If the thought of walking into a room full of strangers and "networking" makes your stomach turn, this episode is for you.
Host Rupesh Parbhoo sat down with Rachel Perez — brand identity designer, self-proclaimed introvert, and someone who's figured out how to build a thriving professional network without pretending to be someone she's not.
What came out of their conversation wasn't a list of tricks. It was an honest look at what networking actually feels like for people who'd rather be home with their cat (Rachel's words, not ours) — and how to do it anyway.
Being Quiet Doesn't Mean You Have Nothing to Say
One of the biggest misconceptions about introverts? That they're not interested.
Rachel pushed back on that right away. Introverts aren't disengaged — they're processing. They're listening. They're waiting for the right moment to contribute something meaningful rather than filling silence with noise.
And that, she argues, is actually a superpower.
Introverts tend to be better listeners, more observant, and more independent. In a networking setting, those qualities translate to asking better questions, making people feel genuinely heard, and building deeper connections faster.
Rupesh saw this firsthand. He shared a story from their Toastmasters club, where Rachel completely shifted the energy in a room during a tense moment about organizational change. Instead of pushing forward, she paused to acknowledge what came before — and the whole group relaxed.
That kind of emotional intelligence doesn't come from being the loudest voice. It comes from paying attention.
3 Networking Rules for Introverts Who Hate Small Talk
Rachel's networking philosophy comes down to three principles she's developed through years of trial and error:
1. Don't have an agenda. People can feel it when you're trying to sell them something. Drop the elevator pitch and just show up as a human being.
2. Focus on genuine connections. Ask real questions. Listen to the answers. Be curious about who someone is, not just what they can do for you.
3. Be kind to everyone. Simple, but powerful. You never know who someone knows — or who they'll become.
Rupesh backed this up with his own experience. He's been on the selling side at conferences and confirmed that it doesn't feel good for anyone. The best connections he's made started with something as simple as complimenting the brownies at a hotel buffet.
No script. No pitch. Just a shared moment.
Why Introverts Should Arrive Early to Networking Events
One of Rachel's most practical tips caught Rupesh off guard with how simple it was: get to the event early.
When you're one of the first people in the room, conversations happen naturally — one person at a time. Walk in late to a packed room, and you're trying to break into groups that are already mid-conversation. That's hard for anyone, but especially draining for introverts.
Showing up early turns networking from "interjecting yourself into a crowd" into "welcoming someone who just walked in." Completely different energy.
How to Manage Networking Anxiety: "We're All on a Floating Rock"
Everyone has their go-to phrase when anxiety kicks in. Rachel's might be the best one we've heard on this podcast.
Whenever she feels stressed about a networking situation — or anything, really — she reminds herself: we are all on a floating rock hurtling through space.
It's funny. It's true. And it works.
The point isn't to minimize what you're feeling. It's to zoom out far enough that the stakes shrink to their actual size. That awkward introduction you're dreading? In the grand scheme of the universe, it's really not that big a deal.
Rupesh related to this immediately. He described himself as someone who's shy on day one of a conference but high-fiving strangers by day three. The first awkward conversation breaks the seal — and everything gets easier from there.
How Improv Made an Introvert a Better Communicator
Here's something you might not expect from a self-described introvert: Rachel has been taking improv classes for three years.
It started after she read Sorry I'm Late, I Didn't Want to Come by Jessica Pan — a book about an introvert who says yes to everything for a year. One of those yeses was improv. Rachel figured she'd try it too.
She convinced her husband to come along to a free Saturday class at Bridge Improv Theater in Phoenix. He didn't want to go. He signed up anyway because, in his words, he didn't want to be left out.
Three years later, they're both still doing it.
What Rachel learned from improv applies directly to networking and everyday communication: focus on the connection between people, not just the surface-level "stuff and things." Talk about how you feel. Be present. Respond to what's actually happening instead of rehearsing your next line. (Rachel later co-hosted a two-part episode on improv with Bridge Improv Theater.)
Public Speaking Tip: The Audience Wants You to Succeed
Rachel's advice for new speakers doubled as advice for anyone walking into a room full of strangers:
The audience is on your side. Nobody shows up hoping for a bad speech — or a bad conversation. People are judging you far less harshly than you're judging yourself. They're too busy worrying about their own awkward moment.
And if all else fails? Box breathing. Breathe in for two seconds, hold for two, breathe out for two, hold for two. Repeat. Rupesh, a certified yoga instructor, gave it his full stamp of approval.
Networking Is a Skill — Here's How Introverts Can Practice It
Networking isn't about being extroverted. It's about being willing.
Willing to show up. Willing to start the awkward first conversation. Willing to keep practicing even when it feels uncomfortable.
As Rachel put it: networking is a learned skill, just like basketball or public speaking. Nobody wakes up knowing how to do it. But the more you practice, the easier it gets — and the easier it feels.
And if you need a mantra to get you through the door, just remember: you're on a floating rock. It's going to be fine.
About Rachel Perez
Rachel Perez is the Owner and Creative Director of Composion, a one-person design studio specializing in branding, logo design, and website design for service-based businesses in the human and animal health and wellness space. With 14+ years of experience and a degree in Visual Communication, she helps mission-driven professionals connect with the right audience so they can make a bigger impact.
She's also a speaker on networking and introversion, having presented at Phoenix Design Week and the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) National Leadership Conference.
Connect with Rachel:
- Website: composion.design
- LinkedIn: Rachel Perez
- Instagram: @composion.design
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