the wrong and send it to me. So I might find it and send it to you because I think you'll enjoy it.
Anastasia:Please do, cause they do. They do. It's, Scooby doesn't do it so much anymore because he's gotten a bit older, so he's more likely to just sort of give you a side eye and turn his back on you and walk away. But, yeah, he used to talk back something fierce. And it was, it was at the point where you'd be angry with him, but it's almost like having a toddler. You'd be angry with him, but you'd also be finding it so hilarious that you're trying to keep a straight face. Yeah, yeah, huskies are just toddlers. All right, while we've got recording working, back from some technical issues, which is great fun. Last question. What top three tips would you give a small business owner who is considering putting themselves out there and doing some face to face networking?
Kirri:First one would be just do it like it's one of those things that you just need to do As a small business, networking is just one of those things that you just have to do. You need to build your network of people around you, not just for marketing purposes, but for support. You know, that's, that's just part of the parcel. The second thing I would say would be in most networking events that you would go to, there is usually a list. of people who are likely to be in the room. Go through the list. Chances are you'll know someone or find someone and reach out to them and kind of go, you know, one visit, but I'm a bit anxious. Can I meet with you or something like that beforehand so that at least I'll know someone when I walk in. I was doing that recently. I was trying to go around to some different networking groups and I was reaching out to people in the, in the, groups that I was wanting to go visit and kind of go, Can I just meet with you for coffee? So at least when I walk into the room, I know someone. Because I'm not good at walking into a room on my own, knowing no one and just trying to start up conversation. That's not my wheelhouse. Okay. And second thing, if it's really still that terrifying, go with a friend. Doesn't have to be a friend in business, but go with someone. Whether it is another friend who has a business and you can both benefit, whether it's a partner, whether it's a sister, like just take someone with you. Even if it's a parent, if you, you know, last resort, just take someone with you. It's so much easier if you know someone. But try and, try and reach out to someone. Just go with someone. But just go. Yeah, it's scary. Like, it's like that first day at a new job. No one enjoys it. It is scary. But go. Because the second day, it's a bit easier, you know. And it's one of those muscles. You've got to work it out to make it better. So just keep going.
Anastasia:Absolutely. I love that. Well, thank you very much for joining me and for all of those little bits of gold for people. Oh, one more thing.
Kirri:have another one. The different networking groups have different formats. Go So try and find a format that is actually going to work for you. So, yes, I am going to name drop a few. So there's BNI, there's Chambers, there's all sorts of, all sorts of different things. Now, I'm not the sort of person that would normally cope with the Chamber environment because I'm not one to walk into a room and be able to go and talk to people. Chambers are not my wheelhouse. But what I love about BNI is that everyone gets the same opportunity to speak. So even if you are fairly quiet. you're still going to be heard, right? So, but having to get up and actually talk to someone, talk to everybody, even if you don't want to, that might not be your thing. It really isn't as scary as you think it is. But if that terrifies you so much, then maybe a chamber option might be better for you. But there's all sorts of different, different ones out there. There might be industry related ones. There might be ones that are just for women. There might be ones that are basically more for educational purposes, as opposed to networking. And that might be a really good way to get your toe in the water. Try and find a type of group that actually speaks to you and that you think you're actually going to gel with. But you're not going to know unless you actually try, but do a little bit of research. See if there's someone there that you know, and just try and find out what kind of format they are and what sort of format is actually going to suit your personality. And even with some of the, like BNI, I've got different chapters of different sizes and different people involved, just cause you go to one and you might think, Oh, that was a bit hardcore for me. Doesn't mean that all BNI chapters are out for you. It might be that there's a smaller one that's a little bit more friendly that might suit you better. Or maybe you're part of big business and you want a bigger one that's got bigger businesses in it. Do some research into who's in the room and figure out whether that's going to work. Same with chambers. Some chambers are massive and their events are huge. Maybe that's not for you. Some of the chambers that are a little bit further out, for example, the Hawkesbury Chamber, it's a little bit smaller, it's a little bit more friendly. It's a little bit more family. Maybe that's your wheelhouse and that's where you start and you can work your way up to those really bigger ones. But just try and find something that's actually going to work for you, but just go. Yeah, it's scary, but just go. It's one of those things you need to do. It's like going to the doctor. We don't like it, but we do it.
Anastasia:Yeah. I also do like that pick your different style. I do find for some people, what might be easier is one of the ones you said there, if it's more of an educational or an industry one first to start with, because you're not actually the purpose of the event isn't to network. The main purpose of the event. is whoever's up on stage or the worksheets that are being handed around. Therefore the networking part, the scary part is secondary. So I think if you do need to dip your toes into the water and just try, that's a really good way of doing it because if you are. a bit introverted. And if you don't actually step out and talk to anybody at those kind of events, you don't actually have to. It's not expected of you. You're there to learn, you're there to listen, you're there to fill out whatever you need to fill out. So I think that's a really, really good point there, um, is to look at those different types and what You might feel more comfortable with because we're all a bit different. We're all a bit weird.
Kirri:And even just within the industry ones, it might not be that everyone in the room does what you do, right? Because that might be a bit intimidating, you might get imposter syndrome, you might feel you're a competition. But there might be some, some events that are like industry related. So for example, there's a networking thing I go to that's for party vendors. So all of us, we cater for children's parties, right? There's other ones that are for tradie wives. There's others that, that, they're just all sorts of different ones. There's the Independent Business Network that they run, workshops each month and there's lots of education involved in that. As I said, there's the women's ones. There's all sorts of different options out there. They don't have to be the big ones. They can be smaller ones that are local and might suit you really, really well. So just, just do some research into what's around and what might really work for you.
Anastasia:You also get follow up from that as well. I know from some networking things that I'm in, some of the smaller ones that I'm in or have been part of in the past, I've met people that are then part of the bigger ones, and then I can do exactly what you said before and go with a friend because they're already part of the bigger one. They can take me along and I can be their little plus one. And that's a lot easier than just walking in completely on my own. So I think it's buildable.
Kirri:And you know, if it starts with, you know, four people, it starts with four people. Like even if it's just. You and a couple of friends that you know that run businesses, you know, even if it's just you guys get together once a month to talk about what action items are we going to do this month and keeping each other accountable, that's awesome. And then maybe the four of you, like one of your goals could be going to a networking event together so that it's not so terrifying. Just start small and build your way up. But it's really, it's not as scary as you think it is. It just, it feels when you haven't tried.
Anastasia:I think that's most things, right?
Kirri:You mentioned the.
Anastasia:Until you've tried something, you have no idea how scary it actually is. And sometimes I feel being a parent is one of those things that was terrifying. No, no, that still is
Kirri:It's still terrifying.
Anastasia:That still is terrifying every single day.
Kirri:That doesn't end, sorry.
Anastasia:Yeah. No, no, I, I started to think that thought through and then decided, no, no, no, that is still scary every single day. And every single time you get a message from the school saying, you know, one of your kids has been up to something. Yeah. It's still
Kirri:But you know what,
Anastasia:Anyway. Thank you very much.
Kirri:nappies of the second child, there's no way you're as terrifying as breastfeeding and changing nappies for the first child. Right? So it is a little bit like that. Like it does get, some things do get easier the more often you do it. But yeah. I do, I do like it.
Anastasia:The challenges just change a little bit. Okay, while this is still recording and working for us, I'm going to wrap it up there. Thank you very much, Kiri. That has been a lot of fun. We always have fun when we chat. But also I think. Quite insightful and helpful for those small business owners who, you know, let's face it, a lot of small business owners that are around now probably started during COVID when networking wasn't face to face networking, wasn't such a big thing. So they're probably still terrified of it because they haven't tried it. So I think having, you know, a few tips behind you and a few things to remember, I think makes it a lot easier stepping into that room that first time. So thank you very
Kirri:You're very welcome. Thank you so much for asking me.
