"How did you get where you are today?" At public speaking events, this is the most frequent question young professionals ask former Ontario politician David Tsubouchi and governance and communications consultant Marc Kealey.

The answer: it is impossible to succeed alone. A friend once said, "A better network equals a better net worth." This is not to say networking is purely transactional or about how many people one knows: networking is about building relationships based on mutual respect and trust so everyone involved can thrive.

Tsubouchi, Kealey, and 18 other accomplished and prominent Canadians have come together to share their stories and advice on networking for success. They represent people from different sectors who started with nothing and faced more barriers than others because of their gender, ethnicity, and/or immigrant status. From entrepreneurs to executives, their experiences show aspiring networkers the true meaning of perseverance and how they can make networking opportunities fulfilling experiences.