If the words: ‘breakfast networking meeting’ fill you with dread or frustration, then you’re definitely not alone. Let’s face it. We’re not all cut out for the 5am club!
But, if you’re not an early bird, you’ll be pleased to know that there are plenty of other ways to get your fill of great networking – without leaving the house during the dawn chorus!
The Reality of Weekday Mornings
When I first started networking, I found it impossible to commit to breakfast networking groups. Mostly because I’m not very ‘buisiness-y’ before 8am, but also, as a busy mum of two daughters, early mornings just didn’t work for me.
At that time I was more likely to be exhausted shouting the same phrases on repeat to my little darlings:
“PUT YOUR SHOES ON!”
“Where’s your PE Kit”
“Have you brushed your teeth”
I definitely wasn’t in the right frame of mind for doing a 1 minute pitch to a professional room! And, even though I didn’t relish the idea of networking at breakfast meetings, I still felt like I was missing out on the good stuff.
Breakfast meetings definitely seemed way more structured and productive than the more open daytime events. There was more opportunity for continuity, momentum and deeper relationship building.
I wanted some of this too.
Just not before sunrise!
So, I thought… “What if there are other people out there like me?” Turns out there was. Quite a lot of them actually. And so, my 10am, relaxed but really purposeful format was born!
Quick Blog Summary
Great networking isn’t about the time of day – it’s about consistency, structure and genuine relationships. Many business owners struggle with early breakfast networking meetings due to family commitments, energy levels or lifestyle preferences. Structured daytime networking offers the same levels of momentum, trust-building and business opportunities in a more accessible and convenient format.
Why Traditional Breakfast Networking Doesn’t Work For Everyone
For decades, business networking has grown up as a breakfast endeavour and for many it works perfectly for them. You have some breakfast, make some good connections and still be at your first job of the day when everyone else is getting into work.
Certainly, some of the big networking brands continue to thrive all over the world at the breakfast hour. And there will always be a place for this offering.
But, for a lot of business owners, early morning doesn’t fit in with their circadian rhythms or their personal commitments.
Not everyone is at their best at 7am.
Parents are juggling school runs or managing caring responsibilities. Others are dealing with health challenges or just trying to find the right work-life balance.
Many feel they have to force themselves into the breakfast networking club if they want to build meaningful connections.
But great networking isn’t just about the time of day.
It’s about finding the right group of people to meet with consistently and developing collaborative relationships.
That doesn’t just happen at breakfast (thankfully!)
What People Actually Want From Their Networking Time
Let’s be completely honest.
The main and most basic reason that people make the decision to ‘go networking’ is to grow their customer base and make more money.
So, we all want more than just a room of people. We want:
- Genuine relationships
- Consistency
- Trust
- Momentum
- Opportunities to collaborate and support each other in business
That’s why the structured networking group environment works so well.
Hanging out with the same people consistently allows conversations and relationships to deepen.
You gain a clearer understanding of what each other is looking to achieve. Trust develops and referrals become more natural and sustainable.
But it’s more than that.
Being in business can be lonely and difficult. Having a solid group of people around you that can do a happy dance with you when things are good; dust you off and set you going again when it feels hard; and share with you their knowledge, experience and support is a total gamechanger.
But this kind of great networking is not confined to the breakfast hours. It can work at any time of the day.
Networking Should Fit Around Your ‘Real Life’
Back in 2017 I found myself thinking “I can’t be the only person who feels like this.”
Surely there were other people feeling that they were missing out on the good stuff at breakfast because they had morning commitments.
So, I started some structured networking groups of my own at different times of the day. First at 10am – the perfect amount of time for busy parents to squeeze in dropping off the kids, grab a cuppa, check their urgent emails and travel to the meeting – and then later I replicated this in the evening too, which suited a different demographic of people who liked being able to relax into their networking without the nagging feeling of having to return to work.
The important thing is to find a time to network where you feel fully calm and present, so that you can show up as your best self, be reliable, build trust and friendships and most importantly of all – enjoy it!
That’s where the great networking results come from, and it doesn’t need to happen over breakfast!
But What If My Target Audience Only Networks at Breakfast?
There are certain industries that favour the early morning meetings. Trades are a classic example. They want to do their connecting before they start their first job of the day.
But that doesn’t mean ALL of them do breakfast. You might find some of them hanging out in evening meetings instead.
If you can’t be in the same room as these people on a regular basis…then you’ll just have to look at alternative marketing channels to target them. And you are likely to find people working with these people in networking meetings at other times of the day.
The Networking Format Matters More Than the Time of Day
Great networking should support you and your business growth – and it should be an enjoyable and fulfilling thing to do.
It doesn’t need to be too strict and stuffy, but it does need purpose.
The meeting format must create lots of opportunities for you to demonstrate that you are a trustworthy person. That’s the key to getting results.
I’m a bit biased, but I think we’ve really nailed this at The Growth Community.
We start with some open networking then we sit around a table together to do the more structured part of the session.
Everybody gets one minute to tell us how they help people; one of our members shares a longer 10 minute showcase so we can understand in more detail about the way they support their customers. Then we get to the most important bit – the Contributions section.
This is where our members share how they’ve been helping each other, the conversations they’ve had and take the time to say thank you to anybody who has supported them. Returning guests get to the same. And everybody shares who they’d like to follow up with after the meeting.
We end with a quick learning point and encourage everyone to book their 121 meetings in so that we can keep the momentum going. Often people do that over another coffee or some lunch straight after the meeting.
It Doesn’t Need to be Breakfast Time to Enjoy Great Networking
If getting up with the larks is your thing then breakfast networking is a great way to utilise your time. Let’s face it – you can achieve a lot before 9am!
But for those of us who are heavily committed in those hours – or just loathe the idea of being ‘on your business game’ at 7am – then there are more convenient ways to ‘fill our cup’.
The most important questions to ask yourself before committing to a networking group are:
Is this my tribe – are these people genuinely interested in supporting my growth?
Does the time of day work for me – can I be fully present, organised and calm and show off the ‘best version of myself’?
Do I have a desire to collaborate with and/or support the people in the group?
Can I learn and gain knowledge and experience?
Do I enjoy it and look forward to attending?
Does the meeting feel purposeful?
As long as the meeting has structure and the members are motivated to help each other be successful then it doesn’t actually matter what time of the day it is.
Great networking happens when great people work together.
Q&A
Do networking meetings have to be in the morning?
Not at all. While breakfast networking groups have traditionally been popular, there are now plenty of daytime, lunchtime and evening networking options available. The best networking meeting is the one you can attend consistently, comfortably and with the right level of energy and focus.
Are breakfast networking groups better?
Not necessarily — they’re just different. Breakfast networking works brilliantly for some people because it allows them to connect before the working day begins. But for others, daytime networking feels calmer, more productive environment and convenient. The effectiveness of networking usually comes down to the quality of the relationships, not the time on the clock.
What makes a networking group effective?
The most effective networking groups create opportunities for consistency, trust and meaningful conversations. A good networking environment should help members get to know each other properly over time, rather than just exchanging business cards. Structure, reliability, collaboration and genuine support are often what lead to the best long-term business results.
Is networking worth it for small business owners?
Absolutely. Networking can help small business owners build relationships, gain referrals, increase visibility and access valuable support and knowledge. It can also reduce the isolation that many people experience when running a business. The key is finding the right networking environment and attending consistently enough to build trust naturally.
How do I choose the right networking group?
Look for a networking group where:
- The people feel aligned with your values and personality
- The meeting format feels meaningful and organised
- You can attend consistently
- You feel comfortable being yourself
- There are opportunities for genuine collaboration and relationship-building
It’s also important to choose a meeting time that works realistically around your life and commitments.
What if I hate networking?
Many people who say they “hate networking” actually dislike forced or overly sales-driven environments. Networking should feel like building friendships, not performing. Finding a more relaxed, welcoming and structured group can completely change how networking feels — and the results you get from it. But if you really don’t like it then choose another marketing channel to grow your business. Networking isn’t for everyone.
How often should I attend networking meetings?
Being consistent is important when building relationships. But the best frequency is what works for you. At The Growth Community we do fortnightly meetings which feels like the right balance. Attending regularly helps people get to know you, understand your business and build trust over time. Whether that’s weekly, fortnightly or monthly, the important thing is showing up!
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Try Some Great Networking at 10am
If you’re not a fan of breakfast meetings then you might find The Growth Community’s approach a more convenient way to connect and build relationships.
Come and experience a meeting near you.
And the great news is that you can be our guest for free up to SIX times a year.
Have a look on our locations page and find a business networking group near you. We pride ourselves on our friendly and welcoming approach – no pressure – just good conversations and opportunities to work together with people who are genuinely interested in your business growth journey. AND you can visit up to SIX times per calendar year, free of charge.
Further Resources
Why not have a read of some of our other blogs in our library.
Identify the right networking format for you
Decide if networking groups are worth the effort
How to get the most out of your 121s
Ways you can build trust with your connections
Learn more about Growth Community member only meetings
Why member only meetings add value to membership
Small Business Podcast
or if you are looking to expand on your small business knowledge then check out the Everyday’s A Business School Day Podcast.
