Breaking Free from the Naysayers: How to Handle Doubters and Build a Supportive Circle

When I first stepped into the world of networking, I was terrified. I had spent 25 years as a stay-at-home mom, and suddenly, I was in rooms full of confident professionals who seemed to have it all figured out. It was intimidating. But the biggest lesson I learned—and the one that changed everything—was this: networking is ineffective if we aren't willing to show people who we really are. When we embrace our authentic selves, we move further, faster. When we collaborate instead of compete, we create an environment where everyone thrives.

Entrepreneurship is not a solitary journey, though it may sometimes feel that way. Many of us have well-meaning friends and family members who just don’t understand what we’re trying to accomplish. How many times have we encountered someone who gently suggests, "Why don’t you just get a job like everyone else?" They don’t see the passion, the vision, the fire that drives us. And that’s okay. We don’t need them to believe in our business idea—we need them to believe in us.

That’s where community comes in. And not just any community—the WESOS community. WESOS sisters are committed to each other and to the success of the individual, not just the business the individual is building. We support the human being who is determined to make the world a better place with her ideas, passion, and vision. We are here to lift each other up, to listen, to encourage, and to be the cheerleaders that every entrepreneur needs.

Feminine energy thrives on collective success. Unlike the traditional, individualistic climb to the top, we believe in lifting as we rise. There is joy in seeing those around us succeed. There is power in collaboration, in sharing resources, and in celebrating each other’s wins. When one of us thrives, the entire community benefits.

So I encourage every WESOS sister: get out there and truly listen to others. Hear their passion. Understand the ways they are working to make the world a better place. And then encourage them. Maybe offer a resource, make an introduction, or simply remind them that they are not alone. We all need a cheering section to keep us going. Let that cheering section be your WESOS sisters.

We are a community that refuses to let you fail. And together, we will all rise.