Most people think a good coffee is the work.
It is not. The coffee is the permission slip. The work starts after both of you return to your inboxes.
Two people can have equally good conversations with the same operator, investor, or hiring manager. One sends “Great meeting you, would love to stay in touch.” The other sends a useful note, makes a small move, and resurfaces at sensible intervals.
Six months later, one is a name in someone’s contacts. The other gets invited to the small dinner, hears about the role before it is posted, or receives the text that begins, “You came to mind.”
That difference is follow-up.
Relationship capital does not compound because you had a memorable conversation. It compounds because you gave the relationship somewhere to go afterward.
A few months ago, I had coffee with an early-stage founder who had met a well-connected product leader at an event. He wanted advice on hiring a first head of growth. She had been generous, asked sharp questions, and mentioned …
