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Key Takeaways Audit your current network to see if your business requires the structured skill-building of a peer advisory network or the infrastructure of an incubator.
Join a specialized incubator to share high-end equipment, saving your early-stage capital from heavy upfront machinery costs.
Launch a niche podcast or targeted online articles to build a dedicated digital community centered around a personal passion.
Founders face countless challenges. But one recent survey published by Wilbur Labs showed that loneliness may top them all — at least in terms of its near-universal presence among leaders.
The survey polled entrepreneurs about the realities they faced as they grew their companies. A full 87% of respondents admitted that being the head of a company involved more isolation than they expected. Furthermore, 90% said that the stress they experienced made them consider abandoning startup life.
These aren’t startling revelations. If you’re an entrepreneur, you know how often you can feel like you have no one who understands you.
Nonetheless, the statistics illustrate an important truth: Founders need to surround themselves with supporters, mentors, peers and likeminded entrepreneurs. In other words, they need both the intrinsic and corporate value that comes from being involved in communities. This support helps them overcome the harsh truths about entrepreneurship that rarely get discussed.
Indeed, being a part of many communities can help startup owners feel less lonely. These networks also provide other benefits, including the ability to gain insights, stay ahead of trends and keep a competitive edge.
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