In business, as in life, it's often not just what you know, but who you know. Networking isn't just about swapping business cards or adding contacts on LinkedIn. Here's what I've learned about building meaningful business connections — and a cautionary tale about what not to do. For example, during the early days of the pandemic, many companies were scrambling to find reliable cleaning services that met the heightened disinfection standards. Whether you're in commercial cleaning services or the creative arts, investing in authentic, long-term professional relationships will always yield returns greater than any cold pitch ever could.