I know what it feels like to walk into a networking event and feel completely out of place. You scan the room, see incredible speakers on stage, people who look the part, sound the part, and seem to exude success. And then there’s that sinking feeling, the one that whispers, Do I belong here? Do I have anything valuable to offer?
This feeling of not being enough was what sparked the idea for HubDot. In 2012, I started something different, something that flipped traditional networking on its head, because I was tired of spaces that made people feel like they had to prove their worth through titles, job roles, or achievements.
A New Way to Network
I grew up in Napoli, south of Italy, a place where human connection is everything. The streets are filled with people talking, sharing ideas, and inspiring each other, not based on status but on story. I wanted to bring that feeling into the world of networking.
I found myself at a crossroads in my career, seeking new possibilities. Traditional networking events left me feeling disconnected and disempowered, dominated by hierarchy and superficial labels. Frustrated by this lack of genuine connection, I set up HubDot with a vision to redefine networking and bring people together in the style of an Italian Piazza.
So, I sent an email to every woman I knew, friends from music, the corporate world, my mother’s friends at school. I invited them to my kitchen table in London and introduced a new way to connect. I didn’t want networking to be about job titles or seniority. I wanted it to be about what truly matters, who we are, what drives us, and where we want to go.
On 24 June 2012, HubDot was born. And with it, a movement that has since connected thousands of people across the world through the simple power of storytelling.
We Are Tired of the Traditional Way of Networking
For so long, networking has been about impressing others rather than truly connecting with them. You’re expected to enter a room, shake hands, give a rehearsed pitch, and hope you leave with a useful contact. But this often leaves us feeling like we need to prove our worth, like we have to fit into a mold rather than show up as our authentic selves.
The truth? The most powerful connections happen when we drop the facade and share our real stories.
That’s why at HubDot, we’ve created a networking model that isn’t based on job titles, LinkedIn profiles, or professional hierarchies. Instead, we use something revolutionary: Five Dots.
What sets HubDot apart is its unwavering commitment to embracing vulnerability and facilitating genuine connections. By removing barriers and encouraging people to share their stories, HubDot creates a leveled environment where everyone can feel seen, heard, and valued.
The Five Dots: A Networking Revolution
Our Five Dot system is a simple but powerful way to help us navigate networking in a way that feels natural and empowering. Instead of asking, What am I getting out of this for myself? why don’t we start with, How can I help you? Generosity is addictive—trust me.
At any HubDot event, you choose a Dot that reflects where you are in your journey:
- Red: I have knowledge to share
- Yellow: I have an idea, I need help
- Green: I’m here to be inspired
- Blue: I am here to make connections
- Purple: I want to tell you about my story
By choosing a Dot, you immediately signal your mindset, not your status. It levels the playing field and opens up real, human conversations where connections are made based on values, dreams, and experiences, rather than résumés. Our networking is about talking about the endless possibilities ahead of us as we let go of the labels that do not serve us anymore.
And it works. I’ve seen people launch businesses, find investors, discover new passions, and forge lifelong friendships, all because they felt seen and heard in a way that traditional networking never allowed.
My Top Tips to Network in a Way That’s Empowering
- Start With Your Story
Forget the pressure to have the perfect “elevator pitch.” Instead, think about what truly excites you right now. What are you working on? What challenges are you facing? What’s inspiring you?
When you start from a place of honesty, conversations become richer, deeper, and more meaningful. And you’ll be amazed at how many people resonate with what you’re going through.
- Be Open About What You Need
So many of us feel like we need to present ourselves as already successful in networking spaces. But the real magic happens when you share what you’re looking for. We call this the ask and the offer, the bartering at our Piazza-style events.
Need advice? Say it.
Looking for a collaborator? Ask.
Unsure about your next step? Let people know.
When you’re open about your needs, people will naturally want to help you, because we all know what it feels like to need support.
- Stop Worrying About “Looking the Part”
The biggest barrier to confident networking is the fear of not being good enough. We worry about whether we sound smart, look polished, or seem interesting enough to others.
But the truth is, the most magnetic people in any room are the ones who show up as themselves. Authenticity is what makes people remember you. It’s what draws them in and makes them want to connect.
- Listen More Than You Speak
Some of the most powerful connections come not from talking, but from truly listening.
When you give someone your full attention, when you lean in, ask questions, and genuinely care about their story, you create a space where real trust and relationships can form.
And here’s the secret: people will remember you not for what you said, but for how you made them feel.
- Find Networking Spaces That Feel Right
Not all networking spaces are created equal. If traditional networking events leave you drained or uninspired, find communities that align with your values.
At HubDot, for example, we host monthly events that are open to everyone. There’s no membership fee, no pressure to sell yourself, just a space where you can connect with like-minded people in a meaningful way.
The Future of Networking Is Human
I believe that the future of networking isn’t about status or job titles, it’s about human connection. It’s about creating spaces where every person, no matter where they are in their journey, feels valued, empowered, and heard.
HubDot is proof that when we come together to share our stories, magic happens. Ideas take flight. Dreams turn into reality. And most importantly, we remind each other that we are enough, just as we are.
So next time you walk into a networking space, take a deep breath. Forget about the need to impress. Instead, ask yourself:
- What do I really want to share today?
- How can I be open to others?
- What feels most true to me in this moment?
And then, simply start.
Your story matters. And the right people will hear it.
Join us at HubDot. Our events happen every month, and they’re open to all. There’s no membership, just a community of incredible people waiting to meet you.
Because one connection
can change your life.
Through the power of human connection, HubDot is championing cultural integration, one story at a time.
Ciao!
Simona
Visit www.hubdot.com /@hubdot/ to find out more. We’d love to welcome you into our circle.
