How genuine connections create the best stories

As I’ve moved from market to market, I’ve grown more comfortable with networking. I can attest to the fact that it can feel very unnatural at times to go up and talk to strangers, but as a journalist I’ve found it to become very valuable.

About a year ago I was attending a networking event hosted by the Midlands African Chamber. We went around the room to introduce ourselves and share what we did for a living. After my introduction and a few others, a man named Rodney Bennett stood up to speak. He shared how he was starting a business venture and one of his products was dedicated to the person who donated a kidney to him. He shared that because of this donation, he was able to have a second chance at life and wanted to use his business (SunFlare Brand Company) to pay it forward.

In that moment I’m sure he didn’t think anything of this being worthy of media attention. But I did. At the end of the event I made a beeline to find him and let him know that I really wanted to tell his story. So, we made the connection and set things up.

In our interview he shared that he was on the search for his donor family. Through a letter, he wanted them to know that their loved one was making a tremendous impact even after their passing.

We also had an opportunity to watch his process of creating candles. It was really awesome to see!

(The first story I did on him is below)

Fast forward to now.

Rodney participated in the Midlands African Chamber’s Pitch Black competition, where he won a cash prize and other resources to support his business. We connected there since I was the event’s emcee.

And recently, Rodney reached out to me with exciting news that not only did he find his donor family (they wrote each other a letter), but he also made it to his five-year anniversary of his kidney donation.

He invited me to join him as he gave out candles from his business to the medical providers who cared for him. It was truly an honor to see this story through.

Not only that, but his story helped bring awareness to the need of kidney donors and the process that it takes to potentially connect with a donor family. As Rodney told me, sometimes recipients hear back from them and sometimes they don’t. He was very grateful to be one of the ones to get a response.

I know that networking can be tough. Stepping out of your comfort zone and breaking out of your shell can be hard. BUT… you never know what you’ll discover on the other side of that “hello”. It could end up bringing you one of the best stories you’ve ever told.