Entrepreneurs need like minded individuals to learn from and relate to. You can learn an enormous amount from mingling with other opportunity entrepreneurs. This also serves to become a source of profit and revenue too as members of the network pass on lucrative deals that they can't currently take on due to existing commitments.

If you value a network of business associates then there is plenty of opportunity to develop contacts within your own sphere of specialization. Opportunity investment is a vast and broad umbrella term that composes of many different industries. Its true that real estate is what opportunity investors most often specialize in, however even in real estate you are free to specialize in segments like developing land, house rehab, commercial and a dozen other broad categories.

To establish connections within your own sphere of specialization is very advantageous, but they don't have to be opportunity investors to be of value as a contact. For example, I particularly like yacht's and marine assets of all sizes and descriptions. Many from my network are simply knowledgeable and honest sales staff and sales managers of marine brokerages. They often inform me of deals going that are worth looking into. I also belong to several yacht clubs and associations. Often just getting involved in the places assets are occasionally disposed of is a great place to find the opportunities you need to build your bank balance.

However the main point is to specialize and develop contacts within that particular niche.

To develop these contacts its crucial to establish a working rapport that expressly exists to serve both parties. Simply grooming these contacts for long term benefit is your main goal, however social friendships can and often do develop as is the case with my network. I have a loose affiliation with over 40 different individuals and groups that makes it a hectic day even on a quiet day. I have 5 particular friends (including my brother in the group) that meets every weekend on my Cruiser for beers and interaction. Business and pleasure, followed by a round of golf. These particular associates were always friends in the first place so they are very trusted. We all came up together, so a network helped me personally enormously.

Martin Thomas (c)2005