Connection for Mum Entrepreneurs: Find Your Tribe & Thrive!
- (Admin) The Thrivology Company
- Mar 4
- 8 min read
The Unspoken Hurdle: Why Connection Isn't a Luxury, It's Your Lifeline in Business (Especially When You're a Mum)
Ever had one of those days? You know the ones. The kids finally asleep (or at least quiet-ish), you’ve managed to grab a lukewarm cuppa, & you sit down to tackle that mountain of a to-do list for your business. & in that quiet moment, a wave of… something hits you. It’s not just tiredness (though, let’s be honest, that’s a permanent resident for many of us!). It’s a feeling of being utterly, profoundly alone on this rollercoaster journey of entrepreneurship.
If that sounds familiar, please know this: you are not broken, you are not failing, & you are certainly not the only one. Honestly, as a fellow CEO, a PhD researcher, & a mum to four incredible, energetic little humans (plus two equally characterful Miniature Pinschers, Cappuccino & Espresso, who add their own special brand of chaos to the mix!), I’ve been there more times than I can count. That feeling of isolation, especially when you’re juggling the beautiful chaos of motherhood with the immense demands of building a business, can be overwhelming. It’s a hurdle many of us face, often in silence, thinking it’s just part of the “solo”preneur package.
But what if I told you that embracing connection isn't a sign you can't cope, but a strategic imperative for your business to truly flourish & for you to keep your sanity intact?
The Truth About the 'Solo'preneur Myth
The image of the lone wolf entrepreneur, forging their empire single-handedly, is a powerful one. But let’s be brutally honest – it’s largely a myth, & often a damaging one. When I first embarked on my own entrepreneurial path, especially after navigating the corporate world at places like Apple & Electrolux, & then diving deep into my MBA at Cranfield with a baby in tow, there were moments of intense isolation. Even surrounded by brilliant minds, the unique cocktail of ambition, motherhood, & business-building felt like a very specific island. Just recently, I was struggling with a tricky AI integration for my business, feeling completely stuck. I reached out to my Femme:Connect community, & within hours, another female entrepreneur shared a simple workaround that saved me days of frustration! Honestly, my experiences, & understanding just how common this challenge is, were actually key drivers in establishing Femmeprenista's community-centric approach from the very beginning. About Carlene Nisbett & Femmeprenista
Because here’s the secret: acknowledging you need connection isn’t admitting defeat; it’s recognising a fundamental human need that, when met, can catapult your business & well-being to new heights. & it's not just about needing help, as Lisa Nichols would remind us, “Your job is to fill your own cup, so it overflows. Then you can serve others, joyfully, from your saucer.”
Why Your Business (& Your Sanity) Craves Connection
Let's break down why proactively seeking out & nurturing genuine peer connections is one of the smartest moves you can make, especially if you're a Foundation Builder in the early stages of building your business. It’s not just about having a moan (though sometimes, that’s essential too!). It’s about tangible, game-changing benefits. These benefits align closely with our Business Flourish Framework – think of connection as FUEL for your well-being & FOCUS for your mindset, all working together! How We Work / Business Flourish Framework
1. Refilling Your Tank: Energy, Well-being & Resilience
Think about how crucial your own energy & well-being are to the health of your business. When you’re running on empty, creativity dwindles, decision-making suffers, & even the smallest tasks can feel monumental. Connection acts like a vital refuelling station.
Shared Understanding: Talking to someone who truly gets the unique pressures – the investor pitch you’re prepping while simultaneously trying to remember if it’s World Book Day tomorrow, or the tech gremlin that’s eaten half your morning while a toddler uses your leg as a climbing frame – is incredibly validating. It makes you feel seen & understood.
Reduced Stress: Simply knowing you’re not alone in your struggles can significantly lower stress levels. It’s like a pressure valve releasing. This isn't just a nice-to-have; it’s fundamental to preventing burnout & ensuring your business journey is sustainable, energising you rather than constantly draining your reserves.
Borrowed Strength: On days when your own resilience is wavering, drawing on the strength & encouragement of your peers can be the difference between giving up & pushing through. As Simone Biles so powerfully puts it, “It’s okay to not be okay.”
2. Sharpening Your Focus & Supercharging Your Mindset
Oh, the entrepreneurial mindset! It’s a battlefield some days, isn’t it? Imposter syndrome, fear of failure, comparisonitis – they love to gate-crash the party. Peer connection is like having a team of highly skilled mindset bodyguards.
Normalising the Ups & Downs: Hearing other successful entrepreneurs openly share their wobbles & wins normalises your own experience. That “failure” suddenly looks more like a “lesson learned” when you realise everyone goes through it.
Challenging Limiting Beliefs: A trusted peer can gently (or sometimes, not-so-gently!) call you out on those limiting beliefs that are holding you back. They can see your brilliance even when you can’t.
Renewed Motivation & Inspiration: Seeing others achieve their goals, overcome obstacles, or launch new exciting projects can be incredibly motivating. It sparks that “if she can do it, so can I” fire in your belly. That shared energy can be the catalyst for your own breakthrough. It’s a constant process that is driven by the quote of Jim Rohn “Learn how to be happy with what you have while you pursue all that you want.”
3. Unlocking Business Breakthroughs & Streamlining Your Success
This is where connection gets really strategic. It’s not just about emotional support; it’s about tangible business growth.
The Wisdom Pool: Imagine having access to a collective brainpower far greater than your own. Peers who have “been there, done that” can offer invaluable advice, shortcuts, & resources, saving you from reinventing the wheel. This could be anything from a killer marketing tactic they’ve tested to a system that streamlined their client onboarding.
Diverse Perspectives & Innovation: Stuck in a rut with your marketing or wondering how to innovate your services? A fresh pair of eyes, or ten, from different backgrounds & with different experiences can spark incredible new ideas & solutions you’d never have thought of alone.
Accountability & Momentum: Declaring your goals to a supportive peer or group creates powerful accountability. Knowing someone will be checking in can give you that nudge to implement those efficient systems you’ve been putting off or to finally hit “publish” on that bold piece of content.
Collaboration Opportunities: Connection can lead to incredible collaborations – joint ventures, guest expert swaps, referrals – expanding your reach & impact in ways you couldn’t achieve solo. A recent study showed that entrepreneurs who actively participate in a supportive community are 47% more likely to report business growth year over year The="><em>The" Diana="Diana" Project,="Project," Babson="Babson" College="College</em></span>">.
Choosing Connection: An Act of Strategic Self-Leadership
I truly believe that taking ownership of our journey is paramount. & part of that personal responsibility is recognising when we need support & proactively seeking it out. Choosing connection isn't a passive act; it’s a conscious, strategic decision that demonstrates strong self-leadership. It’s about understanding that your business thrives when you thrive, holistically. Honestly, this holistic approach, considering every facet of you & your business, is at the very heart of how we do things at Femmeprenista.
It’s a smart, empowering strategy for navigating challenges, fostering innovation, & achieving success that feels good, sustainable, & aligned with your deepest values. & let's be honest, it makes the whole journey a lot more fun too!
So, How Do You Find Your Tribe? Practical Steps to Cultivate Connection
Okay, so you’re convinced. But where do you actually find these magical, supportive unicorn entrepreneurs? Here’s a quick checklist to get you started:
[ ] Be Intentional
[ ] Explore different avenues
[ ] Give as much as you get
[ ] Start small & be patient
Be Intentional: Don’t just wait for connections to fall into your lap. Think about what kind of support you need. Is it a high-level mastermind? A casual group for daily chat? An accountability partner? Getting clear on your needs helps you look in the right places.
Explore Different Avenues:
Online Communities: There are fantastic groups out there (like our own Femme:Connect, if I may say so myself!). Look for spaces that resonate with your values & are filled with your kind of people. For instance, look at 'The Female Entrepreneur Association' on Facebook, or search for industry-specific groups on LinkedIn.
Industry or Niche Groups: Connecting with others in your specific field can lead to incredibly relevant support & collaborations.
Local Meetups: If you thrive on in-person connection, seek out local networking events or even consider starting your own informal coffee morning for local female founders.
Give as Much as You Get: Connection is a two-way street. Be prepared to offer your own support, share your learnings, celebrate others’ wins, & be a good listener. Authenticity & generosity are magnetic.
Start Small & Be Patient: You don’t need to find your business soulmate overnight. Focus on building one or two genuine connections. Even a 15-minute virtual coffee can plant the seed for a valuable relationship. Quality trumps quantity every single time.
A Gentle Nudge: What If I Feel Too Busy or Too Shy?
I hear you. The thought of adding another thing to your plate when you’re already juggling a business & family can feel overwhelming. Or perhaps the idea of putting yourself “out there” brings on a wave of shyness.
“I don't have time.” My love, can you afford not to? Think of the time wasted struggling alone with a problem a peer could help you solve in minutes. Think of the motivation drain from isolation. Connection is an investment that pays back in time, energy, & results.
“I'm an introvert/too shy.” So many of us are! The beauty of many online communities is that you can engage at your own pace. You don’t have to be the loudest voice in the room. Often, the most meaningful connections happen in quieter, one-on-one conversations. Honestly, remember, finding your voice, even if it starts as a whisper, is incredibly powerful – it's a lesson I learned myself, navigating new environments where I initially felt like I had to catch up just to be heard. It was a bit like when I moved from a public primary school to a private one mid-year - I had to quickly find my feet & my voice! I had to learn to be myself as Simone Biles says “I’m not the next Usain Bolt or Michael Phelps. I’m the first Simone Biles.”
“What if I have nothing to offer?” Rubbish! Your experiences, your perspective, your journey – even the bits you think are “messy” – are incredibly valuable. You’d be surprised how many people can learn from what you’ve already navigated. I remember early on, feeling like everyone else knew so much more than me. I thought, “What could I possibly offer them?”. But, as Cody Sanchez says, “The goal isn’t to be famous, it’s to be rich. And rich is just having more passive income than expenses”. Everyone has something to share, even if it’s just the validation that comes from knowing you're not alone in your struggles.
Entrepreneurship can sometimes feel like you’re pushing a boulder uphill, in the fog, on your own. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Reaching out, building your tribe, choosing connection – it’s like suddenly finding a whole team to help you push, the fog lifting to reveal a clear path, & a whole lot of cheering from the sidelines.
This journey is too important, & your well-being too precious, to go it alone. The support & camaraderie you're craving are out there. You just need to take that first step to find it.
Carlene Nisbett
Founder & CEO, Femmeprenista (Coach, Mentor, Speaker)
Wife, Mother of four, Business Owner, PhD Researcher, Pet mom, Plant mom, 5'0" tall Passionate Multitasker & Wine Lover, You get the drift
P.S. This workbook is just the beginning!
If you're looking for a supportive community of like-minded female entrepreneurs who get it, why not pop over and say hello?
We'd love to welcome you!
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