Running your own business can be a lonely affair at times, almost like being on your own island.
Sure you’re surrounded by employees, vendors, and hopefully lots and lots of customers but often it can feel like you are really the only one who understands the struggles and the triumphs.
It’s as if everyone you come in contact with is on just a slightly different level than you are, and the weight of realizing you are the one that cares the most about your business can leave you feeling isolated.
Reaching Out
If you've ever owned a business I think you can relate. We’ve all been there, and to be honest I’m kind of there right now.
Sometimes you just need someone to talk to who understands what running your own shop is all about, and can empathize as well as give advice.
Help is Closer You May Think
According to a survey of 300 business owners, conducted by SurePayroll approximately 91% of respondents would be open to potentially advising new entrepreneurs who are starting a business.
Why are they so willing to help?
Business owners know what it's like, and they want to help you not make the mistakes they did, that's part of it. The other part of it is the human connection between somebody with a shared experience - help getting you off that isolated island.
8 Ways to Get off the Entrepreneurial Island?
So 91% of business owners are willing to connect, and help you if need be, so where do you find them? Actually, that's the easy part.
Here are 8 ways you can get yourself off that island, and connecting with like minded business people in your area.
Networking Groups
There are loads of great networking groups and ways to get out there and meet other business owners
Just doing a simple Google search for "Small Business Networking Groups" in your town will bring up numerous organizations with the sole purpose of helping small business owners connect.
Here's a sample of what I got for my area "Small Business Networking Groups"
=
Don't forget your local Chamber of Commerce. Most Chambers have monthly groups or meetings designed to bring business owners from the community together. This is a great way to meet people in the same situation you are in.
Meetups
Meetups are great! They effectively bridge the gap between our online and offline social network. A meetup takes your online social network offline, for a face to face meeting .
To find a meetup in your area check out MeetUp.com to search for a meetup in your area.
SBA Support Groups
The small business administration is specifically designed to help business owners. Use their services! Contact your local SBA chapter and inquire about support groups or networking events they may have to offer.
Online
If you're not connecting yet online, you are missing out on a valuable sounding board and resource group at your finger tips. Here are some of my favorite ways to connect with other business owners online.
Twitter – Instant feedback, and easy way to connect with people with similar interest by using the search function to follow other business owners.
Blog Comments – comments on your blog (you are blogging right?) can be a great way to meet like minded people and other business owners. Get to know your frequent comments. Make it a point to keep in touch.
Forums - Establishing a presence on forums isn’t just a sound practice to give your business visibility and demonstrate your authority, they are a great way to bounce ideas around and get feedback.You’ll get instant feedback in the forum replies, as well as make more contacts with others in the same boat as you. Try the Small Business Community Forums to get started.
Informal
Call me "old school" but making it a point to informally connect with the business owners in your community is a great way to get off the island when you're feeling lonesome.
When I go to someones place of business, and have the opportunity, I make it a point to talk to the owner.
Introduce yourself, tell them what you do, ask them how business is. Talk more about them than you - really connect as business people. Doesn’t matter if they are in your niche or not, you’re both on the same team and will benefit from having a relationship with another business owner you can turn to.
In Summary
So while the saying "It's lonely at the top" can certainly be true when you own your own business, you don't need to spend your time isolated on that island.
Business people are out there, and statistics show they are willing to help you out - and sometimes more importantly empathize with you because they are living it too. Use some of the resources above to connect with them.
Now, help me off the island. Share some thoughts in the comments section - I'm getting lonely here!
Can’t visit Small Biz Bee on a regular basis? You can stay up to date by having the latest Small Biz Bee news delivered to you for free via RSS or Email.
For exclusive Small Biz Bee content and offers, sign up for our free newsletter:
Photo Credit: Iujaz [Away from Flickr]
Similar Posts:
- 10 Ways to Market Your Business When You’re Broke
- The Ultimate List: 40 Social Networking Sites Specifically for Small Business, Entrepreneurs, and Startups
- Virtual and Physical Social Networking – A Web of Connections!
- Social Networks, Influencers, and Word of Mouth
- 18 Ways Your Business Can Get Ready for a Rebound!
{ 2 trackbacks }
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
I think that entrepreneurs are open to helping others because it is in their nature: Entrepreneurs are active people who, by necessity, connect with others. No successful entrepreneur got where s/he is without making connections, helping others, and being helped in return.
Great tips!
@Lainie
Exactly. We need to network to be successful! Thanks for coming by and connecting with me.
Matt
Mentoring is another idea. Not only will it keep you from being lonesome–it’ll help someone else and give them the opportunity to glean from your wisdom and shoot for the same success you’re achieving.
Great article, Matt!
Michele
I suppose instant feedback is most beneficial instantly, especially from industry pros. A good glimpse of it is Twitter’s search, there is so much positive and constructive conversation there.
@Michele
Great idea, find mentor groups in your area. I’m sure with a quick google search any business owner could find a mentor close to them.
Matt
@Agent_Luke
Well I appreciate your instant feedback here…and you’re right, Twitter search is the window into the conversation that’s happening right now – so any business owner can join in if they are feeling “lonely”.
Matt
Matt,
I’m actually already doing most of these. I attend IRL networking meetings with professionals from all different industries every week. It’s not only a great way to get new ideas, perspectives etc but can also be a great way to build new business. Regarding twitter well what can I say? Twitter is the future, the possibilities are endless with Twitter.
@Gerald Weber
Weekly meetings, what a great way to keep your finger on the pulse of what’s going on out there. I’m not as good at the offline networking as I should be, I get too wrapped up in my own thing sometimes…but trying to do more of it in the coming year.
Matt
Don’t forget about Twitter – it’s a great way to quickly network and share great information. I use it both to help my customers and also ask for assistance as well.
@Barbara
Yep, Twitter’s on there. Love the instant feedback you can get from it!
Matt
Who’d have thought that succesful businessmen would be willing to help out newcomers (and potential future competitors). I’d imagine that everyone who achieved something learning most of their stuff on their own mistakes would be more inclined to keep that knowledge to themselves. Well I guess I was wrong.
@Dieta
And who better to learn from than someone who has already done it and been successful at it!
Thanks for coming by,
Matt
I think these ideas are great.
my problem is that my business is in another country.
When i am there, there is very little networking with other foreigners.
I guess that is something we should be working on.
i have to see how twitter will work for me