I'm in a commission only business that's somewhere between hanging out your own shingle and being an employee. I've learned that when you eat what you kill, you'd better be a pretty aggressive predator. Also that if you ask for help, it will come from some unlikely places. And almost never from the expected places.
If referrals are what you need, I'd reach out to every POSSIBLE relevant acquaintance you've got and ask for them. If you need help with marketing, reach out to marketing people and take them to coffee to ask for guidance. Reach out to people you admire who are in similar positions with their businesses, but five years on, and ask what they did. Find out where the networking hot spots are and haunt them like mad.
I am not an aggressive predator and I'm not sure what my future in my business is going to be. Which is a shame, because it's great in a lot of ways. But it's been a great experience, so i hope you find your stride and more success than I have done.
Best of luck!!
Me42, H40 D12, S8, S7 A revealed: 7/13 Sep 4/14; Agreed to D 1/15
