When I first launched my packaging business, I had this naïve idea that my work would speak for itself. If the products were strong, the service was reliable, and the pricing fair, the right clients would just… show up. I soon realised that’s not how it works. Especially in an industry like packaging, where people tend to do business with people they know (or at least, know of).
So I started putting myself out there.
Not in a “hi, here’s my card, let’s talk supply chains over canapés” kind of way, but in a more strategic and human way. I began showing up to events, not just the packaging expos or trade shows, but the talks, the female founder meet-ups, even the slightly awkward breakfasts where no one knows where to sit. Because I’ve come to believe that building a business isn’t just about systems and sales. It’s about people. And people are your network.
Why Networking Felt Intimidating at First
To be honest, networking used to make me cringe. I thought it meant pretending to be someone I wasn’t. That I’d have to “sell myself” constantly. But over time, I’ve realised the best connections I’ve made have come from genuine curiosity, asking about someone’s story, sharing parts of mine, and not jumping straight to the pitch.
I started thinking of it more as planting seeds rather than chasing immediate wins. Some of those seeds have grown into partnerships, others into referrals or simply good advice. A few have grown into friendships I really value.
Creating a System That Works for Me
Once I accepted that I’d need to do more than sit behind my laptop and hope the right people found me, I began building a loose system for networking that felt natural. It’s not a formal strategy; there’s no spreadsheet or funnel. But I do keep a few things in mind:
- One event per week – I pick something that puts me in a room (or Zoom) with people I don’t already know.
- Intentional follow-ups – If I have a great conversation, I send a message within 48 hours. Not to sell anything, just to say hi and keep the door open.
- Content that reflects my work – I’ve become more intentional about what I share online. Not every post is about packaging (honestly, how many unboxing angles can there be?), but I do share insights from running a business and the things I’m learning along the way.
And finally, I make room for the unexpected. Sometimes the best networking moments happen at 10 pm on a Thursday when someone casually introduces you to a supplier over a glass of wine and a laugh about how long business cards have been dead.
Which brings me to a small but surprisingly helpful discovery: Myrkl.
A Little Side Note About Energy (and Alcohol)
Not every networking event happens on a weekday evening with tea and polite conversation. Some of the best ones, the real conversations, the organic introductions, happen at industry dinners or events where the drinks are flowing a little more freely than usual.
I’ve had a couple of events lately that ran midweek and involved a bit more celebration than I anticipated. I still needed to be up early, sharp, and on the ball the next day. Myrkl, which I’d heard about through a friend, ended up being a surprisingly effective secret weapon. I took it two hours before the event (as recommended), and the next morning I actually felt fine, refreshed, even. Not groggy. Not dragging. It gave me the space to show up to a client meeting the next day feeling like myself, not a ghost of my networking self. I don’t rely on it all the time, but it’s a clever tool to have when business and social life blur.
Packaging, Business, and People
There’s something deeply practical about working in packaging materials, margins, and environmental targets. But I’ve learnt that relationships matter just as much as raw materials. The right conversation can lead to an opportunity that never would have come through a form on a website.
Some of my best new clients came through someone I met at a totally unrelated women’s brunch. One of my most dependable suppliers was introduced to me at a birthday dinner I almost skipped. Networking, in its best form, isn’t about being transactional; it’s about being visible and open.
Final Thoughts
If you’re building a business, especially in an industry that still leans on traditional referrals and word-of-mouth, showing up is half the battle. Not every event will feel worth it. You’ll go somewhere where the food is bad, the lighting is worse, and you leave without a single strong connection. But then, unexpectedly, you’ll attend something midweek, slightly reluctantly, and it’ll change the game.
You’ll meet someone who sees what you’re building and wants to be part of it. Or you’ll gain insight you didn’t even know you needed. Or you’ll just laugh and remember why you started in the first place.
So yes, build systems, track your pipeline, optimise your operations. But don’t underestimate the power of being in the right room, at the right time, with the right energy. And if the room involves a drink or two on a Tuesday? No judgement. Just don’t forget your Myrkl.
If you found this article insightful, you may also enjoy reading A Practical Guide: The Art of Food and Wine Pairing or Rise To The Occasion – A Guide To Dressing And Acting According To The Occasion.
Important Notes:
*MYRKL is a supplement designed to support well-being while consuming alcohol and promote responsible alcohol consumption. It efficiently breaks down the absorption of alcohol, giving you the opportunity to enjoy your social experiences regret-free. Do not take more than the recommended dose of 2 capsules in 24 hours.
Based on a randomised placebo-controlled double-blind crossover study, conducted with 24 healthy subjects. Subjects were randomised to take 2 capsules/day of AB001 or placebo for 1 week prior to experimental day, where they ingested a light breakfast and drank a moderate glass of spirit (0.3 g/kg body weight).
- Pfützner A, Hanna M, Andor Y, Sachsenheimer D, Demircik F, Wittig T and de Faire J. Chronic Uptake of A Probiotic Nutritional Supplement (AB001) Inhibits Absorption of Ethylalcohol in the Intestine Tract – Results from a Randomized Double-blind Crossover Study. Nutr. Metab. Insights. 2022;15:1-5.
MYRKL (capsules), Unscheduled. D 34.12: Complementary Medicine (Health Supplement). Contains Fermented Rice Bran (Oryza sativa), L-Cysteine, Dextrin and Vitamin B12. (fermented by Bacillus subtilis & Bacillus coagulans). This medicine is subject to regulatory control by SAHPRA.
Developed and formulated by: De Faire Medical AB, Västra Trädgårdsgatan 11A, 111 53 Stockholm, Sweden.
Applicant: Imperial Market Access Healthcare SA (Pty) Ltd, 57 Sarel Baard Crescent, Gateway Industrial Park, Rooihuiskraal, 0157.
General contact information: Tel: 012 621 4300, info.mahsa.sm@dpworld.com. For any quality or safety related queries, please contact Imperial Quality at quality.healthcare.sm@dpworld.com or Imperial Medical at pvimperiallogistics@dpworld.com.
