Community is Key To Success in Starting Your Own Business

Humans are social creatures. Since the dawn of memory we have existed together in tribes, communities, societies and civilisations.

It is quite literally part of our blueprint – our actual genetic makeup that we’re all different. We possess different predispositions, skills, tendencies and preferences. We were never meant to be isolated from one another, alone, cut off.

This literally could not be truer for the world of business, and even more specifically our sector – recruitment – is entirely built around people working with one another, networking, assisting each other, adding their flavour to different broths!

The instinct to work together is clear, and could not be more based in our nature.

So, what happens when you become a solo entrepreneur? What happens if you start your own business alone?

Without the right people around you, without the right community accessible, without the knowledge and skills base available to you to plug the gaps in your own toolkit, it is fair to say that you will fail, or at least fail to reach your fullest potential.

One of our absolute key and fundamental beliefs is that community is key. It is a superpower if used correctly.

Even if you are a total recluse, if you start your own business, here are two things that will be vital to your success:

1. Plug yourself into a community of like-minded peopleNow obviously in industries like recruitment, where business can become highly competitive (and even toxic and back-stabby) your first response to this might be “Hell no, I will keep myself to myself!”Being part of a community however opens up so much potential. Sharing things that have gone well, new tricks, new tools, new ideas means upliftment for the whole group. You’ll never need to share details of your clients or how much you’re billing of course, but being part of a community like this can even open up opportunities to do joint ventures, perhaps even cross sectors (your hiring manager client in the construction sector asks you to find a finance manager, for example).
2. Plug your skillset gaps with the prosAs a recruiter no doubt your strength is in sales; communication, building relationships, spotting angles and connecting people. But a successful business requires a really rounded set of systems – operations, finance, accounting, marketing, IT etc. making sure you have pros on tap to help you out with the little things as well as the big overarching strategic things is going to give you the best possible fertile soil in which to grow success.

Of course, this second point is the whole focus of our business. But one of the things we’ve loved most about building Sunblink is the community aspect, point one.

Across in person events, chat groups and social media, we have connected a wide variety of different recruiters who have launched their own business, whether as a solo entrepreneur or as part of a duo or trio. The growth and energy of this community has been SO inspiring.

The willingness to help each other, to share ideas, to ask for and receive advice – THIS is real community, and THIS is a superpower.

Here are some pictures of our recent Christmas party, to which the whole tribe of recruiters we support are invited!

A flourishing community all uplifting one another!