Entrepreneur + Community = Empowerment 

How I learned that just because I started my business alone that I am not all by myself. 

If you have started a business as an solopreneur, you probably know just what I mean. You had a great idea, you fleshed it out with a business plan, you told your friends and family, and you revised your plan a few times. Despite your enthusiasm for your idea, your “circle” may not have been as enthusiastic as you were for your business plan. Or maybe they were outwardly over the moon about it, but you could tell they didn’t quite get it.

I found out that the people closest to me in my personal life were not the support environment I needed to move my business forward. The bank could have been more help, but I decided to self fund as my operating costs were essentially my costs of living. What I did need was to find the kind of Startup Community that Brad Feld talks about in his book. It ended up that I connected with some of the best communities that an entrepreneur could hope for. I also connected with a few that were not much help, but I soon bolted from them.

My first move was to join up with a local group of entrepreneurs just like myself. Small Business Connect is a group in Barrie that meets weekly for an hour. Not complicated, no egos, lots of laughs, good learning opportunities. Made some friends, got the lay of the land in the area, great stuff. Free to join and attend, but not necessarily a place to go to generate sales leads. Great way to make connections in the community however, and it led me to some great mentors in the community.

Joined a couple of Chambers of Commerce. Much more formal than the SBC group, there were many connecting opportunities, fringe benefits and chances to play a role in the community. Also tried referral networking groups that are highly structured, attendance is high priority, and lots of pressure to pass leads to other members. I felt like I was suffocating in these groups, and bailed.

I was able to connect with a few Coworking groups in the community. Working side by side at hot desks, I was able to get help on projects I was working on, meet influential people in the community, learn about my craft from others that had more experience practising it, and partner with some people that would have otherwise been my competition. Not to mention I got out of the house and became more productive and inspired by the others around me.

The best community that I joined however was Startup Canada. a non-profit group of entrepreneurs like myself, and the community gave me the opportunity to show off my talents. I was challenged, I was engaged, and working with a group of people across the country with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and talents. I volunteered for this community, but at least I did not have to pay to be part of it. My freelance writing portfolio grew, I attended some great events, and learned a great deal. I still work with Startup Canada from time to time, and will always benefit from being a part of that team.

It is not easy to run a business alone, and in most circumstances there are many opportunities to connect with a community that can help your Startup if you know where to look. Besides the communities that I mention above there are service groups like Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs and groups like Toastmasters International. No matter what communities you choose to connect with to grow your business and improve your life, make sure that they help move your business and personal life forward. Make friends, build your career, learn and have some laughs. Your community might be around the corner or across the country.