Chris Bradshaw

Most importantly it increases the chance of making more happy customers! The more connections you make the more people will know about your product or service which of course can only increase the probability of making more sales.

I have found that as my business has grown, a lot of the connections that I made in the early days of starting Urban Revolution have become great friends and people I can always go to for advice. Some have even offered financial assistance to the business and have helped drive the formulation of other business ideas which I am soon to carry out.

In terms of volume sales I did a talk last year at a national Clean Air awards event and met the Public Health officer from Middlesbrough Council. Following our meeting I received our biggest ever order!

In terms of business advice, my business mentor (Geoff Stevenson from Weston Spirit Trading) would have to be my best connection. I was advised to contact him by a connection I had made at university who worked in the community action group. Geoff was the first person I went to for advice on my idea and he gave me the initial confidence to create a business plan and form the company.

Attend free networking/business events in your town or city and for the first year at least, become a member of your local chamber of commerce.

When you attend events where there will be lots of people you have never met before, remember to smile and ask lots of questions (and make sure they are not all about you!).

Good old Microsoft Outlook and my office/cell phone!