Starting any endeavor, especially a business, is no easy feat. It sounds simple, but no one knows everything. That small step of acknowledgment leads to outreach, and I have found the more support behind me, the likelier I am to achieve what I set out to do. When I started with the idea of Rightside Brewing, I didn’t have the first clue about brewery operations. By a stroke of luck, I got paired with a mentor that had started his own brewery through the Notre Dame business plan competition. He provided immense knowledge where I had literally zero experience. Knowing I had Ryan in my corner, gave me the confidence and expertise I needed to keep going.
Here are a few helpful tips on seeking support to achieve your goals:
- Be clear on what you are trying to achieve – get a handle on your own goals and aspirations so you can find others that can provide the most support. In episode 100 of “The Intentional Advantage” – Tanya Dalton says, the more understanding that you have of who you are at the core, the easier it will be to find like-minded individuals that can lend you the support you need along the way.
- Consider finding a group or class in your community – I recently joined a mom-preneur group in Atlanta to get feedback from like-minded women that are balancing the joys & struggles of launching companies and being moms. We set goals each time we meet and check-in with each other monthly (and have lots of cameos by our kids). It helps us to stay accountable and get meaningful feedback from one and other.
- Identify a mentor – who has already walked the path you are on? In an Entrepreneur article by Shari Alexander, she writes that all great heros have a mentor. A mentor has been there, done that and gotten the T-shirt. By building a relationship with them, your mentors will help you achieve goals in less time than it would to figure it all out on your own.
I know I would not be where I am without a solid support system. Whatever your goal may be, I hope this helps you get closer to it!
Take care and be well,
Emree