The Power of Professional Connection
Running your own business can be rewarding and profitable, but it can also be quite lonely at times. When small business owners don’t have a strong network of people in their lives that can relate to the stress, joys, and challenges of business ownership, it can lead to a distinct feeling of isolation.
According to a Founders Report on Mental Health Statistics focused on entrepreneurs, 26.9% of business owners report struggling with loneliness and isolation. This is often due to working long hours alone, or being surrounded by employees and team members that can’t relate to your role.
This is why it’s vital as a business owner to develop your professional community. The benefits of developing and engaging in a relatable community go beyond simple professional networking.
NTH Media aims to help Coweta Business owners thrive, and true thriving is a culmination of both the health of your business and your own personal mental and physical health as well.
Let’s look at some of the benefits of connecting with a professional community and how to start connecting today.
Fresh Perspectives and Ideas
One way a professional community can help your business growth is by providing fresh perspective and ideas. When you are toiling away alone day after day on your business objectives, you don’t have the benefit of other perspectives and ideas. Connecting with a professional community on a regular basis gives you this advantage. Your community can be a safe place to brainstorm ideas and get healthy feedback from individuals with relevant experience.
Support During Hard Times
Even successful business owners go through difficult seasons with their business. Sometimes this might be financial difficulties, hurdles to progress, or difficult individuals. Regardless of the nature of the challenges, during hard times you want trusted people around who can relate to what you’re going through.
Sharing your challenges and hearing how others have come through their own challenges can help you keep a healthy perspective. You may also find that your community can also offer other types of support and assistance during hard times such as financial assistance, the offering of resources, and other forms of help.
Networking Opportunities
Staying connected with a professional community also offers the opportunity for rich networking in your area. Networking is crucial for all industries and all types of businesses. The more people you know the more resources, options, and opportunities will be available to you.
How to Start Connecting
If you haven’t been active in a professional community, then you might feel at a loss on how to start. There are several options for making these connections. You could consider joining your local chamber of commerce. The Newnan Coweta Chamber of Commerce hosts networking events for local businesses owners for networking and connection.
You can also get acquainted with other local business owners through local social media groups such as NTH Media’s Facebook page, where local business owners can connect and we share relevant local business news and events. You should also check out local networking events hosted in your area.
To be successful, you need connection, encouragement and community. If you’ve been feeling isolated in your efforts and lonely on your business journey, take steps today to start connecting more fully with the business community around you.
