Everyone loves a great shortcut.
“Hey, can you intro me to your lender?”
“Mind sharing your contractor?”
“Who’s your VA?”

It’s ok when you might be paying those folks for their services so long as you are not trying to talk them down on their prices.

Yes, we’ve seen and heard it all!

And on the surface, asking for someone to make an intro might sound like a fair ask — a simple “Who” to speed up your own journey.

But here’s the thing:
It’s sometimes Who — but never How.

Because How comes from doing the work.

From showing up when it’s hard.
From learning the systems, solving the messes, and losing sleep over deals that don’t pencil.
How is earned.
How is where trust is built.
How is what forges your instinct, your edge, your gut.

You can find your own “Who” — that’s the point of networking, learning, and building.
But here’s where the line gets crossed:

When you ask for someone else’s “Who” as a shortcut to skip the How.

That contractor they trust?
They earned that trust through years of trial, accountability, and likely a few messy jobs.
That lender who calls them back same day?
That’s from showing up with clean docs, closing clean deals, and not flaking when things got weird.

Asking for their “Who” without honoring their How is like cutting in line at a club — then expecting VIP service because you borrowed someone else’s name.

No honey,

…if you want to play in the band in Texas you gotta bring your own fiddle.

So don’t be playing with folks in people’s networks and not respecting and compensating people properly. Or calling them asking them if they have time for a coffee or if you can pick their brain. Ummm, no. Stop being lazy, do some research, and work harder.

Master Networkers know:

• Connections aren’t coupons – so we don’t just freely give them out.

• Like a speakeasy club, access is earned, not gifted. What’s the password?

• And the people you meet on the climb? They’re watching how you move, not just who you know.

So yes —by all means find your Whos.
Build your tribe.
Network pass the level of your net worth.

But don’t try to shortcut someone else’s How by disrespecting their Who.
Because that shortcut you’re asking for…
It’s probably the very thing that made them who they are.

Respect the climb!

If you are looking for a Money Finding MacGyver, I just might be YOUR NEXT WHO!

Your paperwork organization or lack thereof will tell me all about the work you have done in your HOW phase #petty #youknewIwasgoingthere. If you want to make sure you are on point, be sure to check out my 5 minute funding quiz first.