Loneliness and the small business owner

There is something that I've noticed lately. When I ask people who I meet what is their biggest challenge when running their business, a good few are mentioning the isolation and loneliness.

But how can this be you say? Aren't there all kinds of networking events and outlets out there? Well yes, but there is an elephant in the room I feel. It takes courage to get out there and promote your business. If you want sales and want people to know what you do, it's essential to get out there and tell people. No one will know to buy from you or hire you unless to say what it is you do. But what if you work from home and can't get to events?

I can be in a room full of people and still feel lonely. Nowadays as my profile has grown so much, it's easier as most of the time someone will recognize me and will come over and say hi. But for the small business owner who really isn't as outgoing as I am, imagine how much guts it takes to go to that event?

Running a business from home like I do, can be very isolating. You know that when you are tapping on the keyboard, that you are working, but your family just see your body and don't realize that you are solving a problem or concentrating on wording that email correctly. You love your business, but sometimes your family around you don't 'get' why you can't talk until the email is finished or 'you can't have the kettle on while you do that skype call.'

This alone can create a feeling of loneliness. I can feel lonely when I'm in the middle of an issue and I get an email about something which requires help. e.g. I need to be able to bounce ideas and queries off someone but no one is here beside me. I can't say anything about the email. I've no one to talk to. This is why I engage so much with others online. Or you have an 'issue' or a 'challenge' that you feel might not be fair. Feeling alone is very common among people I've spoken to. You are not the only one having this challenge. But how will you know that with no one around you who is also in your situation.

Human contact is something that is missing from the life of the small business owner who works from home like me. That's why when you see that person come to a networking event on their own it's so important to make an effort and go over and say hi.

I've always done this, as I understand what it is like. Getting out to an event is rare for me as I'm also a Mum. So for me to get out and mingle with humans is an exciting time for me, yet if I get ignored it can be very disheartening. So I always make the effort and go up to the person who is on their own. Working from home, as a service provider can also be confusing sometimes, as you don't actually have a physical product to sell. You have to prove your ability thorough giving tips, video, social media and online engagement. I tried to explain the value of Twitter today to someone who doesn't use it at all. They just weren't interested and dismissed it as a waste of time. So not all people in the real world can understand what you do unless you actually show them.

Here is a video I did on how to create a Twitter account.

By sharing this video I am showing my expertise and showing I am the expert. There are many experts like me who work from home on their own. This article is for you! I set up Women's inspire network for people just like me. I wanted to keep learning and also I wanted to support others. So I created my own version of a network which is also global so I could connect with others from all over the world! Online lets you do that. So join us and learn with me, have coffee online with us and be part of the really supportive vibe we have going on. You are no longer alone! Join here

You can't beat human to human networking in real life, but if you can't get to events like me, then create your own 'tribe' who 'get you' and what you do. I understand the loneliness and you are not alone, there are lots of us out there. We just need to find each other.

Or am I wrong? Please do comment and let me know.