Starting a business on your own does not mean you have to go it alone. Having your friends and family to cheer you on can mean the difference between giving up and pushing on. It’s obvious that this safety net has a positive effect on your mental and physical state, but even so, it is supported by a gazillion scientific studies.
If your support network is on the lean side, you need to beef it up. Not just so you have support during the tough times, but so you have people to celebrate with when things are going great. So where do you go to make friends these days? Since this is a site for business tips, let’s start there.
Find an entrepreneurial networking group in your area. Start your search on the internet, but don’t stay there. You want to connect with people with whom you can eventually meet up.
For the women, I highly recommend Ladies Who Launch, Savor The Success, and Smarties. They are large networks, with local groups across the country. If money is an issue (yes!), know that you don’t have to be a paid member to attend many of their events. I have met a lot of wonderful women through these groups, and have become friends with some of them.
For men and women, I suggest attending, or even organizing a Tweetup (a real world meeting of people who have connected on Twitter). Click here for tips on organizing a Tweetup. You can do the same type of thing with your Facebook friends, using the “events” feature. You can also do a Google search for entrepreneur networks. I came across the Rural Entrepreneur Network, so trust me; you can find a group that suits your needs.
Besides a general sense of security and belonging, interacting with others leads to personal growth. So get out there and make some new friends and acquaintances. Then, if you ever crawl out onto the ledge, we’ll know it’s to appreciate the wonderful view.
