Originally published in Entrepreneur Magazine

By Jeff Harbach

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When you start a company, there is no shortage of people willing to give you startup advice. The challenge is finding the most relevant and experienced folks to listen to.

But, too often entrepreneurs think small when it is time to reach out for guidance or inspiration. Limiting your contacts to those you can touch —  a friend, someone the next town over or even in the same region — is a huge mistake.

It might feel a bit awkward to reach out across the country or even the globe for an introduction, but as Gregg Horowitt, the co-founder of T2 Venture Creation, says, “Entrepreneurship favors the bold.”

Jeff Harbach is President and CEO of Kauffman Fellows.