Building a support system will help you better meet your goals, and still have time for family and friends.
Family - If you have family close by, tap into those sources to help with child care, run errands, pack orders, maybe someone to bounce ideas off. My sister lives in another state, but I relay on her to flush out my ideas, help me make plans, and get her feedback.
Friends - Sometimes they are just as good as family. They will support you when you need it, and give you a place to vent as well. I have several friends in my support system and each one helps in different ways. When my daughter was younger, I had a good friend who would help me with transportation, theses days she offers to pick up things for me when shes going to the store.
Neighbors - They are close by and most of the time willing to help. Sometimes it can be hard to ask for help, but if your in a spot, Someone will always help.
Business Contacts - Network with people on and offline to share business ideas, talk shop, and do some cross marketing on social networks.
Don't forget to pay back the favor whenever possible.
Asking for help can be difficult, but having a support system in place you will find that you are able to get more things done and see your business grow.
Do you have a support system in place for your business?
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A support system is why we moved back to MA and still live here. It is everything in making any venture work.
ReplyDeleteI too rely on my sister to bounce ideas and keep me grounded.
ReplyDeleteIt's so hard to ask others for help sometimes, thanks for the reminder!
These are great tips Valerie. I have been a supporter more than a "supportee" most of my life, but we cannot do it all by ourselves and stay sane!
ReplyDeleteYou know, lately I've been having these great discussions with a few friends about the direction my business needs to go. I don't usually talk to people off line or not in field about these things because I think they might find it boring. But I was surprised to find how relatable many found my questions, and by the honest advice I received!
ReplyDeleteI don't know what I would do without the people I know I can depend on when I need them.
ReplyDeleteYour post gets me thinking...We have a support system, because our small business is a family thing. But could make it better, and have something in place for emergencies and such. Your tips are great! Thanks for the post. =)
ReplyDelete~ Kim
I will confess that I very, very rarely ask for help. If I desperately need it, it feels okay, but I hate infringing on the time of others, knowing how precious my own spare mintutes are. My husband and girls are great support though and are always behind me. :)
ReplyDeleteNice post. I lean on my boyfriend is I need to vent frustration and I get together with my friends as a way to unwind! I have been able to juggle things on my own but have those special people in my life that keep me sane. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely nice to have support and encouragement - it always makes me feel more motivated when I know that there are people cheering me on. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I know it can be hard to ask for help...I'm hesitant to ask for favors because I don't want people to have to go out of their way to help me out. But it's good to know how to ask for help when you need it! :)
Oh how I envy those who have family and friends to encourage and support them. Maybe I come from a dysfunctional family but no one there seems to take my dreams or passions seriously. As for my friends, well let's just say they are all too busy with their own lives.
ReplyDeleteBut I could not agree with you more wholeheartedly. Support systems make the load so much lighter and any task is more enjoyable if there are two or more to lend their hands, help or heart. :)