Growing Your Social Capital

1) One person must be a domain expert in your industry. This would be someone who's engaged in the same type of business activity as you would like to be. They may own the same kind of company that you would like to own, or they may be a technical expert who knows a lot about the kind of product or service that you would like to produce.

1) Who they are and what their background is.

Kevin Michaels of Tropical smoothie cafe. Degree from UF and sales experience. 

2) Which 'slot' you are filling with each person (i.e., domain expert, market expert, supplier), and how the person fills the spot.

Domain expert.

3) A description of how you found the person and contacted the person.

I walked into tropical smoothie cafe and asked for an owner.

4) The nature of the exchange you have with the person -- what favor did they do for you? What is the return expectation? 

No favors, I simply asked for information!

5) How will including this person in your network enhance your ability to exploit an opportunity?

A strong business partner already in the industry that can offer advice for my new chain. 

2) One person must be an expert on your market. This would be someone who is targeting your market with similar products services -- or knows a lot about conducting customer research in your area -- or represents a major piece of your market (this might be most applicable with B2B markets).

1) Who they are and what their background is.

Catie Brookes. Marketing director for alachua county. 

2) Which 'slot' you are filling with each person (i.e., domain expert, market expert, supplier), and how the person fills the spot.

Market expert.

3) A description of how you found the person and contacted the person.

Also walked into tropical smoothie and asked to speak to a marketing team member. had to call her due to not being located in the local office. 

4) The nature of the exchange you have with the person -- what favor did they do for you? What is the return expectation? 

They asked that I return nothing, just that I would reach for my dreams!

5) How will including this person in your network enhance your ability to exploit an opportunity?

Having someone to ask about target markets and market segments for certain products will be fruitful. 

3) One person must be an important supplier to your industry. This would be someone who is selling products and services to other organizations/firms in your industry.

1) Who they are and what their background is.

John Lammers from Vanna's Tropical fruits and vegetables. Local farmer that supplies for many food cafes. 

2) Which 'slot' you are filling with each person (i.e., domain expert, market expert, supplier), and how the person fills the spot.

supplier. 

3) A description of how you found the person and contacted the person.

Looked up the local alachua suppliers and found one that seemed well respected. Called to speak to a marketing director for them. 

4) The nature of the exchange you have with the person -- what favor did they do for you? What is the return expectation? 

Just asked about how much of the supply chain works! No favors in return, just to say good and potentially use Vanna's in the future. 

5) How will including this person in your network enhance your ability to exploit an opportunity? 

I think that having a great source to call about bringing in local fruits will enhance my brand.