The Cubicle Chick

Career | Midlife | Style

  • Home
  • Career
  • Style
  • Family
  • Travel
  • Culture
She only doing what she know… 🏁 #grandnationa She only doing what she know… 🏁 #grandnationaltour #stl
MAY tings… MAY tings…
A rooftop situation is always a good idea! Recentl A rooftop situation is always a good idea! Recently, I was invited to a Happy Hour of bites and beats at @angadartshotel’s @artbar.stl and when I say the food, drinks, and the vibe were necessary during these stressful times. I see another visit soon in my future. Cheers! 🥂
April photo dump. And things of that nature. ✨✨
Are we twinning or nah? 😂😂😂 Are we twinning or nah? 😂😂😂
4/10 should be declared a national holiday because 4/10 should be declared a national holiday because on this day a king was born! Happy birthday, son. Love you more than words can say! 🎉🎉🎉
May we continue to have crazy/fun adventures toget May we continue to have crazy/fun adventures together. You deserve an overflow of serendipity, and all the joy I can provide. Still celebrating—Happy Birthday, Mommy! 🎉🎉🎉
Worked hard all week so we deserved a little treat Worked hard all week so we deserved a little treat. ✌🏾
My novel ‘A Clermont Lane Wedding’ is certainl My novel ‘A Clermont Lane Wedding’ is certainly not biographical, but there are traces of my life all up and down this book (hint hint). It’s a perfect Spring Break read!

It’s got romance, intrigue, a little mystery, and a family legacy on the line. On sale on Amazon, eBooks and paperback, link in bio.
  • Blog
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Legal
  • Contact
  • Media Kit
  • Home
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Media Kit

The Cubicle Chick

Career | Midlife | Style

  • Home
  • Career
  • Style
  • Family
  • Travel
  • Culture

Career, Contributors, Cubicle Life, Entrepreneur 101 · November 28, 2016

How to Use Your Current Professional Network to Build Your Business


How to Use Your Current Professional Network to Build Your Business

For many “Corporatepreneurs”, aka side hustlers, aka 9-to-5ers working on the side to create their own businesses, it can be challenging to build a business network when you spend upwards of eight hours in a cubicle or office. How do you manage to make connections to grow your business when you’re working all day? Not to mention that there are only so many after-hours, or lunch networking events, that you can attend without burning yourself out in the process.

But what if, instead of struggling to develop your business network on the outside, you actually used the one you already have. What if you tapped into your current professional network instead?

“I was afraid of using my connections at work to build my business”, a friend of mine confided in me when we were chatting one day.

Like my friend, many entrepreneurs/side hustlers forego tapping into the great networking resources they have right at their fingertips. Instead, they decide to start from scratch in a brand new industry and environment, with limited time and resources. The main reason is the fear of others knowing what we do on the side, or that it may backfire on our regular careers. However, considering the sheer number of people who have a business or job on the side, and the fact that some companies even recommend it, the fear is no longer justified. If anything, it’s actually counter-intuitive nowadays.

Here are a few ways you can use the professional network you have now to build your business:

Use your casual contacts network

The Senior Accountant you casually chat with at the cafeteria about your week-end plans and the last Nordstrom shoe sale? If the conversation lends itself to it, why not mention your side gig? You may have the answer to a question s/he has, or be able to help in some way. As a general rule, always assess if the relationship is prone to such a discussion, and approach the conversation from a practical, helpful angle rather than a sales pitch.

Leverage your professional associations

Are you part of one or many professional associations or networks? Since you already have to attend meetings and events, as well as socialize with contacts you already have developed a relationship with, why not leverage them to build your own business network? One key to this is to realize that your side activities are also part of what defines you as a person. Even better, they constitute an asset, and show your innovative and creative talents. All things that make you even more of a valuable part of any professional association or group.

So when networking in these groups, don’t be afraid to present yourself as a whole, including your daytime job AND your side gig. Again, be cognizant of the timing and context you may find yourself in. But otherwise, don’t hesitate to introduce your business, ask for feedback, and grow your network this way.

How to Use Your Current Professional Network to Build Your Business

Tap into your social and business groups

You know that jewelry party your co-worker invited you to last month? Or the Health and Wellness event your manager dragged you to last week, and had you try five different forms of detox potions? Your social and business groups are all opportunities to expand your own business network as well. After all, many of these groups start right in your workplace. So why not tap into them as well for your own business?

Whenever appropriate, pass out business cards and invite people to your own events. Supporting other social and business groups acquired through work is a powerful way to also get them to return the favor and support your own side pursuits as well.

Don’t forget the power of online networking

Linked In is a powerful tool to make professional connections. You may have used it to build an influential and quite large network of people who may have or will play a role in your career. As you’re building your business on the side, consider also tapping this network as a source of referral, advice and even business opportunities.

Here too, you may have to use some common sense and gut instinct to assess the proper timing and context for such conversations. However, don’t pass up the opportunity to share your business with contacts that may be instrumental for you. A good way to start would be to ask for feedback and ideas, as well as tactfully offer some help to your contacts.

Are you using your current professional network to build your business? If not, what’s preventing you from doing so?

Bio: Solange Lopes is an author, blogger and CPA. She writes about career and lifestyle topics for women at work in her blog The Corporate Sister (www.thecorporatesister.com). She’s also the author of Girl, Take Back Your Career: 7 Steps to Reclaiming Your Work.


Related Posts

  • The Cubicle Chick Social Networking Lunch Was A Success!

    As you may have seen me tweet and place on various social networking sites, I…

  • Six Work Life Balance Tips For Those Who Work From Home

    It can be difficult to balance your life when working at home, but it can…

  • Shine: 10 Tips for Effective Work Life Balance Vlog #2 Unplug

    In the 2nd video of my eBook series about Work Life Balance & Work Life…

In: Career, Contributors, Cubicle Life, Entrepreneur 101 · Tagged: career, career tips, Contributors, Entrepreneur, network, Solange Lopes

join the cube

You’ll Also Love

ou are in your professional zone, but networking in your 40s is just as important as when you first began. Here's why.From Experience to Influence: Networking in Your 40s
Navigating Career Challenges During Midlife
Navigating midlife professionally can be a daunting task. I'm sharing essential career tips for women over 40 that can help you be successful.Navigating Midlife: Essential Career Tips for Women Over 40

Comments

  1. RetiredRobert says

    November 28, 2016 at 9:37 pm

    I actually did this and used my professional association, which I was the first president of, to later start a web site directory of every business in my local association. They was not my purpose to start, but it just worked out that way. All the people in the association knew and trusted me, so when they saw what I was doing, developing a on line directory to list my business and theres, then they jumped on board. I then took the directory national and eventual sold out to a major company for $$$$.

    Reply
    • The Cubicle Chick says

      November 28, 2016 at 10:06 pm

      Thanks for commenting and sharing your story and experience. That’s awesome!

      Reply
    • Solange says

      November 29, 2016 at 7:44 pm

      Hi Robert:

      That’s a powerful testimony of how we can definitely repurpose our professional network for our business and side projects. Using your directory of contacts is a great way of leveraging your existing network! Thanks so much for your comment!

      Reply
  2. Rick N says

    December 23, 2016 at 5:06 pm

    Don’t forget networking events. There is nothing wrong with going to networking events with the agenda of your side (or newly made primary business) instead of the business that your contacts originally met you during. As long as you’re pleasant and respectful people will be willing to listen!

    And like I always tell people when networking – it is better to be interested than interesting. Don’t try to wow everyone there – instead let them think they’ve wowed you.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Next Post >

When You Are the Hostess, There Are No Sick Days (Sponsored) #NoSickDays

Advertisement


Hi there! I'm Danyelle Little, a St. Louis blogger, mom & and empty-nester. This site is for those of you who like to get the best out of both worlds-personally and professionally. Learn more about me HERE!

Buy My New Holiday Novel

join the cube

Recent Posts

  • The Nurse Practitioner’s Guide to Building an IV Therapy Brand
  • Career Options in Medicine: Exploring PA and MD Pathways
  • Planning a Vacation to Orlando: The Best Places to Shop and Explore
  • Seattle Round Trip: Elliott Bay, Hawaii, Alaska and More
  • Letter To My Daughter As She Turns 21: The World Is Yours

The Cube on Facebook

Checkout my NEW podcast

Listen on Spotify
Listen on Apple Podcasts
Listen on Google Podcasts

Affiliate

Perdue Farms Special Offer

View the blog

instagram

Follow @thecubiclechick

She only doing what she know… 🏁 #grandnationa She only doing what she know… 🏁 #grandnationaltour #stl
MAY tings… MAY tings…
A rooftop situation is always a good idea! Recentl A rooftop situation is always a good idea! Recently, I was invited to a Happy Hour of bites and beats at @angadartshotel’s @artbar.stl and when I say the food, drinks, and the vibe were necessary during these stressful times. I see another visit soon in my future. Cheers! 🥂
April photo dump. And things of that nature. ✨✨
Are we twinning or nah? 😂😂😂 Are we twinning or nah? 😂😂😂
4/10 should be declared a national holiday because 4/10 should be declared a national holiday because on this day a king was born! Happy birthday, son. Love you more than words can say! 🎉🎉🎉
May we continue to have crazy/fun adventures toget May we continue to have crazy/fun adventures together. You deserve an overflow of serendipity, and all the joy I can provide. Still celebrating—Happy Birthday, Mommy! 🎉🎉🎉
Worked hard all week so we deserved a little treat Worked hard all week so we deserved a little treat. ✌🏾
My novel ‘A Clermont Lane Wedding’ is certainl My novel ‘A Clermont Lane Wedding’ is certainly not biographical, but there are traces of my life all up and down this book (hint hint). It’s a perfect Spring Break read!

It’s got romance, intrigue, a little mystery, and a family legacy on the line. On sale on Amazon, eBooks and paperback, link in bio.
The miracle of being a WOMAN. A life giver. A soul The miracle of being a WOMAN. A life giver. A soul nurturer. A blessing. ✨
Follow on Instagram

Work With Me

  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Media Kit

join the cube

Site Info

  • Privacy Policy
  • Legal
  • Site Disclosure

Copyright © 2025 The Cubicle Chick · Theme by 17th Avenue