Workshops, Referrals, and First-Party Data: My Growth Formula

Every so often, a lead gen professional kindly offers to send me a list of leads to help keep my pipeline full. And I always respond with genuine appreciation because let’s face it, that kind of offer comes from a good place. But here’s the honest truth: I’m not in need of leads right now. I’m booked solid for months, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.

Why? Because I’ve built something that works and it’s rooted in first-party data, authentic relationships, and a system I call the NSP: my Networking Success Pack. This isn’t just a clever acronym. It’s a living, breathing framework that combines automation, intentional outreach, and strategic visibility to keep my business thriving. More importantly, it helps generate opportunities not just for me, but for the people in my network too.

Recently, I crossed a milestone that still makes me smile: over 6,000 contacts in my CRM. But these aren’t just entries, they’re real people. Strategic partners. Prospects. Clients. Each one connected to me through referrals, conversations, and the workshops I host. Those workshops, paired with live Q&A, are my favorite way to grow. They let me show up, serve generously, and build trust at scale. And while I’m doing that, my CRM quietly captures the right data in the background turning moments of connection into long-term relationships.

This is what I mean when I say I use CRMs to strengthen human connection in the digital age. I’m not chasing cold leads or playing the numbers game. I’m nurturing a community. I’m building a business that feels good, works well, and aligns with how I want to show up in the world.

Now, to be clear: there’s nothing wrong with lead generation. If that’s your lane, drive it like you mean it. But if you’re someone who values connection over conversion, who sees CRM as a relationship-building tool, not just a sales tracker, then you’ll probably resonate with my approach. If you’re more about volume and velocity, we might not align. And that’s okay. There’s room for all of us.

So no, I don’t need leads. What I need and what I’ll always make time for is meaningful collaboration, thoughtful conversation, and relationships that grow beyond the transaction.

Let’s keep building—intentionally, authentically, and with joy.