Erika Jones, CFO, CCTAProfit First Professionals · Certified Fractional CFO and Profit First Professional

How to 10x Your Network Instantly

19 Oct 2026 · 1 min

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1:14

In this informal discussion, the speakers explore how mastermind groups can dramatically expand a professional network by providing shared resources such as contacts, partners, and funding opportunities. They reference Dunbar's Rule, which posits that an individual can maintain roughly 150 stable relationships, with inner circles of 30 and 7 close confidants. Recognizing the cognitive limits of managing more than 150 connections, they suggest using artificial support mechanisms—specifically Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools—to keep track of additional contacts (e.g., a 151st person) and thus enable network growth beyond natural capacity.

There's another benefit. It's access to resources. Mastermind members often share contacts, resources, or tools that have been successful for them. This includes introductions to potential business partners, clients, and even funding sources.
A network.
Yeah.
A massive network. So I think it's Dunbar's Rule. There is this concept that any individual human can maintain about 150 relationships at a competent level. I recognize you. I know a little bit about your family and stuff.
150. Sheesh.
That's at max. Then it reduces down to an outer circle. I think about 30 people where I'll recognize you for your birthday. I'll actually come to your birthday. And then there's a 7 close confidants. Like, that's called the Dunbar Rule. I think this 150 max, if I want to expand that network, it's outside my mental capability to maintain that relationship without some kind of artificial support mechanism, a CRM or something like that. But then it's artificial. Now, when I'm coming to that meeting to person 151, I pull up the CRM, like, who the hell is this person?
Like, it's artificial, right?
But if I'm in a mastermind of, say, 10 people for round numbers, 150 times 10, that's 1,500 people if I ran the math correctly in my head here. 1,500 people. You've expanded your network tremendously and they're all close confidants. Now 1 degree of separation.