Building Support Networks

If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.

As a small business proprietor, you probably enjoy moving to the beat of your own drum. But doing everything on your own will keep you from sustainable success, which is why successful business owners have strong support systems. Regardless of where the support comes from, having people to confide in and share ideas with will create the confidence you need to take bold next steps.What Is a Support Network?Your support network can be made up of relatives or close friends. In addition, you should consider including people you have professional relationships with including local networking groups, investors, employees, or former business partners and suppliers.Having a diverse group of people to turn to will create a variety of outlooks and perspectives. Their prior experiences can offer solutions or strategies with a wide range of perspectives you may not have considered. While it’s important to surround yourself with people who can support and cheer you on, it is helpful to have relationships with people who aren’t afraid to criticize you yet also won’t hold back.What Can a Support Network Do for You?Having a dedicated group of people who support you can be helpful in many different ways. They can provide guidance and insight, help bring in new customers by telling others about your company and making referrals, and act as a sounding board if you have new ideas about ways to run your business. In addition, if your marketing campaign for your business fails to capture the attention of the people who are close to you, it probably won’t interest total strangers or potential customers either.How Do You Maintain a Support Network?Here’s the hard part: Getting the support you need often involves swallowing your ego. To build a network you have to accept that you don’t always know the answers, and that you have strengths and weaknesses just like the rest of us. With the right support group though, you will have the opportunity to be honest with yourself, and the people who are in your corner, which will ultimately contribute to the sustainable success of your business.So how can you be certain that the success so far will continue into the future? First, loosen the reigns on your need to control everything, then imagine what’s possible with a team of people supporting your dreams.

Mastery of life is not a question of control, but a finding of balance between human and being.

Let’s build this together.The Women’s Lab: Building Support Networks.September 24, 2017Connecting with successful female business owners, community leaders, success coaches and charity founders through targeted group activities and keynote speeches that will foster collaboration and inspiration to help you achieve your goals.