Robin Randall, an advisor with TriDelta Financial Partners in Creemore, Ont., knows that networking in a small town means becoming active in the community.

“When you’re part of the community,” he says, “it’s a lot easier to let people know what you do than it would be by making cold calls to strangers.”

Randall meets people while golfing, skiing and playing tennis and has joined private clubs to pursue all three of these recreational passions.

Randall also runs a property-management company, through which he assists people who don’t live in Creemore full-time but who need work done on their properties in Creemore. If they find it difficult to get the work done, he can step in. This is another source of contacts.

“Relationships are more personal,” he says, “and it’s a lot nicer to deal with people you already know than going out and knocking on doors where the refusal rate is 96%.”

Randall’s wife, Catherine, owns a bookshop in town called Curiosity House Books and Gallery and teaches yoga. Her activities also lead to introductions.

“It’s wonderful to live in the country,” Randall says, “ and have a professional designation.” — JADE HEMEON