Networking Spotlight with Stacey Levine
How has networking contributed to your professional growth and success?
Networking is absolutely essential to my business. As a consultant, I help beauty brands define their marketing & communications strategies to build brand love. In my experience, word of mouth and referrals from people who trust you are the most consistent way to land not *just* clients - but clients you love.
What are your top networking tips for building strong connections in your industry?
Networking can be such a weighted word. When I was in college and early in my career, I dreaded networking because it felt so inauthentic and pressure-filled. My #1 tip is be a human! If you are genuinely interested in getting to know other people, learning what they love about their job or industry, and finding what you have in common, networking can actually be fun.
Another tip is not to go into networking events and meetings wondering what you can gain. Go into every interaction with the mindset of "How can I help or support this person?" That's how you build genuine, strong connections.
In what ways has networking opened doors to new ventures for you?
Networking has been my top source of clients in my consulting business. It benefits the brands, because they are getting a referral from a source they trust, and it benefits me, because I go into conversations with brands understanding more about who they are and what they're looking for - as well as what the clients are like, as people.
How do you balance online networking with in-person interactions to maximize your connections?
I find in-person events to be more fruitful, personally, but I also do a decent amount of networking in online groups like business masterminds, LinkedIn conversations, and Slack communities. Whether in-person or online, the key is continuing the relationship - reach out every few months, grab a virtual coffee 1:1, and offer to help the person however you can.
Share a piece of advice for those who may feel hesitant or shy about networking.
Find the type of networking events that feel right for you. I also co-founded The Beauty Social (https://www.staceyalevine.co/the-beauty-social), a free monthly happy hour in NYC for leaders in the beauty industry. It's an intimate, unstructured event, with typically 10-20 people in a casual bar setting. Often networking events have hundreds or thousands of people, you have to really "sell" yourself to stand out, and it can be intimidating to go alone. My co-founder and I saw a white space in the market for the type of networking we'd enjoy - a more intimate event that felt like grabbing drinks with friends. Seek out the networking events that work for you.
How has the colab helped you?
I've met some great connections through the co-lab that have turned into networking contacts, potential client leads, and sounding boards.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/staceyalevine/
Website: https://www.staceyalevine.co
Instagram: @staceyalevine
