Networking When You’re the Founder: Staying Grounded When the Energy Is Off

Entrepreneurship has its moments.

I’m a people person through and through. I can meet new people easily, talk to strangers, show up to events alone, work a room, and genuinely enjoy it. Networking, for me, isn’t usually the hard part.

But recently, I had an experience that reminded me of something every entrepreneur eventually has to learn: Not every connection is aligned.

And, not every “yes” is really a yes.

When the Follow-Up Feels Like a Trap

I connected with someone at a networking event. In the moment, they seemed interested—at least, I believed they were. The conversation felt open. Curious. Like the start of a relationship.

So I did what we’re supposed to do.

I followed up by email and invited them to schedule time so we could explore partnership possibilities and learn more about each other’s work. They took the initiative, found a slot on my calendar, and booked a 30-minute conversation.

So far, so good… right?

The Call Started, and the Vibe Was Already Wrong

The moment they came on screen, their face communicated something I can only describe as annoyance—like they were irritated to be there. We did the usual greetings, and I asked a simple question: “How are you doing?”

Their response was something along the lines of: “Busy. I’m dealing with a lot.”

And the rest of the call carried the same energy—hurried, distracted, and (whether intentional or not) dismissive. The message I received wasn’t, “Let’s connect.”

It was, “You’re taking up my time.”

It felt like they were doing me a favor by showing up… to the call they scheduled.

And I’m not going to lie: it rubbed me the wrong way.

The Real Work Was Internal

Toward the end of the conversation, I could feel myself tightening up. Frustration rising. That familiar moment where you want to match energy with energy.

But I had to talk to myself in real time: “Michelle, calm down. Don’t react to what they’re emitting.”

Because here’s the truth: moments like this can pull you off your center if you let them.

And entrepreneurship will give you plenty of chances to practice staying centered.

A Hard Lesson: Expectations Can Be Dangerous

Sometimes, you’ll walk into a conversation with an expectation—because of what someone said, how they acted, or the way they positioned themselves as supportive.

You may even believe you’re receiving clear communication that someone wants to help, partner, or hire you. And then… the moment comes, and it’s the opposite.

It can feel disappointing. It can feel rude. It can feel confusing.

But the bigger risk is what happens next—if you allow that disappointment to change how you show up.

Don’t Let Rudeness Rewrite Your Values

One of the most important skills we develop as founders isn’t pitching. It’s emotional discipline.

It’s the ability to stay aligned with your values even when someone else is misaligned with theirs.

Because if you’re not careful, one awkward interaction can:

• make you second-guess your worth

• shrink your boldness

• harden your heart

• or push you to show up in a way that isn’t true to who you are

And, that’s too expensive of a price to pay for someone else’s bad energy.

People Will Fail You—Even “Your People”

This is the part nobody loves to talk about.

Sometimes the people you think are here to support you won’t come through. Sometimes they’ll disappoint you. Sometimes they’ll mishandle you.

And it’s not just strangers.

It can be people close to you—family, friends, longtime connections, folks who said they were “for you.”

I’m not saying that’s okay. I’m saying it’s part of the journey. And, the journey requires resilience that isn’t dependent on other people’s behavior.

Let It Be Data, Not a Detour

When an interaction leaves you feeling small, dismissed, or disrespected, you get to decide what meaning it holds.

Here’s what I’m learning to choose:

• Let it be information.

• Let it clarify who’s aligned and who’s not.

• Let it refine your boundaries.

• Let it strengthen your emotional stamina.

But don’t let it become your North Star. Because you can’t build your life’s work around other people’s inconsistency.

Stay Committed to the Plan

Entrepreneurship requires a certain kind of stubborn hope.

Not the naive kind—the grounded kind.

The kind that says:

“I’m still going to show up.”

“I’m still going to build.”

“I’m still going to lead with integrity.”

“I’m still going to move with purpose.”

Even when people are rude.

Even when the support doesn’t look like you expected.

Even when the moment stings.

Stay committed to the goal.

Stay committed to your purpose.

Stay committed to the plan.

Because the right partnerships won’t make you feel like a burden.

They’ll make you feel like alignment.

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