How to Create Community as a Solopreneur

Over the past three years, I’ve built my own squad of ambitious, kind, and supportive business people. Whether we’re texting about our latest work woes or celebrating each other’s wins on social media, I feel so fortunate to have each and every one of them in my orbit.

However, I know that creating a community of self-starters is easier said than done. After all, it’s not like you can network at your company’s off-site or water-cooler. That’s exactly why I’m so excited to introduce you to Emily Merrell. After years of working in the fashion industry, Emily was sick and tired of meeting the same type of person at every event. So, she launched Six Degrees Society, a community that takes the guesswork out of networking.

“Friends are always important in life, but friends won’t always understand the importance of your business,” she explains. “When starting a business or veering off into a more ‘untraditional’ path, it’s vital to surround yourself with individuals who light you up, push you, and support you to keep going.”

Emily knows a thing or two about creating community. To help, she’s sharing her tips for building your own squad of self-starters.

Use Your Network

Believe it or not, finding like-minded people isn’t as scary or difficult as it seems. Chances are, you or your friends already know of a few people who have ditched their nine-to-five jobs to become their own bosses.

“So many times we go searching for new people to push and support us when in reality, that community may be right in front of you,” Emily says. “Start by asking your Facebook friends for a specific type of connection and have them connect you. Don’t reinvent the wheel every time you seek out community.”

Have a connection who knows another self-starter? Ask for an introduction. Since you trust your friends and family members’ judgement, it could be the start of a beautiful bond.

Make the First Move

If you want to build your squad of self-starters, you’ll have to make the first move.

“When you see someone who inspires you, cold email them or ask a mutual friend for an intro,” she shares.” Some of the most incredible relationships and friendships I’ve made came from a cold email.

I, on the other hand, love messaging other self-starters on Instagram. Since I’m on the app far more than I’d like to admit, commenting on someone’s photo or replying to their Instagram Stories is an easy, effortless way to connect. Plus, I’d like to think showing support or interest in another person’s life is a small effort that can brighten up someone’s day.

Making the first move can feel uncomfortable, so it’s important to find an approach that feels natural to you. Love Twitter? Mention someone you admire in a Tweet. Do you love networking events? Swap emails during your next virtual soiree.

Manifest Your Squad

Sometimes, “uncomfortable” doesn’t begin to describe how you feel about making the first move. If you’re an introvert, it can be downright terrifying. I get in my head about most things — and, yes, that includes making connections. If you’re looking to silence your inner critic, Emily recommends holding yourself accountable.

“There are two sides of our brain, and that inner critic has a lot of power over us,” she explains. “My advice is to set a date, share it with the world, and then do it. It’s much easier to show up for something, be it an event or social media live, when you’ve told others about it.”

Plus, if you tell people about your quest for community, they’ll likely connect you with other self-starters. It’s a win-win.

Foster Your Connections

Like any relationship, it’s important to maintain and foster your connections with other self-starters.

“Dedicate time to circle back with your connections and check in with them,” Emily shares. “You want to build your network and nourish it when you aren’t looking for anything.”

Finding your people takes time — in fact, Emily compares it to going to the gym. But, like working out, it’s one investment that will pay off in the long-run.

“You won’t see results for a while but it expands you, challenges you, and helps you grow as a person,” Emily says. “So next time you think about networking, reframe it as an adventure and get excited to meet someone new.”

A special thanks to Emily for such an insightful conversation! You can show Emily some love by listening to her podcast and attending a Six Degrees Society event.

Hustler of the Week: Eden Gilliam

How do you balance being an esthetician and running your own skincare company?

Things get very hectic at times but, as the company grows, I just learn how to adjust. My retired parents actually help pack and ship orders, which is a huge part of having an online store. My daughter, who is now 11 years-old, is very hands-on with both sides of the business, so having those extra hands is a huge help. I think finding balance is a continuous task because things are always changing.

What is your favorite part about being your own boss? Least favorite?

My favorite part is being more in control of my time and having time to be a mom. My least favorite part has been redefining what it means to be a mother, spouse, and individual. No one guilt-trips a dad for being an ambitious business owner, so being a mom in this space hasn’t come without its challenges. I think society is just starting to adopt these new norms of women being career-driven and what that means for family structure. Being a woman in business means you have to create a lifestyle that’s conducive to you succeeding and not being super stressed out. Sometimes, that means dad has to cook and clean and take over bath time and you shouldn’t feel guilty about it.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned since becoming your own boss?
The biggest lesson I learned was everything that you need, you already are. A lot of times, we look outside of ourselves to be successful. The minute that you realize you are everything you need, dig into yourself, and make it happen, things start to blossom.

Give Eden some love by following Eve Milan NY on Instagram and signing for her newsletter to learn about product launches.

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