Earning Tip: Informal support group creates space to be honest

January 23, 2006
Well, I cleaned the house, hid the toys and make a huge pork-roast for the informal networking dinner I hosted on Thursday- the Seven Fabulous Women. I was deeply struck by how honest we all were. I belong to formal networking groups as well (the monthly luncheon and keynote speaker type of event) but having an informal group is different. In formal networking, it feels like I have to wear a certain “face”- I project confidence and success, even if I don’t feel it. But in an informal group we can all let our hair down. One of our group shared how much more money she made this year than last. Yeah! And then someone shared how frustrated she was with not making enough money. In the course of the evening there were genuine tears of joy and tears of sadness and frustration. Women feel deeply, and being in business for yourself doesn’t change that. It is important to have a place where you can share what is really happening in your business and get honest support and feedback. Business has ups and downs, and to pretend otherwise is a set-up. We all supported what was going on for each other (which is not all business-related!) and swapped ideas and resources. By the end of the evening I felt full and was excited to move forward.
Mikelann Valterra
http://www.womenearning.com

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