We can all empower other entrepreneurs through community!
This month, we’re focusing on empowerment and overcoming setbacks as entrepreneurs. It’s a topic that’s near and dear to my heart, as it’s a big part of Unit 25’s mission. The icing on the cake is that next month, the first annual Global Women’s Empowerment Convention is happening, and I’m blessed to be speaking at it! I’ll be talking about using outsourcing and growing your business throughout June, and we’re going to kick things off by chatting about how we can empower our fellow entrepreneurs through community and camaraderie. First things first…
Entrepreneurship can be lonely
If you’re an entrepreneur or small business owner, you already know this. Running a business or freelancing is often done in front of a computer with little or no face-to-face interaction. While it’s an introvert’s dream come true, even the most hardcore introverted entrepreneur can still get lonely!
To combat this loneliness, we need to embrace community. I’m not talking about just online, but offline as well. You can find local communities through Meetup.com, asking around online (ironically), and so many other ways.
Don’t get me wrong, though: online communities are great too! Some of my best business friends have come from Twitter chats and Facebook groups. We’ve formed smaller, more intimate mastermind groups together and connected more ‘face-to-face’ via video chats. While it’s not quite the same as local face-to-face meetings, it’s almost as good, and you can make a fantastic variety of friends all across the world this way!
Community can make all the difference
Wherever you establish community with fellow entrepreneurs, it can be a key factor for your business success. When business gets slow, a client gets nasty, or you just generally get discouraged, a community can lift you up. Having the encouragement of people who actually know where you’re coming from is so much better than your great aunt Martha telling you that you can do it, right?
While our friends and family mean well, unless they’re also a small business owner, they probably don’t quite understand. Being stressed in a 9-5 job is different than being stressed as an entrepreneur when your entire livelihood is on the line! This is why having a supportive community around you is so crucial.
If you’re feeling disheartened about your business and you don’t have any established entrepreneurial friends, get on that, girl! Join a few Facebook groups (I’ve got a great list here!) and post a call for encouragement. You’ll be amazed at the outpouring of love and encouragement you’ll receive!
We can empower each other through community
Community has always been a huge element in my business. Even before I started Unit 25, I joined in on the #createlounge Twitter chat (which is Wednesdays at 8 pm EST, by the way, if you want to join us!). I met two of my best business friends, Nikki from Fables and Fauna and Emily of E.L. Scott in the #createlounge Twitter chat, along with other great entrepreneurial and creative friends. Earlier this year, I met Ashley Schackow in an entrepreneur Facebook group and we became friends. She invited me to join her own female entrepreneur empowerment group on Facebook and to speak at the Global Women’s Empowerment Convention.
I’m so excited about the convention, and I want to invite you to join me in both the Facebook group and Global WeCon! The virtual convention will empower you in five key areas: Health, Growing Business/ Entrepreneurship, Relationships, Self Confidence/Improvement, and Spirituality.
By the way, if you’re looking for entrepreneurial communities, here are a few that I frequent on Facebook:
- Female Entrepreneurs: Empowerment & Connection
- Online Business BFFs
- Being Boss
- Creative Superheroes
- The Creative’s Corner
- The Creative Potential
- My Pro Blog + Biz with Erika Madden
- The Badass Solopreneur Society
- The Fox Den
- Blog Beautiful
I’d love to see you in these groups! They’re supportive and you can get some great feedback, tips, and community there.
