The one thing that 3x-ed my business overnight
Hint: It's not what you think it is.
The transition from corporate world to entrepreneurship is really unique.
When I worked in a corporate setting, I always created amazing teams of people that I genuinely loved spending time with and deeply respected. So going to work felt fun and meaningful. There was also a built-in schedule where we’d see each other, have meetings, strategize, etc.
When I moved to entrepreneurship, I felt the unstructuredness of being my own boss, and more than that, I felt the loneliness gap of not having a team. I didn’t have a group of people I could talk to, process with, build with, bounce ideas with, or do the work with.
My business felt a sense of… emptiness. Even though I loved the work I was doing and the individuals I served.
The emptiness/loneliness had nothing to do with the amount of people interactions I had, because that was happening. I had a full client roster and my own coach that I engaged with almost daily. For the first time ever, I actually had a lot of time to see friends!
But something more was missing for me: a peer community of business owners. Not just for support but for expert referrals for my own prospects and clients.
I craved a support system of individuals who understood what it takes to bring an idea to life (and then pay taxes on that idea and scale it). People who understood what I was up against and who were with me in real time.
So what’s the one thing that 3x-ed my business? Creating a community of founders for myself. Made up of friends, true peers, comrades. People I would be honest with and share my insecurities and struggles. People I could call on for expertise and advice. People who weren’t trying to sell me, use me, or otherwise be utilitarian.
To be transparent, I kept my distance from other business owners for a while because I had an (incorrect) idea that there might be some sort of competition between us. Or, even more honestly, it felt too vulnerable to share the struggles and questions I had behind the scenes of my business.
When I finally decided that there was no shame in the behind the scenes, those relationships changed everything.
If you’re a female founder and you’re looking to do the same, I have an absolutely incredible community here on my Substack paid membership. There’s a monthly live Zoom Masterclass where people share, get tools and direct business support, and get to share their programs, products, services, and contact information.
People are showing up for each other’s events. People are forming collaborations. And people are hiring each other.
The next master class is on Thursday, May 14. It’s about “How to 10x your Business” (by 10xing your thinking). I hope you will consider joining and expanding your network and your heart.
Rooting for you and all that you’re creating,
Sarah
P.S. The thing that turned my business into a 7-figure+ business was working with a business strategist individually. If you want to explore that, book a call with me here.
