Success Has a VIP Section—Here’s How to Get In

Rich People Don’t Network—They Build Circles

Author

Blake Hofheins
February 03, 2025 • Reading Time: 6 minutes

A new day means new opportunities; thank you for spending the time to read this.

Today at a glance:

  • Elon didn’t cold email his way to mars—The power of proximity

  • What the secret to networking is and how to leverage it

  • Your next big break has a name — Go find it

Something I liked:

My favorite part about what I do on the day to day as the Director of Player Development for BYU Baseball (outside of this venture) is the travel aspect.

I love everything about it.

Each passing week brings new cities, new faces, and new opportunities.

While in St. George, Utah this last weekend I reflected on why I enjoy it so much.

The answer? I am a superconnector.

In fact, my whole life I have been fascinated by the endless possibilities that networking can bring.

My dad always taught me this:

“Whatever you do in life, maintain relationship bridges… You never know when you are going to need to utilize a connection with someone else to cross the waters and canyons that life has to offer.”

“Your next big break has a name — go find it”

This singular quote is the reason I started The Return on Average. I am hoping to leverage connection to create a room full of like minded people.

I am a firm believer that sometimes in life it is about WHO you know and not WHAT you know.

Let’s take a look at one of the best superconnectors and how they leveraged proximity to rise to the top.

ELON MUSK

Elon Musk’s success isn’t just a product of his intelligence or work ethic—it’s a masterclass in strategic networking and placing himself in rooms where billion-dollar ideas take flight.

In 1995, when he arrived in Silicon Valley, he didn’t just build Zip2 in isolation; he surrounded himself with the right people.

He networked with tech executives, crashed meetings, and even slept in his office to ensure he was constantly in the proximity of decision-makers. When PayPal emerged, it wasn’t just Musk’s brilliance that propelled it—it was his ability to connect with and align himself with other visionaries like Peter Thiel, Max Levchin, and Reid Hoffman.

Their collective brainpower and network turned PayPal into a force so powerful that eBay had no choice but to buy it for $1.5 billion.

Elon Musk didn’t stop there. He leveraged his PayPal connections and investor trust to gain entry into industries where he had zero experience—automotive, space, and energy.

Tesla wasn’t just a passion project; it was a calculated move made possible through networking with engineers like JB Straubel and tapping into the resources of early believers like Larry Page.

SpaceX became a reality because Musk personally courted NASA officials and secured crucial government contracts by proving he wasn’t just another dreamer—he was in the right rooms, with the right people, at the right time. Musk’s empire isn’t just built on technology—it’s built on relationships, proving that success is often about who you know and how well you navigate the power of proximity.

Elon’s story emphasizes the simplicity of connection.

What does that mean for everyday people like us?

  • Shake more hands

  • Meet more people

  • Put yourself out there

Closed Mouths Don’t Get Fed—Start Talking to the Right People

By reading this newsletter and being a part of this community you are already moving in the right direction.

In the near future I hope to expand this community and create in-person events so that together we can overcome the initial friction networking can produce.

If you think this is a good idea or have any insights, let me know.

If you are looking to get further in life, find a business partner, or even create a safety net of people to rely on, try creating one new connection this week.

There are lots of ways to do this:

  1. Host a small dinner with interesting people.

  2. Start a group chat to connect like-minded people.

  3. Send a short, personalized video message.

  4. Talk to people in airport lounges or on flights.

  5. Volunteer at high-value industry events.

  6. Schedule a 10-minute curiosity call with someone.

  7. Offer valuable insights before asking for anything.

  8. Introduce two people who should know each other.

  9. Attend charity events where successful people gather.

  10. Start a challenge and invite others to join.

I have taken no formal pay check for 2 years. Why?

Because proximity is power and being associated with something that is bigger than yourself offers you leverage to open doors you would not be able to open otherwise.

The Secret?

You may be asking yourself, “This seems easy in theory, but might be challenging.”

I’ll be the first to admit, being uncomfortable is the barrier to 99% of the things that we don’t end up doing.

Here is the secret to overcoming that:

Before we will be able to successfully connect with others, we must first learn to connect with ourselves.

This is the secret to becoming a superconnnector and opening the next door in your life through people.

Final Thoughts

Spend the time needed to define who you are, what you want, and where you want to go. If you can create a clear line of sight, your networking direction will form on its own. By doing so, connecting with others will be easy.

I have found it so much easier to connect with others if I am simply able to clearly explain to them who I am, what I do, and who I want to become.

Networking isn’t just important—it’s vital for your success.

Every opportunity, every breakthrough, and every game-changing moment in your life will come from who you know just as much as what you know.

The right connection can 10x your career, open doors you didn’t even know existed, and put you in rooms where decisions that shape industries are made. Without a strong network, you’re fighting an uphill battle—alone.

Think about it: No one builds an empire alone. Musk, Bezos, Jobs—they didn’t just work hard; they aligned themselves with the right people, mentors, and collaborators who amplified their vision.

You can be the smartest, hardest-working person in the world, but if you’re not in proximity to power, influence, and opportunity, you’ll be running in circles.

Your next big break, your dream job, your first investor are all one conversation away. 

The question is: Will you make that connection, or will you let your future slip through your fingers?

Enjoy,

Blake