As Generation X Entrepreneurs, we are literally pre-programmed to believe that we must do everything ourselves and we must do it all well!
So NOT realistic, right??? I’m guilty as charged – but realize that this is not a sustainable method / mindset for growth.
As business owners, we must focus on our “zone of genius” (am I the only Gen X’er who hates this phrase?) and let others step in where we might be a little lacking – or simply where our time isn’t best spent. So who “picks up the slack”?
Well first – that’s a mindset issue. It’s not slack if Jessica knows that the value of her time is best spent “doing the core functions” of her business, rather than going through emails or scheduling social media, etc…
But that’s not even what I am talking about today (but it might be in a future edition 😎) – what I am talking about, is who are your businesses’ “Ride or Die”? These are people who refer other clients / customers to you consistently, people who you cross promote with, your business besties, etc….
Running a business, even as a solopreneur, is not a solo activity. You need referral partners – these are people who you refer clients / customers to, they refer to you…very simple. These referral partners may also be the same people that you cross promote with.
Cross promotion is when they run your sales and promotions through their email list and share on their social media accounts, and you do the same for them. This works best when you are non-competing businesses that serve the same niche market. For example, Sarah is a financial consultant, Jennifer is an accountant and Amy is an Insurance Broker; they might all serve the same niche of clientele – but if Sarah takes on Heather as a client, there is nothing saying that Heather couldn’t also contract with Jennifer and Amy for the services that they provide also. They complement each other, rather than compete.
Then there are your biz besties (men, please forgive the term – guess you could call it your biz buddy!)…this is the person or people that you rely on for solid business advice, ranting over a certain situation, talk a scenario through with, etc. This person could fall into either or both of the previous categories – or could be a totally random choice…but nothing in life is really random, is it? Sometimes we just know who our people are – we are drawn to our own tribe.
So what am I getting at? I want you to stop going it alone. I want you to have support and community and just the right people in your corner who are your Ride or Die – you know that they support you and your business. Maybe you already have them…if you do, congratulations, that is awesome and you are already ahead of the game. If you don’t, you might be wondering, “How do I find these people? How do I get this supportive infrastructure to help my business grow?”
That’s where I was. I knew that going into this next phase of my business, I had to stop being an island, a silo, doing everything solo…whatever metaphor you want to use. I needed to find my people! I have since joined a co-marketing organization as well as a collaborative for masterminds and masterclasses. I’m not stopping there, I am creating strategic relationships with complementing businesses…and I am blessed enough to have a biz bestie or two to support me, hold me accountable when needed and always be there to celebrate my wins with me.
Growth can be uncomfortable, risky and downright scary…but when you have your Ride or Die businesses / people traveling in the lanes beside you…it makes the journey exciting, fun, and you are more apt to enjoy the memories that you will make along the way. Do you know who yours are? Might be time to make a list – and if there are some gaps to be filled in – now’s the time to do it. Remember to support them the same way you want to be supported…you might be going in the same direction…but it’s still a two way street 😉
Generation X Entrepreneurs would love it if you would subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter so that you never miss a blog post and then follow us on Facebook and join our group as well.