Having the Support You Need: Why Community (and the Right Consultant) Can Change Everything
Somewhere between “I’m so excited to start this business” and “why am I suddenly Googling ‘how to do taxes’ at 11:47pm,” most entrepreneurs realize the same thing:
Doing it alone is wildly overrated.
And it’s not just a feel-good idea. Research consistently shows that social connection and support are powerful predictors of resilience, performance, and follow-through—especially when the work is stressful, uncertain, and deeply personal (hi, entrepreneurship). The American Psychological Association highlights that positive social support buffers stress. And the U.S. Surgeon General’s advisory on social connection links loneliness and isolation to serious health outcomes (and yes, that bleeds into how we show up in work, leadership, and decision-making).
So if you’ve been feeling isolated, overwhelmed, or like you’re carrying the mental load of your business by yourself? We have all been there, but it is up to us whether we choose to stay there.
Community isn’t a “nice-to-have.” It’s a growth strategy.
Entrepreneurship can get lonely fast. And loneliness doesn’t just feel bad—it can change what you do next. Research has linked entrepreneurial loneliness to reduced passion and increased intentions to exit.
Meanwhile, connection improves outcomes across the board. In workplace research, Gallup has found that strong relational connection (like having a “best friend” at work) is tied to better engagement and performance.
Even if you’re a solopreneur, the principle still applies: people thrive when they feel supported, understood, and challenged by the right circle.
Why women supporting women actually matters (and it’s backed by data)
This part matters, because the “just network more” advice can be… not it.
A 2024 study highlighted by INFORMS found that female entrepreneurs benefited more from guidance when mentored by female mentors, citing more positive and supportive engagement in those relationships.
And broader ecosystem research (like GEM’s women’s entrepreneurship reporting) continues to emphasize that women entrepreneurs face unique barriers—and that tailored support systems matter.
Translation: it’s not all in your head. The support you choose should fit your reality.
Community is powerful. But community alone isn’t always enough.
Here’s the real talk:
A community can cheer you on, but it can’t always help you make decisions, build a plan, or hold you accountable when you’re stuck in the weeds.
That’s where the right kind of business support comes in—support that isn’t cookie-cutter, doesn’t talk at you, and doesn’t try to shove you into someone else’s “one-size-fits-all” framework.
The difference between “advice” and “aligned strategy”
You can get advice anywhere. (The internet will gladly provide it with confidence and zero context.)
What most business owners actually need is:
clarity on what matters right now
a strategy that matches your strengths, season, and capacity
accountability that doesn’t shame you
support that’s both practical and human
Mentorship and structured guidance have been tied to better small business outcomes and survival—mentoring is often described as a missing link in early-stage growth and sustainability.
And the Kauffman Foundation’s work on entrepreneurship support highlights mentoring as a meaningful lever when it’s designed well (not randomly assigned or vague).
What it looks like to have the right support in your corner
Let’s make this simple. Healthy support has three layers:
1) Your Circle (Community)
People who get it. People you can be honest with. People who remind you you’re not crazy.
2) Your Brain Trust (Peers + mentors)
People who’ve been where you’re going—or who are building alongside you with similar values.
3) Your Guide (Consultant/coach/strategist)
Someone who can zoom out, zoom in, tell you the truth kindly, and help you take the next best step without spinning out.
You don’t need 45 people in a Slack channel.
You need the right people, in the right roles, at the right time.
Practical tips to build real community (online and offline)
Here are tips that actually work—no awkward “networking event” energy required.
Tip 1: Get painfully specific about who you want around you
Community isn’t “women who own businesses.” That’s a category, not a connection.
Try:
women in a similar season (early stage, scaling, rebranding, rebuilding)
women with similar values (integrity, family time, creativity, service, faith, wellness, etc.)
women with complementary strengths (ops + creative, sales + systems, etc.)
Write your “people description” like you’re casting a movie. (Yes, really.)
Tip 2: Stop joining groups and start joining conversations
Instead of joining 10 communities and lurking in all of them, pick one and become recognizable:
comment thoughtfully 3x/week
ask a strong question 1x/week
DM 1 person/week with something real (no “hey girl” copy/paste)
Consistency > quantity.
Tip 3: Build micro-community (it’s underrated and way more effective)
Micro-community = 3–6 people, intentional, consistent.
Create a simple structure:
meet every other week for 45 minutes
each person answers:
what I’m working on
what I’m stuck on
what I need (feedback, accountability, resources, referrals)
That’s it. That’s the whole system.
Tip 4: Make it easier for people to say yes
Want community? Make invitations low-lift. And don’t be afraid to just ask:
“Want to cowork on Zoom for 45 minutes next Wednesday?”
“Want to grab coffee and talk goals for Q1?”
“Want to trade feedback on each other’s website copy?”
A lot of people want connection. They just don’t want a huge commitment.
Tip 5: Choose proximity on purpose (online + local)
Online support gives you access. Local support gives you real-life stickiness.
If you’re local to Maine (or any area), consider:
coworking days
small-business meetups
workshops that align with your values (not just sales pitches)
attending the same event monthly so relationships actually form
Tip 6: Protect the culture of your circle
This is important: not everyone deserves access to you.
Choose people who:
celebrate your growth
don’t compete with your joy
can give honest feedback without tearing you down
match your integrity
If someone makes you feel smaller, confused, or constantly “behind”… that’s not support. That’s noise.
If you’re here, you’re welcome.
If you’ve been craving:
Support that meets you where you’re at, not a sales funnel
strategy that fits you, not a template
Someone who gets to know you, and cheer you on every step of the way
…then you’re exactly who this space is for.
Because building a business is personal. It requires courage, identity shifts, and a ridiculous amount of decision-making. You don’t need more pressure. You need support that’s real—and guidance that helps you move.
And if you’re thinking, “Okay… where do I even start?”
Start with one connection. One conversation. One circle. One plan.
You don’t have to do it alone. (And honestly? You shouldn’t).
