My Experience at the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Summit
I wore my Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses backpack to the airport hoping to be spotted by fellow alumni, and it worked! I met Liz Apodaca from My Attorney LA right at the gate. She had just realized she’d left her phone behind, and I could only imagine her panic. Later, she invited me to dinner with a group of California alumni, but after a five-hour flight, the thought of walking into a room full of strangers made my anxiety flare up. I wasn’t sure I wanted to go at all 😳.
But then I reminded myself why I was attending the conference in the first place: to network.
This trip was a big deal. I was away from home, away from my wife, and had promised myself I’d make the most of every opportunity. When I’m home, I limit my networking to avoid burning out and protect our time together. So if there was ever a time to say yes to an event, it was now. Besides, I wasn’t physically tired, just mentally anxious. And that was not a good enough reason for me to miss out.
Oh, and to make things even more “fun,” I had a giant blister on my lip. You know that feeling when you’re convinced everyone’s staring? I kept thinking, “Ugh, everyone’s going to ask what happened to my lip!” Spoiler alert: no one did. Not a single person noticed or cared. It was a good reminder that most of the time, people are too focused on their own worries to notice ours.
So, before I could overthink it, I grabbed my phone and wallet and headed out the door. No unpacking, no second-guessing! I thought of it like a cold plunge 🥶 unpleasant at first, but worth it once you’re in.
Doing It Anxious Anyway
I didn’t stop myself from feeling anxious. I just did it anyway.
Here’s what helped: I focused on the benefits of showing up.
- Meeting other small business owners
- Networking with fellow California entrepreneurs
- Connecting with other Goldman Sachs alumni
- Having familiar faces for the rest of the conference
And you know what? Once I got there, it wasn’t nearly as bad as I had imagined.
I ran into Jennifer Carter from Oak Tree Learning Center (I had met her at a previous Alumni event), and everyone was incredibly friendly. Not everyone knew each other either, so there was a lot of natural conversation and mingling. Some people had even brought their spouses, which made it feel relaxed and human.
That night ended up being one of the highlights of my trip, and it wouldn’t have happened if I’d let my anxiety make the decision.
My wife actually encouraged me to journal my experiences as they were happening, so I kept an ongoing note on my phone throughout the trip. It not only helped me stay mindful during the conference but also made it easier to reflect and write this blog afterward.
One thing that might come in handy if you aren’t into journaling is our Overcoming Discouragement worksheet. It will help you analyze your thoughts and develop ones that will help you rather than hinder you.
Why Setting Goals (and KPIs) Matters
If you’ve ever talked to me, you know I’m a huge advocate for data. Data drives decisions. It tells you what’s working, what’s not, and whether your actions align with your goals.
The same applies to networking.
Ask yourself before saying yes (or no) to an event:
👉 “Will this help me move closer to one of my goals?” 🤔
If the answer is yes. Go. If not, it might just be busywork.
As Jenny Blake writes in Free Time, it’s better to have actual free time than to fill your schedule with things that don’t serve a purpose.
I often remind clients to take just 1–2 minutes before starting any new task to think about why they’re doing it. That small reflection builds mindfulness and intention, which ultimately makes every action more effective.
The Power of Showing Up
Because I went to that dinner on Tuesday night, I was invited to a breakfast the next morning. Another incredible networking opportunity. It reminded me that not every event has to lead directly to a new client or referral partner. Sometimes, it’s the next event, or the next introduction that makes all the difference.
Networking isn’t just about transactions, it’s about expansion.
Every conversation can lead to a new idea, resource, or connection you didn’t even know you needed.
Anxiety Doesn’t Magically Disappear
Let’s be real, the anxious feeling didn’t just vanish overnight.
On Wednesday, I still felt uneasy. I was attending sessions, chatting with people, but something felt off. Even my wife noticed over a quick phone call. I realized I was going through the motions because I was overwhelmed by the sheer number of people there.
Then it hit me: I didn’t have a plan! 😨
Once I recognized that, I gave myself a mission: find the Regional Alumni Manager for California. Within minutes, I spotted her, introduced myself, and asked if she could connect me with other California businesses. That one action completely changed my energy and focus. Suddenly, I was networking with purpose again.
When Structure Helps
By day three, things felt smoother. The program had structured networking opportunities for each state, which made it easier to connect intentionally. We even had the chance to meet our senators! That structure reminded me how powerful a clear plan can be, especially for those of us who can feel overwhelmed in unstructured spaces.
Looking back, I realized how long it had been since I attended a conference of this size (not since my print shop days). If I could do it over, I’d sit down with my coach beforehand to define goals, map out strategies, and even prepare contingency plans.
What’s Next
I left the conference with incredible insights, valuable connections, and even some meaningful conversations with Rep. Lou Correa’s office and my two senators. But the real work begins after the event.
- ✅ Follow up.
- ✅ Reconnect.
- ✅ Reinforce those relationships.
That’s where most people drop the ball, and where the real growth happens.
This week, I’m following up with everyone I met, tagging a few here, and making sure those connections don’t fade away. Because networking isn’t just about showing up, it’s about what you do next.
What About You?
What upcoming event or conference could you use a strategy for?
If you want help carving out a plan so you can show up confidently (anxiety and all) let’s chat.
