It was 2016 and I had just arrived in Miami. It was a triumphant return to the United States after a few years of living abroad in Mexico. I had been building my business—at that time, a digital marketing agency for boutique hotels—and was eager to connect with other entrepreneurs. That was easier said than done.
As a mom working from home, there weren’t a ton of opportunities to meet new people. Let alone, other business owners. My days were spent toiling away in front of the screen until it was time to pick up my son from daycare. It felt like all of the other moms were working at fancy companies and I was longing for the guidance and mentorship associated with having a corporate career. All of the systems and processes of a large organization were alluring to me. To hear about them felt safe and comforting.
I remember that first year, I made a good girlfriend working for Pepsi. She was describing a quarterly review she had just gone through. I vividly remember being so excited to talk about her performance review and development path...
Should I ditch my company and get a "real job"?!
Obviously, I was grateful for my freedom. I loved working with my clients. But it was starting to feel like I had created several jobs for myself instead of being the CEO of a company. I felt like there was always so much more to learn and figure out—and frankly, I didn’t know where to start.
Working in and on your business at the same time is something that is quite common for entrepreneurs -- a mandatory rite of passage. While our corporate friends are gently guided and promoted to the next level, we get the trial by fire. It can feel lonely and painstaking, especially when there is no one in your circle who is going through the same experiences.
Filled with longing and frustration for the slow progress toward growth I was making in business, I turned to a trusted friend, Google, for advice:
Where can I find female entrepreneurs in Miami?
What Google showed me was an entire world of meetups, seminars, clubs, groups, pitch competitions, luncheons, and more, full of Female Founders within a few miles of my front door. The first event I attended was with a group called FemCity. It was the first place I felt truly in my element. A place where I could talk to folks about the struggles of owning a business. This is where my journey began to find my community. In today's episode, we discuss:
- Why business buddies are so important for your soul - How to find your close business friends - When to walk away from a community you don’t jive with and find your people - Why you shouldn’t go through entrepreneurship alone
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Victoria is a Marketing Mentor to early-stage founders. She has built compelling brands around the globe and has worked as a marketing director across several verticals. She is passionate about helping women think BIGGER about their businesses and giving them the tools to grow. She'd love to connect on LinkedIn or email her at hello@ugliboss.com.