The Loneliness of Entrepreneurship and What to Do About It
The loneliness of building alone is rarely talked about. Four practical ways to find the people who will keep you going.
One thing about entrepreneurship that isn’t talked about enough is the loneliness that can come with it. A lot of entrepreneurs don’t have anyone to share the burdens, or at least someone in their lives who supports what they’re building.
This makes the journey to success eventually lead to a burn out, as all the responsibilities fall on one person and encouragement to keep going comes from within.
If this sounds like you, here’s what you can do about it.
Change the Scenery
Seek out a shared environment to work in rather than working in solitude. A local coworking space would be ideal, as it’s a workplace where business professionals and entrepreneurs of all different companies can work together.
These spaces provide desks, private offices, conference rooms, lounges, and opportunities to collaborate with others, all through a membership.
Attend Networking Events
Find events related to what you’re building, or for business and entrepreneurship in general. This will give you ample opportunities to connect with other entrepreneurs and professionals.
They may also give you an opportunity to display your business, so you can put yourself out there.
Join A Community
There are lots of forums and chat spaces online all about entrepreneurship, solopreneurs, and small businesses. Reddit, for example, has several online communities dedicated for entrepreneurs to network, get advice, find resources, and talk about their personal experiences.
Hire A Mentor
Business coaches and mentors not only provide valuable insights, advice, and feedback, but can provide a safe space to discuss your personal struggles in pursuing entrepreneurship.
Start Small, and Keep Going
We understand that all the suggestions above sound easier said than done, as making meaningful connections can take a lot of your effort and time. Not to mention putting yourself out there can be intimidating all on its own.
But know that, while the chance of your business being the roaring success you want it to be is TBD, consistently reaching out to others will bring you the support system you were looking for.
At SideKix, we believe that no one should ever have to build alone.
If you’d like an online space that’s a one-stop shop for events, mentors, and community, sign up for the SideKix app.
Frequently asked questions
Why is entrepreneurship so lonely?
Because the decisions stop being shared. There is no team to absorb a setback with and often nobody in your existing circle who recognises the specific weight of it.
Is it normal to feel isolated as a business owner?
It is common enough to be treated as a feature of the role rather than a personal shortcoming, which is the framing the article takes.
How do I meet other entrepreneurs?
Peer groups, local meetups and SBA-funded advisor networks all serve this, and the free options are listed on the free help page.
Does isolation affect how a business performs?
The article connects it to decision quality, since decisions made without anyone to test them against tend to go unchallenged for longer.
Rather have this sequenced for you?
SideKix turns reading like this into a path: the next step surfaced one at a time, with the people and resources you need at the point you need them.