NEARLY 700 people gathered for a special networking event in central London organised by serial entrepreneur Byron Cole and his wife, former Apprentice star Bianca Miller-Cole. 

Billed as World’s Largest Speed Networking event it also marked the launch of the couple’s third book, ‘Rich Forever: What They Didn’t Teach You about Money, Finance, and Investments in School. 

The couple have both built several successful businesses, and networking has played a significant part in their entrepreneurial success.  

The event was aimed at helping new and experienced entrepreneurs new key contacts that would be useful in building long-lasting, sustainable businesses.  

It was hosted by popular personal finance expert, author and TV presenter Emmanuel Asuquo. 

And the panel of speakers included people who contributed to the book such as former So Solid Crew rapper turned entrepreneur and investor Lisa Maffia, financial advisor Ella Weinberg, award winning property investor  and financial literacy coach for celebrities Debodun Osekita.

During the event both authors spoke about why they wrote the book and what they wanted it to achieve. 

Cole told The Voice: “Our books are always inspired by questions that people are always asking us about. 

“Among some of the questions that kept coming up were  ‘I’ve got money but what do I do with it?’ or ‘I need money, how do I make it? Or how do I keep it?’ 

“So we decided to write the book because we realised that there is a lot of information about money that we are not taught in school such as how to invest your money, maintain a good credit score, the difference between good debt and bad debt and how to create generational wealth. 

“The book also talks about things such as using property and stocks and shares to build wealth. So far, we’ve been getting some great feedback.”

However Cole said he and wife Bianca were adamant that the event would be more than just a book launch. 

“What we really wanted to do was put together an event for like-minded individuals, who are committed to their money, in terms of being rich forever, but who also want to learn and develop,” he said.  

“Over 90 percent of our audience is  Black and ethnic minority, and  mostly women. Bianca and I have some very loyal and dedicated supporters who fly around the world to see us talk. 

“So we wanted to do an event that first of all, celebrated our community. But we also  wanted something more than an event with us speaking and then a question-and-answer panel. We thought ‘How can we create an event that helps people get to that next level?’

“I’m a big advocate of networking and I’ve had some big successes as a result of knowing and connecting with the right people. So we thought ‘let’s combine the book launch with a networking event.”

He continued: “Entrepreneurs and people in regular jobs know that the majority of business or job opportunities are not advertised externally, So networking is a massive opportunity for people to enhance their businesses or careers in so many different ways. 

“One reason why we put the event on is because we know in three, five or ten years’ time, there’s going to be so many businesses formed as a result of our event.”

The entrepreneur did, however, concede that some people may be too introverted to feel at ease in a networking setting.

“I empathise with people who don’t want to do it” he said.  “But you’ve got to do it to get ahead. Once you’ve done it a few times, you will find your own networking buddy, someone whom you connect with and can start going to events with. 

“Yes, online networking platforms such as Linked In are great. But there’s nothing better than a physical connection and meeting new people. Whatever your goal, you can save yourself three to five years by having an incredible network.”