Being a solo entrepreneur or small business owner can be a solitary life. When it’s just you responsible for the whole business (which can include being bookkeeper, marketing department, sales, customer service and janitor) it can feel like there’s no time to engage in business mixers or social events. But getting to know your business community, and getting known in your business community, are two vital elements for enjoying and growing your own business.
This is why Cheryl Young decided to start the Sidney Meet Up Business Network. Operating on the principle that members can learn and benefit from mixing with other entrepreneurs, the group has grown to 61 members and is actively seeking more.
Cheryl knows that having a support network is invaluable, especially when starting out. In larger businesses this is built into your work life through your colleagues; as a solo business person you can look to your peers to provide feedback, advice and sometimes just to listen if you’ve had a difficult experience, or want someone to celebrate your successes with.
Business to business networking is also a great way to share skills. There is always more to learn, and especially when starting a new enterprise it is invaluable to have the resource of someone else’s experience. This means that you need to ask questions of each other. Think of networking as a two-way conversation – you’re not just selling your own business; you can uncover the knowledge base that your fellow business owners have built up. Someone else will always have been in the role that you are in now, and by reaching out and asking questions you may find a solution to a problem that you couldn’t have achieved on your own.
Networking is also a significant means of understanding the business opportunities in your community. Each time you share your skills, you ensure you are more visible as a business. Networking allows connection between what’s available and what’s needed. Make sure that you are recommending your networking colleagues when you hear about opportunities, and they will be doing the same for you. In a small community, word-of-mouth is a crucial marketing tool. It’s not just about making an impression: business owners need to reinforce it through consistently giving the same message.
The Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce awarded Sidney Meet Up with its “Contribution to the Community” award at 2015’s Crystal Awards, recognizing its value to small business owners. By regularly attending the Sidney Meet Up social events and workshops, members expand their range of contacts and their skills too. Learn from your peers and have fun too; members have found the supportive nature of the group nurturing and inspiring.
Visit www.sidneymeetup.com for more info and to join.
