I survived the RAK Business Group event… barely.
And instead of going home and hiding like any sensible introvert would, I signed up for another challenge right after the RAK Speed Networking event. Yeah!!!
Now, I had no idea what I was getting myself into.
As an introvert, I usually rely on disappearing into corners, checking my phone, or pretending I’m observing the room. But this? This was different. There was no hiding. No escape plan. Every 3 minutes, a bell rings and you have to talk to a new person.
So I made a deal with myself
If I make it to the very end without running away halfway through… I’m rewarding myself with something big.
Like unlocking a new level in a game.
The Morning of the Mission
I woke up, got ready, and for some reason decided to wear my Batman T-shirt. It genuinely felt like I was heading out to save Gotham except Gotham was my fear of talking to strangers.
The event started at 9 AM, and it was about a 35–40 minute taxi ride. I left home around 8, mentally preparing myself the whole way.
When I arrived at Manar Mall, of course, the taxi dropped me at the wrong gate. Classic.
So there I was, slightly lost, asking a security guard for directions to MADO Restaurant. Shoutout to that guy he saved me from wandering around the mall like a confused tourist.
First Impressions
When I finally reached the restaurant, I saw people already there and immediately thought, Great, I’m late.
But then I met Mike and Hannah, and they told me Stephen the organizer wasn’t even there yet. For a brief moment, I felt victorious like I had beaten the organizer to his own event.
That victory lasted about 10 seconds… until they added, Oh no, he was here earlier he just stepped out and will be back.
Alright. Fair enough.
I also ran into Sebastian, who I had met at the previous RAK Business Group event, and we chatted a bit. That helped calm the nerves seeing familiar face made a difference.
The Event Begins
At 9 AM sharp, we were asked to sit down.
And this is where things got real.
Here’s how it works
You sit across from someone. You each get about 90 seconds to introduce yourselves. Then ding! the bell rings, and you move to the next seat and start all over again with a new person.
Every 3 minutes.
No breaks. No hiding. Just constant conversations.
The Secret No One Tells You
Okay, I’m about to share something I wish I knew earlier.
If you sit in the first chair, you don’t have to move.
Everyone else stands up and rotates every 3 minutes, but you? You just sit there like a king, and people come to you.
Kareem figured this out. While the rest of us were doing musical chairs every 3 minutes, he was just chilling in one spot, having people rotate in front of him.
So yeah… if you ever go, try to grab that seat.
And side note: be nice to Hannah she might be the one assigning seats.
Sorry, Stephen. The secret had to be revealed.
What It Was Really Like
Going in, my goal wasn’t to find clients or make quick sales. I knew that mindset wouldn’t work for me.
I went in with one simple intention
Meet people. Build relationships. Get comfortable talking.
And honestly, that made all the difference.
The format itself is kind of genius. In about 1–2 hours, you meet around 20 people. Think about that where else can you connect with that many professionals in such a short time?
I spoke with people from all kinds of industries restaurant owners, event organizers, real estate agents, construction professionals, tourism, retail, consultants… it was a mix you wouldn’t normally find in one room.
And now? I actually know people in those fields. If I ever need help, advice, or a connection I know who to call.
The Biggest Challenge
Let’s be real the hardest part was just showing up and staying.
There were moments I thought, I could just leave quietly… no one would notice.
But I didn’t.
And by the end of it, something shifted. Talking to new people didn’t feel as heavy anymore. I wasn’t perfect, but I was better than when I started.
The Biggest Takeaway
For me, it wasn’t about business deals or immediate results.
It was about confidence.
I walked into that room as someone who struggles with networking… and walked out having spoken to 20 people.
That’s a win.
I also met some genuinely great people along the way
Dee Al Barwani
The legend herself Oman’s first scuba diver basically aquatic royalty. Famous not just for diving, but for casually squaring up with sharks like it’s just another Tuesday.
Kareem
The man who builds things literally. Runs a construction and maintenance company in Ras Al Khaimah, turning just an idea into wow, that’s a nice house.
Rachel
Sports massage expert and part-time miracle worker. If your muscles could talk, they’d be writing her thank you notes.
Tamara
Co-captain of the scuba empire with Dee. Runs a diving company and probably knows the ocean better than most fish do.
Inas
HR powerhouse with a resume full of how did you even pull that off? projects. Keeps everything and everyone running smoothly.
Sagarika
B2B event mastermind and professional chaos coordinator. Corporate summit, product launch, or we need to impress clients yesterday situation? She’s locked the venue, briefed the caterer, and drafted the run of show before you’ve even opened PowerPoint.
So these people I probably wouldn’t have met otherwise.
Would I Recommend It?
Yes, especially if you’re just starting out with networking or trying to push past your comfort zone.
It’s not easy. It might even feel overwhelming at first.
But if you stick through it, you’ll come out stronger, more confident, and with a whole new network of people you didn’t have before.
And who knows… you might even unlock a new level of yourself along the way.
