I was introduced to the ‘Six Degrees of Separation Theory’ a number of years ago at a networking event where I said I’d really love to meet Richard Branson.
Someone at the table piped up: “Ooh, I could potentially make that happen but you’d need to travel to his private island off the coast of Mozambique.” Turned out, someone she knew intimately handled his insurance for this specific island of his!
The theory states that you are separated from anyone, anywhere, by six or less social connections.
I can tell you that in Cape Town, the six degrees theory is halved!
The other theory that I love is that you really are the sum total of the five people you surround yourself with.
Both of these bring me to saying this:
You might have an absolutely brilliant business idea, the expertise to deliver that idea but if you’re sitting in the wrong rooms, you’re almost predestined to keep playing small.
And playing small is really not why you got into business is it?
Before I dive into networking groups I belong to/attend and the reasons behind each, I want to give you the three types of networks that entrepreneurs need to be building.
The Operational Network: people who’re in the trenches with you. (Often they’re at the same stage of business as you and you’re focussed on speaking about execution when meeting up.)
The Strategic Network: people who stretch you. (They may at the same stage of business as you, but they’re thinking differently to you. Here you leave the room feeling challenged in the best possible way.)
The Aspirational Network: people who are where you want to be. (It feels scary to be in the room with them but you leave inspired.)
Honestly, most entrepreneurs stick to operational networking and then wonder why they’re stuck!
Here is a list of the networks I either belong to or attend in Cape Town and online. (This is by NO means an exhaustive list of the business networks that are out there, this is my list that I feel comfortable referring entrepreneurs to)
Networks specifically focussed on Female Entrepreneurs
Business Women Network hosted by Marissa Brendel.
Marissa has been hosting monthly networking events for over 10 Years and as you can imagine, has built an extensive network. Her events are hosted monthly, predominantly at venues throughout Cape Town owned by female entrepreneurs.
I love attending her events because I always get to meet female entrepreneurs at all stages of their journey. You could be sitting next to someone on one side who’s still working in corporate but has an idea for a business and on the other side you’re sitting next to someone who’s been in business for 20+ years.
I leave her events with my brain exploding with ideas.
Boss Moms hosted by the dynamo that is Christie Buss.
There are three levels to the networking that Christie offers.
Level One is a quarterly meet-up for around twenty Boss Moms.
Level Two is an online membership for Boss Moms based throughout South Africa that meets once a month.
Level Three is an in-person meet-up pod in your local area that meets up once a month. (This is where the magic happens because you really get to know each other intimately and it’s limited to ten members)
There was NOTHING like this out there when I started to build my business and honestly, it would have made such a difference to my journey. Very few people understand what it takes as a woman to build a business while parenting.
I always leave my monthly pod meet-up feeling like I can take on the world.
The FIND Network hosted by myself and Fi Fitzpatrick.
The truth is that neither Fi nor I could find a network that worked for us so we created our own!
We meet once a month and run two curated events for female entrepreneurs in July and December of every year.
It would feel disingenuous for me to rave about my own network so I’ll share what we are consistently told by the women who attend. This is the network for female entrepreneurs who want to sit at a table with women who are serious about building empires. (Said in a stage whisper: And you NEVER get asked to pitch your business in 90Secs becuase it gives Fi and me the ick)
Entrepreneur networks
Suits & Sneakers hosted by Mark Sham and his team
Mark built a large network in Johannesburg through events and has brought the concept to Cape Town.
They host their monthly events out of The Tryst in Woodstock. The events normally have a speaker and then a networking component.
If you’re looking for inspiration, then this is the network for you. I’ve attended a couple of events that they’ve hosted and have been impressed by the calibre of speakers and entrepreneurs in the room.
The Lekker Network – an international network with a local flavour
Founded about three years ago with one promise: Connecting extraordinary South Africans around the world.
In their own words: 5 Continents, 30 Countries, 700+ South Africans.
I belong to the Global Circle Membership which was launched in July 2026, 200 of us building businesses alongside other South Africans across the world.
I’m finding that for me this network ticks all of the boxes: Operational, Strategic and Aspirational, depending on the people on the call or in the room with me.
I want to end with this quote:
Brilliant entrepreneurs fail in isolation,
Average entrepreneurs win when in proximity to the right people at the right time!
