How to benefit from small business networking groups

Firstly, small business networking can be very different to corporate networking, so let’s get that straight. They can be creative, fun, lively events and because we often put collaboration over competition, they’re helpful. We know how hard it is out there. So small business founders rarely underestimate the power of human connection and female friendship. Sharing fears, gaining comfort and hearing hard won wisdom can be the key factors that change your whole outlook when you’re ready to quit — and helping others can give you confidence too. In short, meet-ups can be like rocket fuel for your business.

• If you’re ever feeling low or like you just want to give up, sometimes all it takes is one chat with like-minded entrepreneurs to change everything.
• Even if you’re not a sociable person, the benefits of pushing yourself to meet other founders face-to-face can be invaluable for your business.
• You can get the kind of golden insight from talking in person in a way you just often can’t online, from people who’ve been there and done it or are going through what you are.

Think about it, it’s why societies are built around community. People have craved human connection since the beginning of time. It’s the glue that holds us together on the path to progression — and here are five ways you can benefit from meeting up.

5 benefits of founder networking

Your community is your comfort blanket. Founders can, at times, feel isolated and stuck, especially since we now do so much more online. So here are some real ‘pros’ of networking…

1. Small business networking groups can stop you feeling alone

There’s a notion that building a small business is a lonely affair — and back when notonthehighstreet was created, believe me it was. In 2006, there was no WhatsApp, Instagram or group technology as we know it today. There were precious few female founded businesses at all, and not many places to turn if you needed a sounding board.

Now there’s really no excuse to find yourself alone. From Facebook to Insta groups, there are so many ways for small businesses to connect — and finding a community could be the closest thing to a silver bullet that you’ve got. One of the greatest joys for me in the pandemic was starting SME: SOS; an hour daily on Instagram LIVE where we brought people together when we needed each other most, and worked through the challenges sprung upon us. I can’t tell you the number of problems that we solved between us — some of which were truly business critical — and we did it.

Do entrepreneurs feel lonely?

If we do, we don’t need to. There’s something special about talking to people on Instagram who you then meet in real life. Yet does it really need to take a crisis to get to know our neighbours? Anyone who’s listened to my Conversations of Inspiration podcast knows I always use the analogy that running a business is like being on a rollercoaster. Well meeting physically allows us to hold the hand of the person next to us as we momentarily scream in fear, and feel infinitely safer with them by our sides.

We get to lay it on the line, warts and all, with people who understand what we’re going through in a way that others can’t. We have such common ground both personally and professionally. If your homelife isn’t stable, it can have a hugely negative affect on your business and vice versa. With other founders, you just get it. If your partner’s having a hissy fit about how much time you’re spending at work, there are others who will give you a knowing nod and that can mean the world when you need that the most.

More reasons for small businesses to network and get together

Meetups aren’t just good for moral support but also for practical advice and tips…

2. You can save time and gain insight by networking with founders

If someone is dealing with an accountant who’s really working out for them for example, you can try them out too. Or perhaps they have tips for a new social platform to try. You get the benefits of your community’s hard-earned, tried and tested wisdom — for free. Plus it’s not just the practical side of running a small business that you can get mentorship on but the emotional side, too. Who can you turn to if you want to understand ‘Mum Guilt’? Or how terrible it feels to fall out with a family member you’ve hired? Our strength is in our community.

3. You get different points of view from different founders

Our Holly & Community Facebook Group hold their Creative Meets-Ups regularly (which used to be in our Work/Shop in St Margarets). Organisers Siân from Robin's Bobbins and Danielle from The Richmond Cake School post an open invitation on the Facebook page. Around 20 people attend from the local area, with a wide range of types of business and diverse, eclectic skill sets and ideas — which essentially means you could be twenty times more likely to learn something you didn’t know before.

How do community meetups work?

The Holly & Co Facebook Group has a different theme each quarter to help focus the conversation and share tips. Siân said, “We’ve started using the Holly & Co Business Advice articles which are a fabulous kick off point. They provide a wealth of inspiration — perfect for drawing on and sparking further discussion.”

Do they share resources? Horror stories? Successes? Absolutely. Siân said, “There’s an open and inclusive environment to the session where everyone is given an opportunity to convey their thoughts, experience and hopes — followed by a ‘speed date’ style look at a case study. In small groups we discuss it and then feed back to the larger group about what we felt particularly worked, areas for improvement and to ask any questions. At the end of the session we reflect on three actionable areas we can try.

What do founders think about small business get togethers?

@Rufensham (who came along to a previous group) said on Instagram, “Loved the morning. Felt inspired and energised walking away… These are just a snapshot of the wonderful community who I feel I have ‘travelled’ with over the past year… who have helped me navigate Brexit and Shopify — and the blessed influencer culture and more — I have learned more from them than any other business group.” And that’s just one example. Different groups will bring different solutions.

Entrepreneur networking groups: why they’re especially good for female founders

There are more reasons we can benefit from founder meetups — particularly for women founders…

4. As female founders, we rise by lifting others

As female founders, it’s not just what we get from building or belonging to communities ourselves but what we get out of helping other women. It lets you see how far you’ve come. It can also be a great way to give back. Thinking about all the people who have kindly given their time and energy to boost my businesses over the years, I always make an effort wherever I can to support others.

There’s also a lot to be said for just laughing together. Us independents know each other’s worlds in a way that nobody else does so you’ll likely blow off steam and that can help reset your approach in a life changing way. I’ve made friends I’ll know forever in this community. It’s given me hope, reassurance and relief when I needed it the most, and a reminder of the power of women supporting women.