When you began your business, you put all sorts of systems in place (I hope). A marketing system, production and admin systems, etc. But you probably didn’t create a support system. I don’t blame you. Few people tell you how to do this. And it may just be the most important system of all. If you’re a woman entrepreneur, a strong support system will help you:
→ Stay focused.
→ Remain accountable to your business goals.
→ Get through the tough times of running a business.
But how exactly do you form a support system? I can tell you this, it won’t just fall into place. Creating a system of support requires an intentional, strategic approach.
Why you must form a support system
It Takes a Village to Build a Business.
Trying to build your business alone feels like pushing a boulder uphill. It feels painful, heavy, and overwhelming (I’ve been there. Too many times).
In one Study on women entrepreneurs and mentorship, they found:
We don’t need studies to confirm this. Deep down we know we need support. Mentoring relationships are just one of the components of a strong support system. There are four more. We’re going to go through each one, along with how to put them into place.
First, to create a strong system of support we have to understand what we’re even saying.
So, let’s start there…
What makes a strong support system for a woman entrepreneur?
The aim is to create business relationships with other women entrepreneurs. These relationships thrive through nurturing and communication and they directly affect your emotional state and business behaviors (what you do day to day). Most of these may start as business relationships but become friendships.
Let’s get to the components of a strong business support system.
The 5 components of a strong business support system for women entrepreneurs
1. Accountability Partners
These are the people that’ll hold you to the fire (in an encouraging way ❤). This can be a coach or someone you buddy up with.
They’re not afraid to call you on your own BS and hold you accountable for what you say you’re going to do. I do this through accountability coaching. You can also do this by connecting with an accountability buddy or an accountability group.
Do not overlook the power of accountability, especially with other women who are focused and serious about their business.
Accountability is powerful because there’s a lot of opportunity out there, which makes it easy to jump around from idea to idea and never follow through with anything. It’s also easy to over-focus on the wrong things in your business, leaving little time to move the needle on other aspects that you know you need to get to.
An accountability coach or partner (a good one) will help you stay on track with your goals.
2. Idea Interactors
You need people you can bounce ideas off. I call them idea interactors (yes, I made up that term).
Many times, people on social media will tell you to work in silence and not share your ideas. I get this concept, but, it’s in our nature to share. Especially as women. We like to talk about what we’re up to, and what we’re thinking of.
We like having people in our corner who will give us a thumbs up or down on ideas or just help us think something through. When we express ideas, it helps us gain clarity. Even more so when we do that with someone we trust.
Speaking of trust, pick your idea interactors carefully!
Have you ever had a friend whom you shared a few business ideas or projects with only to be met with shady criticism?
Not constructive criticism but an obvious energy of ‘you can’t do that‘ or ‘that sounds stupid’. They may not use those exact words, but that’s the vibe of their response. Don’t ignore it. Your gut never lies.
People who tend to respond that way are not your idea interactors. They may be idea interactors for someone else, just not for you.
Do not share your ideas with them. Ever! This isn’t about hiding your ideas from them, they will probably come across your social media and see what you’re up to, fine. But do not, do not (repeat: do not!) share ideas with them. You will feel small and doubtful when sharing ideas with them to the point you may give up before you even start.
Maybe (big maybe) people who react negatively are still your friends. That’s your decision. Just know that whatever insecurity they’re dealing with, they are not someone to share ideas with.
Also, some ‘friends’ just won’t get your ideas for whatever reason and cannot ever give constructive feedback. It is what it is. Don’t expect every one of your friends to be business supporters, especially if they’re not entrepreneurs.
3. Listeners
Every person on this list needs to be a listener, but I’m specifically referring to people who you can vent to. You know those people you can call or message or meet IRL when things are just not going as you want them to?
At those times, when you’re feeling emotional about your business, you need someone to talk to. Someone who’ll listen. Just listen.
They may or may not chime in with ideas or suggestions, but the most important thing they’ll do is listen. That’s what you need at that moment.
These people will carve out the time and space to allow you to vent and express how you feel. You’ll feel safe and comfortable opening up to them and sharing, without judgment or patronization.
4. Cheerleaders
These people will cheer you on enthusiastically. These are the people who’ll see your post on social media and as long as they have time, they’ll interact with it just to encourage you (we all know social media can be challenging, especially when you’re building a new account and it feels like a ghost town).
You don’t need to ask these people to like or comment or share, they just do it! It comes naturally to them. It’s not forced. They may even purchase products or services from you (and not expect discounts!)
I have to mention something here. In my years of being an entrepreneur, I’ve noticed something that I see holds a lot of women entrepreneurs back…
Some people, particularly other women entrepreneurs, will never support your business. This may mean they never interact with your business-related social media posts and/or if they purchase from you, their feedback will be shady AF. Maybe even passive-aggressive. You know the type.
I’m not entirely sure what’s going on in their minds and hearts (insecurity, jealousy, malicious thoughts, maybe?) and I’ve stopped trying to understand. I’m not here to psychoanalyze other people. That’s not my job. I share this with you because, you, too will encounter this. You probably already have. Do not let it phase you.
Notice it and move on. Time and energy are your most precious resources. You have a business to build.
If it helps, remind yourself of concepts like that of Miguel Ruiz in The Four Agreements: “Nothing other people do is because of you. It is because of themselves.”
If you think about it, these negative people are few and far between. You have way more positive people in your life (or you will once you build a support system). Don’t take their insecurity personally.
It may be because I’m a midlife entrepreneur and at this stage of life, I have zero tolerance for foolishness. I simply refocus. Please do the same when you see someone is not supportive.
I know that’s a hard one but this is the exact reason you must find your cheerleaders. They will counter the foolishness and you can focus on them and nurturing those relationships instead of focusing on the negative.
5. Professional Supporters & Mentors
This can come in the form of a business coach, life coach, or even a therapist (some of us may need all three). Sometimes we need a professional who has the tools to help us navigate what’s going on in our minds.
Building a business will challenge your identity and self-esteem. In the beginning, things will feel fun and exciting, but as time passes, it will bring to light deep insecurities and self-doubt. Sometimes we need a professional to help us move through these thoughts and feelings and get to the root of them.
If you don’t have the resources to hire professional help, access as many free tools as you can with the plan to hire as soon as you can.
Now that you know the components of a support system, where do you find your supporters?
Groups. I’ve found one of the fastest ways to find support is by joining groups. Facebook groups, in-person groups, communities like the Virtual Village, group coaching programs, masterminds etc.
These groups typically have other entrepreneurial women. You’ll want to connect with them, especially the ones who are serious about their business.
For some people, business is a pastime or a game. They’re not serious about it. Avoid those people and choose your connections carefully, as they’ll never understand your drive and will be flaky at times when you most need them.
Entrepreneurial women who are also serious about the work they do, the people they serve, and manifesting their dreams into reality through their business, will have more of an understanding of what you’re working on, going through, struggling with, etc.
They’ll be there for you and you’ll be there for them.
This isn’t to say you won’t have non-entrepreneurial friends or family who fit one of these roles (such as cheerleaders), but most of your support system will likely be other women in business.
One woman entrepreneur can serve multiple support roles
These do not need to be five separate people (phew!) But it’s okay if they are.
I have business besties who are cheerleaders, accountability partners, and idea interactors all in one.
When you connect with someone like this, cherish them and nurture that relationship. They are not easy to find. I am beyond grateful for my business besties (if you’re reading this —which you probably are—I appreciate you 
).
Plant seeds and nurture the system
These are relationships. This is not a transactional approach.
You need to maintain a mindset of nurturing. The keys are consistent communication, mutual support (you both benefit), and genuine care for that person and their business. This will come with time, of course.
You do not plant a seed one day and harvest the fruits of your labor the next. Be patient. Be forgiving. I use the word systems a lot, but never forget, we are talking about people and nobody’s perfect.
Time
Attention
Nurturing
Start connecting, planting the seeds, and nurturing relationships that are part of your support system.
You’ll thank yourself (and your supporters) later!
P.S.Enjoyed this article? You may also enjoy my video on why ‘moving in silence’ is bad advice for women entrepreneurs. Watch it below or on YouTube.
