From Isolation to Inspiration: The Power of Community

As a solopreneur, my journey has been a blend of challenges and triumphs, often marked by feelings of isolation. When I first started my clothing business, I was navigating the world of entrepreneurship while juggling the demands of motherhood. The early days were often solitary, filled with late nights of packing suitcases for pop-ups and early mornings of school drop-offs. But as I ventured further, I discovered the transformative power of community—especially among women.

In those initial months, I found myself working alone, often doubting my decisions and abilities. The weight of responsibility felt heavy, and I longed for connection. I realized that while I was building a business, I was also craving a support system of like-minded women who understood the unique challenges of balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship.

As I did more bazaars and pop-ups outside my home, I began to find other women in business who shared similar aspirations and struggles. Each conversation brought a sense of belonging and encouragement. I discovered that my experiences were not isolated but part of a larger narrative shared by many women, specially mompreneurs. This realization was empowering.

That’s when I decided to leverage on this strength of a community and started Mums@PLAY – an events platform to bring ‘mompreneurs’ together offering them an opportunity to showcase their products and services, focusing more on a long-term relationship and work as support group. As our business started growing, I decided to take it a step further and started organizing meetups and business workshops for women entrepreneurs in Hong Kong. These gatherings became spaces for sharing not just business tips but also personal stories of resilience and growth. Women who once felt isolated began to find inspiration in one another, creating a ripple effect of empowerment.

Through these experiences, I learned that community is not just a support system; it is a powerful catalyst for personal and professional growth. So how does one start a community, I’m often asked.

Starting a community can be a rewarding journey. Here are some key steps to help you get started:

1. Identify Your Purpose
   Define the mission and goals of your community. What do you want to achieve? Consider the specific needs and interests of the people you want to attract. My vision for the Mums@PLAY (MAP) group was clear. A safe space to share experiences as business owners and mothers.
   
2. Choose Your Platform
   Decide where your community will gather. Options include social media groups and forums. Consider using social media platforms like Facebook, Linkedin or WhatsApp depending on your audience’s preferences. While earlier groups were mostly on Facebook, nowadays groups on WhatsApp are increasingly popular because of the ease of use.
   
3. Build a Strong Foundation
   Create guidelines and values that reflect the community’s purpose.
   Establish rules for engagement to foster a respectful and supportive environment. This becomes important as the group gets bigger and can threaten personal boundaries and space. Having “business hours” “group rules” and “promotion days” can help stay focused to the objective of the group.
   
4. Engage Your Audience
   Start by inviting friends, family, and colleagues who share your vision. Encourage participation through discussions, polls, and events to keep members engaged. I remember personally inviting a few of my Indian mum-friends in Hong Kong to join my newly started ”Indian Mums in HK” Facebook group more than 10 years ago. We are now at almost 5000 members!
   
5. Share Valuable Content
   Provide resources, tips, and information that resonate with your community’s interests. Share your own genuine experiences and invite others to share theirs to build connections.
   
6. Foster Connections
   Organize regular meetups, both online and offline, to strengthen relationships. Encourage members to collaborate, share ideas, and support each other. When we first started I highly encouraged in-person meet-ups for members to know each other better.
   
7. Be Consistent
   Regularly communicate with your community, whether through newsletters, social media posts, or events. Consistency helps build trust and keeps members engaged.
   
8. Invite Feedback
   Ask for input on how to improve the community. This shows that you value members’ opinions and fosters a sense of ownership.
   
9. Celebrate Achievements
   Acknowledge milestones and successes within the community. Celebrating achievements helps create a positive atmosphere.
   
10. Adapt and Grow
    Be open to change as your community evolves. Stay responsive to the needs and interests of your members. Add a responsible moderator if the group numbers get too large to handle.
    
    Starting a community takes time and effort, but the connections and support that emerge can be truly transformative for everyone involved. Next on the horizon is the launch of a coaching community in Hong Kong! Coaches, are you ready to join forces and inspire one another on this exciting journey?