The landscape of networking opportunities has vastly changed over the last few years as companies have started to take notice of the extreme value and accessibility of social media. Instagram and Facebook are no longer just outlets for personal connections; they’re also an extreme force of professional networking.

These outlets give an accessible and painless platform for entrepreneurs to find each other, get connected, and share their ideas. In the past 24 months alone, social media networking has given me the opportunity to connect with branding and marketing giants like Grant Cardone, Gary Vaynerchuk, and Tarek El Moussa. Each of these connections has helped to provide Rockstar with inspiration for innovation by looking outside of our own industry and discovering what ideas we can bring over to keep ourselves on top.

Ideas proven in one industry can feel revolutionary in another because no one has stepped outside of their own box to learn about them, but stepping outside your comfort zone is the lifeblood of innovation. Networking outside of your bubble is key to staying above the competition.

We’ll be doing an article series on the different professional connections that Rockstar has made over the past two years and how, while each was found outside of our industry, they provided us the inspiration for innovation that has contributed to 17 city, state, and national awards, two years on the HBJ Fast 100 list, and four properties in the Elite Top 1% in resident satisfaction.

As you’ve heard me say before, your network is your net worth, and anyone you can add to your list of connections is an asset to your personal and professional growth.

Next week’s articles are going to outline the secrets to our success, but the true secret doesn’t lie with having the idea itself; it’s all in the execution!

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