I went to a business networking event yesterday… and survived to tell the tale.

Let me paint you the full picture.

In business, everyone loves to throw around this advice: “Get out of your comfort zone.” Sounds simple, right?

Yeah… unless you’re like me an introvert who needs a full mental rehearsal, emotional preparation, and possibly a motivational speech just to call and order a pizza. I’m not even joking. Pizza orders have seen more strategy than some startups.

But here’s the thing I’ve learned the hard way it’s not about whether you like it or not. Growth doesn’t care about your feelings. You just have to do it.

Years ago, I studied this whole “comfort zone” concept. Read about it, understood it, even agreed with it. The idea was simple do the uncomfortable thing, and you grow.

Did I apply it fully back then? Not really. I was more of a bookmark it and revisit someday kind of guy.

But then came a big move.

Moving to the UAE to start my marketing agency, Codixes that was my first real leap into discomfort. No backup plan, no safety net, just vibes and ambition. And that one decision started a chain reaction.

I met Mike Hoff at RAKEZ Compass. We instantly connected. You know those rare moments where you meet someone and it just clicks? That was it. And I strongly believe this

Every person you meet in life is there for a reason.

And now I’ll tell you the reason.

Mike introduced me to a networking event hosted by Wendy Stapleton one of the top businesswomen in Ras Al Khaimah. I did my homework yes, introverts do research like it’s a university thesis, and found out this was one of the best events in the area for connecting with business owners.

So now… I had no escape. I had to go.

Especially if I wanted to meet Wendy.

But let me be honest with you this wasn’t just attending an event.

For me, this felt like preparing for a mission to the moon.

My pre-event thoughts were absolutely wild:

 

• Charge your phone to 100%… just in case you need to pretend you’re busy the whole time.
• What if everyone’s wearing black suits and ties… and I show up looking like a 2010 YouTube comment section, wearing a t-shirt with a cat on it?
  By the way, the cat on my shirt had sunglasses. Better style than me. No competition.
• What if no one talks to me?
• What if I try to talk and my broken English and accent decide to embarrass me in 4K?

At this point, my anxiety had its own personality.

But then… I walked in.

And something unexpected happened.

Within the first 30 minutes, all those fears? Gone. Completely gone.

The energy in the room was different. People were smiling, welcoming, open. No judgment, no awkward vibes just good energy everywhere.

I went from please let me survive this to I’m about to talk to everyone in this room.

And I actually did.

I didn’t hold back. I spoke to as many people as I could, had real conversations, listened, laughed… and for the first time in a setting like that, I didn’t feel out of place.

Honestly, not talking to people would have felt disrespectful because everyone was just so warm and welcoming.

Let me tell you about some of the amazing people I met.

 

My first interaction was at the coffee machine with Daniel Botha, the Marketing Director of The WellSpring Private School. And let me tell you this man didn’t just talk, he helped me get my cappuccino from the machine. A true gentleman. First impression? 10/10.

Then I made my way to the food section because let’s be real, I already knew the food was going to be amazing. I mean, it was Wendy’s event. Expectations were high… and they were met.

There I met Mike Hoff again, along with Stephen Fairhall. Now if you’re new in Ras Al Khaimah, let me simplify it for you:

These two? Must be in your phone.

Mike specializes in finding hidden profit in businesses yes, the kind of skill every business owner wishes they had, and Stephen runs incredible speed networking events and is a real estate expert but not your typical one. His value? Easily 10x.

I’ll definitely be sharing more about them soon, especially since attending Stephen’s speed networking event is officially my next get uncomfortable mission.

Then came a moment I won’t forget.

I met Charlie from XO Productions.

What an amazing personality. And when I found out her company worked on Emirates’ video productions… I instantly switched to full attention mode.

Think about it you’ve probably seen their work while flying Emirates. And now you’re casually having a conversation with someone behind it. That moment hit differently.

When I got home, that was literally the first thing I told my wife. I was proud. Not because of anything big I did but because I showed up and connected.

Then I met Alex from “Who’s Who in RAK.”

If you ever go to RAKEZ Compass, do yourself a favor find Alex.

Within 10 seconds of meeting me, he was already helping me. That’s the kind of person he is. Genuine, supportive, and just someone you want in your network.

Also… small observation:

Either Alex was very hungry… or the food was just too good. Because my man did NOT stop eating.

Honestly, I respect it. We might end up doing a BBQ someday.

As I continued walking around, I saw someone with a big, welcoming smile Adeline Macaraig from Precision Group.

I said hi… and instantly, it felt like we had known each other for years.

She told me about their products, proudly saying, Made in UAE. And you could feel that pride. That kind of passion is rare.

Before leaving, she gave me a small cup which, by the way, is now my son’s favorite tea cup. So thank you for that, Adeline. You officially won him over.

Then I met Mohammed Alshehhi from Qidoh Properties.

Originally from Oman, now building in Dubai which makes perfect sense. Young, ambitious, and growth-focused. Exactly the kind of energy you expect from someone making moves in this region.

And now… the grand finale.

I ended up being one of the LAST people at the event.

Yes. Me.

The guy who almost didn’t go.

I grabbed some food, went up to meet Sebastian Rietveld, said hello, and even offered him some food. At first, he hesitated but after I insisted politely, of course, we got into a great conversation.

Sebastian has spent 15 years doing business in China. That alone tells you the level of experience he carries.

But beyond that, he’s just a solid, grounded professional. We talked about everything business, weather, food, even his experience wearing a kandura he loved it, by the way.

It wasn’t just small talk it was a real connection.

We exchanged contacts, and I can confidently say: if you’re looking to expand into the Middle East with manufacturing or supply from China, he’s someone you need to know.

On our way out, we saw Wendy again.

She smiled and said, “You two are the last ones leaving.”

Honestly, I’m just glad it didn’t reach the point where security had to step in.

But before we left, she shared one simple piece of advice:

Consistency. Just keep showing up.

And that stayed with me.

When I got home, I felt something different.

Pride. Motivation. Fulfillment.

Not because I closed a deal or made money but because I stepped out of my comfort zone and gained something more valuable.

Real connections.

So was it worth it?

1000%.

Will I go again?

Without a doubt.

If you’re a business owner or just someone who keeps avoiding uncomfortable situations take this as your sign.

Show up.

Start by giving. Talk to people. Be curious. Be present.

Because in the end, what you give… comes back.

And who knows?

You might walk into the event planning your escape route…

…and walk out as one of the last people leaving.

Some pics I took… even though I’m not exactly a photography genius, you can probably already tell my skills are… let’s call them ‘creatively questionable.