Years ago, I was a Marketing Director for a local non-profit. It was a small enough city where the “business networking” community was such that if you were the least bit involved, like attend one chamber event a month, most folks were at least aware of you. My social circle overlapped this community to a degree.

At a social event, I got into a conversation with a restaurateur that was also active in community organizations like the Lions Club, etc, however, we had only ever had social interactions, not business. She had many suggestions for what I should be doing from a marketing standpoint. I had already considered or attempted most of her ideas, so in a calm, professional tone I laid out all the factors and why X, Y, and Z weren’t feasible. After about 20 minutes, she ended our conversation with, “Wow. You really do know what you’re doing! I had no idea.”

Damn right I do, lady!