Why are community and support systems so important for solo business owners?
When I started Unscramble Me, the first time I had ever started my own business, I knew it would be hard. Turning it into a “proper business” was going to be a challenge. What I hadn't anticipated, though, was the huge change from being part of a big, busy team and the downsides of that.
Not having anybody to moan to when I was having a bad day, not having anybody to just talk through an idea with. I wouldn't even necessarily need masses of input, but sometimes just talking it through is all you need to figure out a plan and come to a conclusion. Going around in your own head is just absolutely not the same - in fact, it was making me doubt that I could even do this.
What else? I hadn't realised just working from home constantly would become so monotonous. At first, I thought how brilliant to just be able to cosy up at home, wear what I want (well, from the bottom half anyway), put the washing on while I worked, and all the rest of it. But yeah, it just became so damn monotonous and boring.
And the FREEDOM! Oh, the freedom is brilliant – and also my nemesis! When that new shiny thing or idea turns your head, it's hard not to get distracted, isn’t it? Because, well, you can! And that’s fine if that’s the thing that will help you achieve your goals (better than fine) – but so often it's just something shiny and new and actually, if I had stepped back for a second, I would be able to see that it’s not really something I want to be distracted by.
And you know what? I can't afford to be distracted. Or procrastinate. I can't afford it both metaphorically and financially. I’ve got to make this work – and to make it work, the plans and the planned efficiencies and the projects HAVE TO HAPPEN. Deciding to print a new planner and sell it because it seems like fun – NO! Stop, Litsa! But who’s there to say that to me? Well, at first there was no one. So everything was slower, and more painful.
But now? I have a community. And what I mean by that is, I have my coworking group that meets every week – informal, a chat, sounding boards, a place to get out of the house, people who get it to moan to. They’re the team. And I have a mentor who helps me with the things I find difficult in my business. So many of my solo business owner friends find getting the important stuff done hard. Delivering for clients? No problem – you wouldn’t dream of letting them down, would you? But delivering those “make a difference in the longer term plans”? That can be put off another week.
But can it? Because they are the things that will make a difference to your business – that will mean you can achieve actual freedom. Financial Freedom and lifestyle freedom. Vs going back to the grind. We need to Get. It. Done, team.
If you want to join the team - you can find out the different ways in which I support small business owners, from in person coworking to virtual support and motivation on my website
