You’re Networking Wrong: How Real Business Connections Actually Happen | CEO Lounge Ep. 2

Most people don’t struggle with networking because they lack effort — they struggle because they’re doing it wrong.

In Episode 2 of The CEO Lounge, Derrick Thompson and co-host Joselyn Flores break down why traditional networking advice fails entrepreneurs — and what actually builds real business relationships.

If you’ve ever:

• Left a networking event exhausted with nothing to show for it
• Collected business cards that went nowhere
• Wondered why some people always get the call back

This episode is your blueprint.

Instead of chasing contacts, this conversation dives into:

• Why real networking rarely happens in crowded rooms
• How timing, value, and intention matter more than small talk
• A real story of how one fundraiser conversation turned into a high-level business connection
• When to follow up — and when not to
• How to add value first without sounding salesy or desperate

This isn’t theory. It’s real-world strategy from entrepreneurs who’ve built businesses through relationships, trust, and long-term thinking.

The CEO Lounge is your blueprint for success — designed to help aspiring founders, startups, and seasoned entrepreneurs make smarter moves without wasting years learning the hard way.

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🔑 KEY TOPICS COVERED

• Business networking strategies
• Entrepreneur networking tips
• How to follow up with executives
• Relationship-based marketing
• Building trust in business
• Startup mistakes in networking
• How to add value before asking

If this episode helped you rethink networking, drop a comment below or share it with someone who needs to hear this.