I Went on a Networking Date (or two) and Here’s What Happened.

Right; Darrian Hewlett of Threaded: A Men’s Fashion Week

This is an opinion editorial. 

Delete your Hinge, Tinder and Bumble profiles. There may be a better option for you that has little to do with an app on your phone. 

It’s called Speed Dating – ahem – I mean, Scouting. 

The creator, Urban Academy fashion designer and bestie Sherry Nguyen, created this networking event to occur every other Sunday at Brickwood Barbecue on Main Street for local and emerging businesses to scout prospective models, designers, assistants, volunteers, partners and so forth. Speed Scouting is hosted by different industry professionals within Richmond’s creative scene.

I went to both Speed Scouting events on Feb. 16 (the first Speed Scouting) and this past Sunday. The Feb. 16 Speed Scouting had a bigger turnout than this past Sunday. The first Speed Scouting event had local businesses and organizations like New York Life Insurance, Ryan Azia of the Aziancy, Threaded: A Men’s Fashion Week and affordably luxury fashion brand, Galassi. This past Sunday had another set of local brands and organizations like Urban Academy, Best Buddies International, Coaching Delivered and Extended Studios.

Left to right, Miss Central VA USA 2025 Sofia McDaniel and Miss Richmond USA 2025 Aspen Brown

Miss Central Virginia 2025 and Miss Virginia USA 2025 semi-finalist, Sofia McDaniel, hosted this past Sunday’s Speed Scouting event as the new chair for Richmond’s Best Buddies Friendship Walk of Best Buddies International, which aims to create mentorship, employment and leadership opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. McDaniel’s table was looking for volunteers or sponsors to participate in the annual Best Buddies Friendship Walk on April 13 at noon. 

“I definitely want everyone to come out,” McDaniel said this past Sunday’s Speed Scouting. “It's gonna be a nice little mile walk, hang out and do things with the kids.”

A prospective individual – with their resume or portfolio – looking to be the aforementioned would have only five minutes – although the time is not strictly enforced – to make an impression on the prospective scout. While this is quite intimidating, it is an opportunity for individuals to introduce themselves. 

“This really will encourage people to perfect their elevator pitch, which is really important in industries,” Nguyen explained at the first Speed Scouting event on Feb. 16.

Ah, the corporate buzzword, ‘elevator pitch,’ makes me cringe. The term comes from a 30-second awkward conversation with a person in an elevator by using interpersonal communication skills to introduce yourself. It’s uncomfortable and bewildering, but it must be done!

Ryan Azia of the Aziancy

“Sometimes, some of the best connections we make are brief and then we can follow it up with longer conversations,” McDaniel also said this past Sunday.

The concept of a ‘no-pressure’ networking event is not necessarily unique, considering that many social networking groups have done these types of events in close-knit communities. 

There are people you know and don’t know. There are overly-priced cocktail drinks with swanky names, though I wish there were more options to choose from. What’s not to like?! 

While Speed Scouting provides the usual resources of a social mixer with industry professionals, it’s also a ‘happy hour’ social with those who are already established in Richmond’s hyperlocal community and probably looking for a way to get out of the house. Regardless of the prospective individuals’ intent, it’s just important to stop scrolling on social media and enjoy face-to-face conversations. 

Personally, I do think romance is overrated in today’s economic climate and even Nguyen thinks so, too. 

“I think we should kind of shift our focus on growing our own success,” she said on Feb. 16. “Then, who knows? You may have a lover here, you never know.”

Meet ya in the next Speed Scouting?

— Paula J.P.

Author’s note: For clarification, McDaniel is the chair for Richmond’s Best Buddies International Friendship Walk, not the organization’s board chair.