Entrepreneurship can feel incredibly lonely, especially if you’re working solo. Where would we be without our communities? They provide connection, inspiration and simple camaraderie – that’s why we bring you regular events and networking opportunities. If you’re building your own community or want to thrive in an existing one, how can you make the most of it?
Our most recent event, “Building Your Community: Insights from Leading Women Founders,” brought together three incredible women who successfully created and sustained their own entrepreneurial communities. Featuring Natalie Benamou, founder of HerCsuite®; Stephanie Cartin, co-founder of Entreprenista; and Ruche M. Mittal, founder of Her Entrepreneurial Network (HEN India), these panelists know all about nurturing connections from the ground up.
Meet our featured panelists:
Natalie Benamou is the founder of HerCsuite®, a network supporting ambitious women and organizations. HerCsuite® offers a unique space for women to connect, engage and thrive. With a focus on leadership and professional development, the platform helps women achieve their career goals through a supportive community and curated connections.
As the co-founder of Entreprenista, Stephanie Cartin helped to build a thriving digital platform for female entrepreneurs. Entreprenista offers resources, networking opportunities and educational content designed to help women grow and scale their businesses. Cartin’s vision is to foster a community where women can learn and succeed together.
Ruche M. Mittal is the founder of Her Entrepreneurial Network (HEN India), a community for women entrepreneurs in India. HEN India provides a platform for women to share their experiences, seek advice, and build meaningful connections. Mittal’s journey from freelancer to community leader highlights the importance of support in entrepreneurial success.
Where do you start?
If you’re building a new community…
Listen to your audience constantly. Meet them where they are and consider how they’re interacting with your space. For instance, Benamou ran weekly mastermind circles for free as part of a beta test, and after six months, she started charging. Free or low-cost models help you gain traction and get feedback when you’re starting from scratch.
Try not to overcomplicate things, either. It can be tempting to design dynamic pricing tiers and fancy offers, but implementing everything at once is a fast track to burning yourself out (especially with a small team). Instead, think about what’s actually necessary and realistic for your launch. Do you need three membership tiers, or will one suffice for now? Can you start making connections on a Facebook group instead of building an entire website? Make sure your core product and business model are solid before you start looking for sponsors, partnerships or affiliates. Always start small, and build up.
If you want to connect within an existing community…
Your keyword: engagement. Spend 10-15 minutes a day (or even every other day) in the community to stay active and visible. Share updates about your business or simply say hello to new members. Check out your community’s offerings and register for at least one or two meetings that align with your interests. (For example, if you’re a female entrepreneur, you should register for August Lioness Networking!) Set goals for yourself, like connecting with 2-3 people per week via LinkedIn or coffee chats.
Don’t try to do everything at once. Focus on one thing at a time, take action, show up consistently, and start building relationships within the community. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
For a list of tech stack recommendations, future goals and in-depth insights from the panelists, be sure to watch the full recording!
Join our next community event: Lioness Networking!
August 6th, 12 – 1 p.m. ET
Lioness Networking is your monthly opportunity to expand your business network and connect with female entrepreneurs like you. Join us for enriching insights and camaraderie. Through a series of engaging breakout rooms and guided discussions, we’re here to provide valuable support for founders everywhere.
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