Episode 015 - Conversation with James West

Welcome back to Halftime Huddle – the midweek moment where small business owners pause, reflect, and recharge. In this episode, host Mark Webb sits down with James West, co-founder of ONLE Networking, to explore relationship-first networking, accessibility in business communities, and why 8 people actually equals 1,200 connections.

James West is a former journalist turned networking entrepreneur learned that treating people well before you need them always pays off. In this conversation, you’ll hear honest, practical stories about his journey from unemployed to building a thriving online business network, the mental health lifeline networking provided, and why curiosity beats pitching every time.

The “Married on Second Date” Networking Mistake – James explains why asking people to buy before they know you never works. Hit-and-run networking fails because people need to validate who you are before they’ll work with you or refer you.
Dunbar’s Number Strategy: Why 8 People = 1,200 Connections – You don’t need to meet 1,000 people. James breaks down the mathematics of smart networking: 8 genuinely engaged people × 150 connections each = 1,200 potential second-degree connections.
Online Networking is More Accessible Than You Think – Who’s missing from in-person networking events? Working parents, full-time carers, introverts, people with disabilities, and anyone more than 20 miles away. James and his wife Kelly built ONLE specifically for people who can’t attend traditional events, including themselves as carers for their special needs daughter.
Mental Health and Meaningful Connections – In a vulnerable moment, James shares how networking saved his mental health during a difficult period as a solo entrepreneur. The meaningful connections he found in his networking group became his lifeline when he felt isolated and bereft. Running a business is tough, and genuine community matters.
Curiosity as a Networking Superpower – Stop pitching and start asking questions. James’s journalist background taught him that genuine curiosity about people opens doors that sales tactics never will.

“Flip It” by Michael Heppell – James credits this book with helping reshape his worldview during difficult times. The core premise: if the same event happens to 100 people, why don’t they all react the same way? It’s about how you position events in your mind.

“The Mamba Mentality: How I Play” by Kobe Bryant – Not about the flash and fame, but about learning to enjoy the process – even the hard parts like ice baths and overtime games. If you can learn to enjoy the worst bits of what you do, that’s when you’re winning.

“We ask people to get married on the second date. Hi, you don’t know me. Do you want to buy this thing for 3000 quid?”

“The best way to get attention is to give it.”

“At a time when my mental health was really poor, networking was the one time I actually felt all right.”

James West with his wife and co-founder Kelly, (whom he met at a networking event) founded of ONLE Networking (Online Networking Live Experiences), a thriving online business network built on the principle of relationship-first connections. A former magazine journalist and editor, James transitioned into networking after losing his job.

Connect with James West:
- Website: https://www.theonlenetwork.com/
- LinkedIn: James West LinkedIn profile

Hosted by Mark Webb, Halftime Huddle is your weekly midweek motivation for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Each episode offers open conversations, practical insights, and real-world inspiration from people actively building and growing businesses every day.

If you enjoyed this episode:
1. Share it with a friend
2. Leave a review
3. Subscribe for more midweek conversations
4. Reach out if you’d like to be a guest -> podcast at agamers.co