It’s not easy to trust your business to other people, especially when you are just starting out. As your business grows, however, delegating tasks to others becomes a necessity.
That’s why networking is so important in establishing and nurturing a healthy business – and more and more women are proving to be expert business owners and networkers – often reinventing themselves as the need arises. Here’s what networking can provide to you:
- Other people’s unique experience and talent
- Advice to entrepreneurs just starting their business
- Ways to maintain a healthy work/life balance
- Solutions to obstacles in the workplace
It was over three years ago at a business event that I was discussing this very topic with two friends when we had an “A-ha” moment: Start a Mastermind group made up of women entrepreneurs in order to share our knowledge. We invited about 8 other women from all different industries. We settled on a core group of 5 interested women with the same basic goals and quickly our meetings turned into valuable parts of our lives. In fact, I sometimes refer to the meetings as “group therapy for business” since they help us feel so much better about our personal and professional lives. We immediately became fast friends.
Our members are all entrepreneurs and of course, everything we hear or say is confidential. Every decade is represented in our ranks. In refreshing contrast to less-than-supportive executives and executive boards, our meetings are constructive and non-judgmental in nature.
Being an entrepreneur is not as glamorous as people think it is. It’s mostly hard work and long hours and it can be lonely at the top. There is an astounding readiness for the members to support each other It’s great to have others to act as a board of directors.
What experience have you had brainstorming with other entrepreneurs?
Judith Heft, Principal, Judith Heft & Associates is a personal financial concierge with offices in Greenwich and Stamford. She can be contacted via email at [email protected] or by phone 203-978-1858.
We (6 female entrepreneurs ) created a Master Mind Group in three years agon in Rhinebeck. Common denominator for all of us was – “in transition.” Two take a ways for me, the why and how to think bigger and suggested solutions to accomplish my goals. Lucky for us to have MM. Let me hear more about your group.
Susan, our common denominator was self employed business women. We’ve had our group for about 3 years now too and it’s been tremendous. I don’t know what I would do without these women. It’s been wonderful to have other independent women in business to share my ideas and goals.