Why You Don’t Have to Go It Alone: The Power of Community for Boosting your Business
When running a business you can often feel like a lone wolf. Out in the world trying to survive by yourself. You may have family and friends you can talk to about your business but we know we often feel like we are boring them, and it can become the only thing you ever talk about. Unless they are also a business owner they are also unable to fully understand what you are dealing with and the pressures you can feel. As a small or medium-sized business owner, you wear many hats (often all the hats) and carry the weight of every decision on your shoulders. Having said that, we would suggest that the biggest challenge is not necessarily the workload but the feeling of isolation. When you are responsible for all elements of your business, from strategy to sales, the pressure can become overwhelming. This can lead to doubt, fear of failure, and imposter syndrome. What we have learnt over time is that confidence cannot grow in isolation - it thrives in connection.
Here at Totemo Consulting, we believe in the power of community. We have seen the benefits of surrounding yourself with the right people and how this can be a game-changer for your business.
The Loneliness of Entrepreneurship
The entrepreneurs we speak to often talk about the highs and lows of building a business. There are some really fantastic highs when you get that dream sale, but also incredible lows when you are in the quiet season, or you have an unexpected bill come up you have to find a way to pay for. When speaking to entrepreneurs, we recognise that there is often a sense of loneliness. Especially when you do not have someone to relate to, or the knowledge that others are going through the same as you. The weight of every decision you make for your business is yours, whether it is pricing your product, refining your offering, or navigating sales. There is no predetermined roadmap you can follow. All businesses are different. Without a sounding board, it can begin to feel very overwhelming. Imposter syndrome can sneak in, and all of a sudden you are second-guessing every move.
We can tell you that you are 100% not alone in feeling this way. The isolation many business owners face stems from the misconception that you need to have all the answers. The truth is, no one can be expected to know it all or do it all. We have seen first hand the power of having a support system around you, even if it is just others acknowledging they have been through what you are going through. You are not alone in your experience as a business owner.
The Role of a Supportive Community
It is so important to have a community. Being part of a network or group gives you access to something invaluable: shared learning. When you are surrounded by others who understand your struggles, you are able to gain new perspectives, insights, and a confidence boost that simply cannot happen in isolation.
In these settings, it is not just about absorbing knowledge from others; it is about sharing your own experiences too. When business owners come together to lift each other up and support each other a space is created where business growth and confidence thrive. We want to be able to facilitate this community.
Learning from Others’ Mistakes
We all know that we learn best from our mistakes. Imagine you could avoid some of those mistakes altogether? That is the real advantage of being part of a community. Through open and honest discussions, brainstorming sessions, and collaborative problem-solving, you are able to learn from others’ journeys. What worked for them, what challenges they have faced, and their mistakes.
A community of supportive like minded business owners allows you to see the blind spots in your strategy, from which you can be more confident in your decision making. By working with others you are able to gain a wisdom of collective experience without having to go through the same challenges.
Collaboration Leads to Growth
We have seen first hand that business challenges are definitely not solved in a vacuum. Sometimes, all it can take is a fresh and objective perspective. Sometimes just hearing from someone who has been there before and suggesting a solution you had not even considered is all it takes to solve a problem you may have had for months, even years. That is why we love collaboration. It is where ideas come to life and problems can get solved.
When you work with others in a supportive (and very importantly honest) group setting, you open up space for ideas, innovation, and creativity. We love it because this process builds confidence. As a business owner you are able to start to trust your decisions because you have had the benefit of peer insight.
Accountability and Motivation
Staying productive, especially when it comes to prioritisation and keeping on track, can be hard when you are the only one holding yourself accountable. We all struggle with this especially over periods of time or when times are a bit tougher than usual. This is where a community of the right people can offer key advantages: accountability. When you have got a group of peers following your progress and cheering you on, it is so much easier to stay motivated and follow through on your goals.
With accountability comes momentum. Confidence in your business is able to grow naturally when you have people showing an interest in your journey and supporting your success. We have fortnightly Online Group Meets which you may be interested in for the accountability side of things. Find out more about those here.
Building Confidence Through Connection
Confidence in business can truly be cultivated through connection with others and shared experiences. By engaging with others who understand the journey you are on, the more you are able to grow in both your personal and professional life. This is something we feel very passionately about. The intrinsic link between you and your business. This relationship is so important to consider. Only when you are feeling confident in yourself and your business decisions is your business going to be able to thrive. The community you rely on and build is able to become your go to resource for information, your support system, and your sounding board for future challenges. Having a sounding board is so important. Just having someone, or a group of people to be able to say things out loud to can in itself have huge benefits. We have seen that first hand.
The Value of Long-Term Relationships
Having a strong network and community is not just for the short-term. The relationships you form and connections you build become lasting partnerships, offering continued support as you navigate new challenges on your business journey, through growth and success and if needed through harder times.
Why Business Owners Deserve a Community to Thrive
One thing we are sure of is as an owner of a small or medium sized business you deserve support. That support allows you to build your confidence in yourself and your business, knowing you do not have to do it all alone. SMEs are the backbone of the economy and we want to support you to be the best you can be. It is important to remember that the most successful business owners are not the ones who know everything; they are the ones who know when and how to tap into the wisdom of others. This can be seen from big business, though as an SME you may not be able to employ the experts within your business as they do, you can be part of a community that can provide you this expertise, and provide others with yours.
We have seen first hand that building a strong community around you is key to thriving in business. Whether it is for feedback on a product, recommendations for services like accountancy or graphic design, or just a word of encouragement when things get tough, a supportive network can make all the difference. You never know with your community what can come of it. We have seen strategic partnerships, sales opportunities and more come from relationships like these.
How This Relates Us
Here at Totemo Consulting, the group sessions that we offer, whether masterclasses, networking or other events are all designed to foster this very community. It is not just about learning strategies from us; it is about building lasting connections with other business owners who can challenge, inspire, and support you. We want to be able to help you build your confidence to make decisions with certainty, this can be through discussions and sessions with us as consultants working with you, and with the group of people you meet through our events. Fostering a supportive business community is something we are passionate about.