How a Solopreneur Community Pushes You Forward
Better conversations lead to faster growth.
You've gotten used to the idea that every business decision depends on you… but it still makes you uncomfortable at times.
You do research. You spend endless hours thinking through various scenarios. You second-guess yourself. Even when you’ve finally reached a decision, there's no one to tell you whether you're heading in the right direction or simply spinning your wheels. The "solo" in solopreneur feels very isolating during these moments.
I’ve noticed something over the years I’ve been running my solo business. Sometimes the best inspiration comes from conversations with fellow solopreneurs— the right ones, with the right people. The conversations might give me an angle I hadn't considered, or someone shares how a tactic has worked in their own business.
These insights are invaluable. But for the conversations to happen, you have to show up in communities where other business owners can “rub off” on you.
What does community look like for a solopreneur?
When most people hear "community," they think of networking, such as virtual chats or collecting contacts at events. Networking is certainly important, since it can open doors for you, but that's not what I'm talking about here.
For solopreneurs, community means having people you can actually talk to about the messy, real decisions that are going on in your business. You might even talk about the operational-type stuff that’s giving you grief, such as your systems or whether ot not you need to hire help. Communities are the business equivalent of having coworkers — except you have to find the group on your own, because it doesn't come with the job.
Two types of communities matter the most for you:
- Peer groups are people at roughly your stage, facing similar challenges. You swap ideas and give each other honest feedback.
- Growth groups are mostly people further ahead in their business than you. This is where you can really learn and push yourself.
You can't get the type of feedback you need as a business owner without community. Sure, you can consume content (for example, by following business owners online). You can read a hundred blog posts about pricing strategy. But a conversation with someone who just raised their rates — and can tell you exactly how it went — is far more valuable.
3 tips for finding the right community as a solopreneur
Getting the most out of a community requires you to find the right one, and then show up — consistently and with intention.
Here’s how to get started.
1. Find your peer group first
Start with groups that are free and accessible. Industry Slack groups, LinkedIn communities, and local meetups are great places to look for a group of solopreneurs or business owners. There are more options than you think, especially online.
Your goal is to find people at a similar stage who understand the specific challenges of running a one-person business. There’s no specific size you should look for, but a too-small group might not have enough free-flowing conversations, and a too-big group might feel overwhelming. You need people who will actually talk to you.
I joined a group that had thousands of participants (in Slack). While the Slack group had dozens of different channels across specific areas of interest, it was nearly impossible to have meaningful conversations.
If you're not sure where to start, try networking with other solopreneurs and ask them if they’re in any communities they like. Not all groups are public, and you might have the best luck with an invite-only group from someone you know.
2. Seek out groups where you're the least experienced person
Once you have your peer group, start looking for groups of people who are further along in their businesses. This is where the real growth can happen.
These groups might feel intimidating at first. You might wonder whether you belong or have anything to contribute. That discomfort is actually a signal that you're in the right place. When you start thinking like a CEO about your business, you realize that investing in growth — including being in groups that challenge you — is part of the job.
I’m in one group that has members with far more successful businesses than me (at least in terms of revenue). They’re talking about hiring multiple contractors or how they invest all the money they earn. That’s not where I’m at. But my contributions are around operations and automation. I’m very good at systems and tools, and my knowledge applies to any business.
Tell yourself that you have something to offer these “next step” groups, even if you aren’t sure what that is yet. You’ll figure it out once you join.
3. Contribute before you need anything
The relationships that have the biggest impact on your business won’t happen in a single conversation. And they're built through generosity — asking good questions, sharing real experiences, being honest about what's worked and what hasn't.
What you can’t do is show up in a group, absorb and learn from everyone else, and never give back. Even if you’re brand new to your solopreneur journey and don’t have any experience yet, you could share things like resources you found helpful or make an introduction. There are many ways to contribute.
And when you’ve built up a meaningful community, you can lean on people. I had brain surgery, which forced me to step back from my business. The people who stepped up were from relationships that I’d been building for years. Many of them were online friends, whom I’d never met in person, from various communities I’d participated in. That kind of support doesn’t happen overnight, and it doesn’t happen if you only reach out when you need something.
Your fellow solopreneurs are not your competition. They're your best source of perspective and honest feedback you can't get anywhere else.
Help those who are still learning
At some point, you'll realize you've become the experienced person in the room. When that happens, pay it forward.
The solopreneurs who helped you figure things out did so because someone helped them first. Being generous with what you’ve learned is how that cycle continues. Continuing to participate in communities reinforces what you already know while keeping you connected to fresh perspectives.
That's a big reason I spend so much time writing and talking about building a solo business. The early days of my business were shaped by people who had more experience. And I know exactly how hard it can be in the beginning, and I genuinely want to make it easier for people who are just getting started on their solo journey.
Anna Burgess Yang
Conversations can change the trajectory of your business
The solopreneur advantage is speed. You can make decisions and pivot without layers of approval. But that advantage only works if you have good inputs, meaning you’re confident that you’re making the right call (at least, based on the information that you have).
Seek out communities. They’ll move you further than any blog post (including this one!). Join a community, ask for feedback, and contribute what you know. The right conversation at the right time can save you months of trial and error… and maybe open doors you didn't know existed.
Want to build a life-first business?
These reflections will help you determine your priorities.
Common mistakes people make with communities
- Joining communities but never contributing. Lurking doesn't build relationships. You have to participate, even if it feels awkward at first.
- Only reaching out when you need something. That makes a community feel transactional.
- Staying only in peer groups and never seeking growth groups. You need both. Peer groups help you with where you’re at, and growth groups push you forward.
- Confusing online consumption with community. Following people on social media isn't the same as being in a group with them. Community requires interaction.
- Spending money on a mastermind before you’re ready. Plenty of excellent communities are free. Start there to learn what format works for you before paying to be in a group.
FAQs
How do solopreneurs find a community when they work alone?
Industry-specific Slack groups, LinkedIn communities, and virtual coworking groups are all accessible and often free. Look for groups with active participation where members actually respond to questions. Many solopreneurs find their strongest communities through consistent participation in one or two focused groups.
What's the difference between a peer group and a mastermind?
A peer group is typically informal with people at a similar stage, meeting regularly to share challenges and swap advice. A mastermind is usually more structured and often paid, with a facilitator, specific goals, and accountability built in. Both are valuable, but peer groups are a great starting point.
Do you need to pay for a mastermind to grow your business?
No. Plenty of solopreneurs build strong communities through free Slack groups, LinkedIn connections, and informal peer groups. Start with free options and invest in paid communities when you've figured out what format works best for you.
How do you contribute to a community when you're just starting out?
Ask good questions, share what you're learning in real time, and be honest about what's working and what isn't. You don't need to be an expert to add value. Showing up consistently and being genuinely engaged matters more than having all the answers.
Can online communities replace in-person networking?
A mix of online and in-person is ideal if it's accessible to you. In some cases, in-person might not be available. For many solopreneurs, online communities are the primary source of professional connection — and they work well. Participation matters more than physical proximity.
How do you know if a community is worth your time?
Look for signs of real engagement: members responding to each other and honest conversations. If you've been in a group for a few months and haven't had a meaningful conversation or learned anything useful, it's not the right fit.
