Weekly Reflection by Faith - Is it lonely at the top?

My weekly chamber connections had us break up in small groups and discuss the advice we were given in our current career. I was with an electrician working for his dad's company and an IT guru who owns an IT company. They shared work hard and don't stop learning. Great advice!

Whenever I am asked the advice I was given, I always remember a mentor of mine said "It is lonely at the top.". I had no idea what this meant until I found myself as the owner of a pregnancy retail shop and spa. From launching, growing and implementing the vision many days I remembered my mentor's words of loneliness. I did have a lot resources and so many people who wanted to be a partner with their own business to my business, but not an active partner in leading my business. When I had to make the difficult decision to either close or sell the business, it was a tough decision because I had two fantastic young employees who would be displaced with this change. I was so grateful that I found someone who was interested in buying the business and rebranding it to a new city. I supported my employees in their next season and I am so proud of both of them in their success of owning their own businesses.
​
So this week has been a reflection of making sure that it isn't lonely at the top for my new consulting business. More importantly that I know how my consulting business can be the active partner that brings value to small businesses and nonprofits.
Here are three opportunities of community to make sure that it isn't lonely at the top for you:

1. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: I am a huge advocate of the role a chamber of commerce to our business communities. It can serve in a business owner's ability to connect with thought partners in their own communities. Each chamber has its only culture and/or leadership so try out chambers that are in your communities. My favorite programming in chambers are the lunch & learns and meetings where a business presents so we can go deeper into how they started, what barriers they have overcome and what goals they have for the future.
2. COACHES: If I was writing this a few weeks ago, I would not have included how important coaches (plural) are in the life a business owner or leader. Recently I was experiencing a block whenever I would stand up to talk about my business. Yes, for some this is normal, but for me this was an indicator that something wasn't right. I enjoy speaking in front of people. I hired a coach to help me with my tagline and how to describe what I do in less than 15 minutes (laughing). I also hired a coach to talk through what might be stopping me from being able to just talk about my business. I knew the script of failure may be still lingering from my previous business and I needed to delete this. The coach experience has been successful. Both coaches I met through attending chamber events.
3. MASTERMIND GROUP: Many people have told me about Napoleon Hill throughout my entrepreneur journey and for some reason I never read any of it. I haven't read Think & Grow Rich yet, but started with "Three Feet from Gold" and it has changed my life. I can't get enough of the writing of Napoleon Hill. Starting a mastermind group has been on my goals for a few years because I truly do believe that we can't be successful in business as one-person. It is the gifts and talents inside each person that make a dynamic team. I saw this in operation when I had the opportunity to build a business team to support a growing research department at a University. I have recently joined my first mastermind group with thought partners around Selling from the Heart. I encourage you to pre-order the new book and invite you to the insiders group.

​As you close out this week and prepare for next week, I challenge you next week to connect your business with community that wants your business to succeed. Your advice won't be "It is lonely at the top.".
Thank you for reading. Please share how you make connections in your business next week.