For the past few years now I’ve experimented with just about every method of coaching and mentoring that is available to solo professional and entrepreneurs. All of them have their pros and cons. But one thing that I’ve come to know for sure is that if you are in your own business, you need a great community of like-minded entrepreneurs around you. Why?
- Running your own business is a solitary endeavor. Decisions are up to you and you alone. You need the perspective of other business owners to round out your own thoughts. The perspective of your employees (if you have any) isn’t the same thing.
- Your own energy waxes and wanes. I’m not talking about the moon or hormones, either. The best business owners know that their own energy has to attract others to them – good staff, great customers, good deals for rents or whatever else. And it is very hard to keep your own energy up where it needs to be without sometimes drawing from the good energy of others.
- Time inevitably puts you in the box. What do I mean by this? When you created your business you did it to put forward a new, not previously done type of business. You felt what you had to offer was unique and special. In other words, you were out of the box. But as time rocks on, your own thinking gets boxed in by the very dailiness of what you do, by your own fatigue, and by the fact that others will emulate you. To keep on re-creating a business that continually pleases and serves your customers, you need to keep yourself out of the box.
- Your ideas, although they are great, can be sharpened and improved by your entrepreneurial community. Simply put, multiple heads are better than one. Here’s a quick example of this. In one of my own communities, a woman had a deal with a book publisher for her very first book. But she was balking about what the publisher wanted to title the book, taking issue with both the main title and the tagline. She brought it up in our next get together, only to find that her adamant opinion was not shared by a single one of us! We all though the title was good and that, furthermore, the publisher knew what would sell much more than the author did. As I pointed out, the author is the subject matter expert but her publisher is the marketing and sales expert for her book. All but one of the entire community basically told her to suck it up. And after she listened to us, she did! She ended up coming all the way back around to what the publisher had suggested, with only a very minor one-word change. Which leads me to my next point about the benefit of being in an entrepreneurial community….
- It helps you get your own ego out of the way, and think about what you offer from your customer’s point of view. Believe you me, you will ONLY be successful if you offer what your customers want and need, not what you in all your wisdom think they need.
I could probably come up with a few more good reasons, but I think you, smart as you are, get the point. It may take a village to raise a child, but it takes a community to foster a solo business. I cannot even begin to list for you all that I have learned from constantly participating in my own communities. I’ve gotten both wonderful, gentle, loving support and a sharp kick in the pants….and both have been beneficial to me. It will be the same for you.
I’m excited to tell you that I’m forming a new community for solo business owners that will offer these benefits ( and more) in just about a month. I’m calling it Private Matters because I’m creating a group to which you can bring your most private thoughts and worries. These deeply affect your business, they matter. So….in a nutshell….Private Matters. It will be small, full of sharp thinkers and dedicated solo business owners, and it will change you and your business in ways that you can only dream of. If you feel you are a good match for Private Matters, you can e-mail me and I’ll make sure you get the application and information.
Meanwhile, keep your business focused on who you serve, what those people need, and how you can best offer products and services that meet those needs. And remember to reach out for community regularly. Both you and your customers will benefit.
(c) Sue Painter
So true – “Think and Grow Rich” talks about the power of the mastermind and I’m beginning to see the power! Thanks
Sue –
Such words of wisdom! One of my favorite quotes is from the late, great Jim Rohn:
“You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time around.”
It is so critical for entrepreneurs – especially solopreneurs – to connect (and stay connected) with other successful, forward-thinking, soulful entrepreneurs for mutual support. It can make all the difference…
Phil Dyer
America’s Entrepreneur Strategist™
http://www.totalbusinesstransformation.com
I second and third what others have said here. The community is so important! Especially for those of us who are entrepreneurs. It can be very lonely otherwise!
Terry
Sue,
You points should hit home for every entrepreneur. One key for success is to surround yourself with others who are successful.
Your new concept will provide this for entrepreneurs who by the
nature of their business are without others to be around who are
in a similar situation as they are.
Mitch
Sue,
This is so true. I don’t know what I would do without my entrepreneurial community of people who “get” what I do and can truly support one another.
I am grateful that we are in an entrepreneurial community together and appreciate your wisdom.
Write on!~
Lisa
I TOTALLY agree, communities are an integral part of the success and motivation for entrepreneurs. I LOVE the energy and connectedness, plus the great support and encouragement being in a community brings.
“Private Matters”….is a perfect name! Kudos to you!!!
Communities are so important for any entrepreneur. I belong to a few myself. They help keep me motivated and focused. I like the name of your new group. Congratulations! I am sure that it will be a huge success.
Sue this is an excellent post. Such wisdom only comes from experience and I’m so pleased you shared it with us. Your group ‘Private Matters’ will be very successful I am sure. The idea is novel and needed! Thanks for sharing.
Lynn Moore
YAY for you, Sue! I think this is a FABULOUS idea for you — PERFECT, in fact. You have exactly the right experience and energy to SOAR in this realm. Your community members will be truly blessed!! MUCH SUCCESS to you! ♥