One of the more interesting and consistent comments I’ve run into when speaking with people involves my networking ability. Usually it is associated with a head shaking in amazement followed by a comment along the lines of, “How do you get to know these people.”

This would be a great time to comment on networking in general and misconceptions, but that isn’t what this blog is about. My thoughts for today are about perception.

Yesterday I was unexpectedly invited to a meeting about a new product launch with a group of investors. I was brought in by the gentleman forming the company on behalf of my real estate investor partner. With the exception of these two people the other investors in attendance had no idea who I was.

The net worth of these people was a minimum of twenty million dollars apiece.

Throughout the presentation I listened, took notes, and when the discussion period started, I jumped right in. At the time I didn’t stop to consider that I didn’t belong due to lack of money or experience. In my own way, I am just as successful and intelligent as these very successful men and women…all of whom were entrepreneurs…none had started with anything.

Following the meeting, several of the other potential investors asked if I was a fellow real estate investor or what large company I had owned and sold. They were shocked and amused to find out I own a small company that will do a little over six figures this year.

I left the meeting not feeling intimidated or overwhelmed but realizing I had held my own and then some…that I was amongst equals. Perhaps not financially at the moment, but in all other ways.

I was pleasantly surprised to be asked back to the next meeting as part of the company.

One of the more interesting items of note I learned from speaking with some of these people is that they all admire hard work…having built their fortunes from the ground up. When someone shows the desire, determination, and work ethic that they had/have they invest in the person, not the business.

It will be interesting to see how far some of my new contacts carry me.