As a first entrepreneur in my family, building a supportive network of people who understand the business world has been essential to my journey, and one of the key platforms I leveraged was LinkedIn. Instead of just collecting connections and aiming to get more people in my circle, I chose to built genuine relationships, even if not as many compared to others. For example, instead of sending generic connection requests, I usually take the time to write personalized messages, show genuine interest in people's work and share thoughts when I have some perspective to add to the table. I actively engage with their posts and provide value whenever I can without asking anything in return. Over time, these connections grow into valuable relationships, leading to collaborations, friendships, and building my reputation as a reliable professional.
Any entrepreneur needs a solid team to help run a business or, at the very least, a co-founder and co-strategist to help lead the way. Without Nancy, my co-founder and business partner, I don’t know how I would have gotten us to where we are today. It’s essential to rely on family to support us, but in running a business, it’s even better to have someone who’s actively invested in the same project. You can bounce ideas off each other, sort priorities more effectively, and lead teams together, translating into better performance and more precise objectives. The other recommendation is to share a common purpose with your support network. We run our company as a business but are primarily motivated by our shared desire to serve women of various experiences and mitigate the symptoms and stigma they experience as they approach a certain age.
Coworking spaces are great but there sure are a lot of them these days. I make sure to buy a day pass to each one in my local area from time to time and go to the local events. Knowing someone who works at each coworking space is such a boon—they invite you for the free days, keep you apprised of networking events, and share the word about opportunities. It's like having colleagues in dozens of fast-growing companies, all sharing the same space.
I focused on purposeful networking during my entrepreneurial journey. Attending industry events and connecting with like-minded individuals was key. At a tech conference, I met an entrepreneur whose startup aligned with mine. We integrated our products, benefiting both ventures and offering mutual mentorship. My advice: Prioritize quality over quantity in connections. Meaningful relationships provide insights and emotional backing. It's an ongoing effort that pays off in mentorship, collaboration, and growth.
Early in my entrepreneurship journey, I realized that the five individuals I invest the most time with have substantial influence over my mental, emotional, and financial well-being. I consciously chose to elevate both myself and my environment and set minimum standards for the people I was spending time with in order to maximize my chance of success. I offer the same advice to my students: your circle has the power to propel you forward or hold you back. The path of the entrepreneur is stressful enough and it’s crucial that you have an environment where you can get feedback, guidance and solace. Self-improvement isn't enough; crafting a supportive environment is essential. Not long ago, I found myself again unfocused and distracted and realized I needed to once more elevate the quality of those I spend time with. It wasn’t easy but today I am rewarded by being surrounded by people who are taking huge steps to 10x their lives and we keep pushing each other forward.
We realized very early in our journey that the strength of our support network could make or break our startup. So we made in-person interactions – events, conferences, meetups, meetings, adventures, whatever – a 'blank-check' expense category. Of course we did it the cheapest possible way, flying economy and taking public transport wherever possible, but the general approach was to treat interactions with other people as priceless long-term investments. 10 years later, it's paid off many times over.
As a woman of color, navigating the business world is different because I'm underrepresented & underestimated in certain spaces. My journey to success has been expedited by finding a community of like-minded leaders who value community over competition, are affirming, & share insights so we can collectively rise. The best thing you can do is find people who have achieved what you're striving toward & build genuine, reciprocal relationships so you can rise together.
Building a supportive network isn't about one-off interactions; it's about consistency. Imagine it like tending to a friendship. You wouldn't meet a friend once and then forget about them for years. In the same vein, after meeting someone, I made it a practice to regularly engage with them – sharing relevant articles, congratulating them on milestones, or even just checking in. This consistent engagement, like watering a plant regularly, ensures that the relationship stays alive and thrives. To any entrepreneur, my advice is simple: Don't let connections go cold. A simple message or call can reignite opportunities and collaborations.
I made sure to reach out to entrepreneurs who could never be: customers, partners, or investors. This way, they knew that when I called I was not going to ask them for anything more than advice or emotional support. It's important and reasonable to pull customers, partners, and investors from a network, they just can't be the only part of the network. The emotional support comes from those who can't provide anything specific, and therefore are just there for advice and friendship.
A business colleague once told me that the key to building a supportive network during entrepreneurship is to make friends with the following people: A person who has been where you want to go A person who believes in you, AND what you're doing more than you do. A person who is at the same place as you in their business (with as big or bigger dreams than you). As a business owner I’ve followed this and found it the key to helping me thrive. Joining a networking group is a great place to start building these connections.
I started attending a local small business group. We med once a month over coffee and snacks. Each week, a different small business owner featured what they offered. Working with other small businesses helped in several ways. First, it gave me friends who could support me in my venture because they'd been there. Second, it gave me a network of referrals. I knew what was available locally and I could share that information with my customers. In return, the other businesses spread the word about my new business. Third, my group helped me figure out the best ways to get permits, pay taxes, and ensure I was in accordance with local, state, and federal requirements.
Engage in Online Communities: It is highly recommended that you take part in online discussion groups, message boards, and communities that are specialized in your sector. You may find similar-minded people to hang out with on the internet through sites like Reddit, Quora, and specialty forums. Contribute meaningfully to discussions, demonstrate your expertise, and establish yourself as a valuable community member. Long-term friendships and partnerships may result.
When I began working in tech I found that many of my friends and family members understood very little about what my company does. Rather than wave this off with a "it's boring" or "eh, it's just a job," I took the time to learn how to explain the technology in an understandable way, using metaphors and illustrative examples. People weren't just engaged—they actually wanted to join up and try this industry out! I was able to add more people to my network through education and, in time, found that some of them learned even more than me in particular niches. Sometimes you don't just have to find the people in your industry—you have to help make them, too.
Ashly Cochran, founder of Revolution Experience Coaching, transitioned from a 15-year career as an education administrator to entrepreneurship. A voracious consumer of content and learning, she sought her coaching certification, engaged with online communities, and even hired a coach to guide her. "Building a supportive network is vital," Ashly reflects. "I utilized all resources available, connecting with like-minded individuals to exchange ideas and foster relationships. Continuous learning and community engagement were key to my success." Her journey from education to coaching, marked by resilience and adaptability, serves as an inspiring example for aspiring entrepreneurs. You can find me here: email: ashlybcochran@gmail.com website: revexcoaching.com tiktok: tiktok.com/@ashlybcochran instagram: instagram.com/revexcoaching Facebook: facebook.com/revexcoaching LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ashlycochran
Focus on networking, but make sure you're doing it in a sincere way. If you want to develop a supportive group to surround yourself with, you need to focus on building genuine relationships with those around you. It's not just about how many people you meet at an event; that means nothing if they're shallow relationships. Each interaction should be a two-way street. If you focus on how you can support and uplift others, you're more likely to be supported in your own time of need.
I joined an EO (Entrepreneurs' Organization) group, which let me connect with like-minded individuals facing the same challenges of building and growing businesses. Through EO, I discovered a supportive network of fellow entrepreneurs who get the unique ups and downs of this path. This network has helped me to stay motivated on my entrepreneurial journey.
Building a supportive network during my entrepreneurship journey in the karaoke machine business involved several strategic steps. An example of building this network was when I participated in a karaoke equipment expo. Through engaging conversations with suppliers and other business owners, I not only gained insights into the latest industry trends but also formed partnerships with equipment manufacturers. This collaboration not only enhanced the quality of the products I offered but also opened doors to new customer segments. I also used social media platforms and online forums to connect with like-minded professionals, both within and outside the karaoke industry. Sharing knowledge, collaborating on projects, and seeking advice from this virtual network provided fresh perspectives and growth opportunities. My recommendation for anyone building a supportive network is to be proactive and genuine in your interactions.
Commenting from the HR side of supporting entrepreneurs and senior leadership teams, I would say that it's just as important to find groups of likeminded people outside of work so that you can de-stress or disengage as a means of avoiding burnout, or focusing solely on your entrepreneurship journey 24/7. Whether that's a gym, a running club or a Meetup group related to your hobby, make sure that you have a support group that will allow you to switch off from time to time!
Join A Local Businesses: When I started my business, I worked hard to build a network of people who could help me by going to industry events, classes, and networking groups. I went to business conferences and workshops to meet other business owners, instructors, and possible partners. For example, you could join a neighborhood business group that held regular meetings. Through these interactions, I made important connections, shared ideas, and got useful help. My advice for networking is that you should be bold and honest. Spend time building connections by helping, sharing what you know, and taking part in discussions. Building a network of people who can help you is a two-way street. When you help others, you often get help in return. Networking not only gives you access to new possibilities, but it also gives you emotional and professional support as you build your business.
Interacting with like-minded professionals offers much-needed engagement and support, and has been a primary tactic for me to build a supportive network. Joining various business organizations and networking groups has allowed me to find people who have gone through similar experiences. Being amidst this encouraging environment has also allowed me to absorb fresh perspectives and receive helpful advice from people who’ve shared my challenges and entrepreneurial mindset.