I’ve had business ideas for years, my husband Scott and I have purchased more than our fair share of domain names “just in case” the heavens open up to give us the right time and resources. Please tell me I’m not the only one.
Oh the businesses that could have been. There were valid reasons why timing or resources wouldn’t allow, but in all honestly it was because I never put myself in the right space to know how to get started, let alone in the right way.
With launching Silver Thatch Solutions, things were different.
Things are just more fun when you learn, problem solve, and grow together. “You are who you surround yourself with” – so find those who have done what you want to do. For a “solo business”, I was not alone in learning how to get off to a good start and for that I am eternally grateful.
I found incredible mentors like Belinda Sandor and a community of entrepreneurs building similar businesses. Now I can’t imagine a week going by without tapping into my community if I need fresh eyes on a new idea, or just a “hey, you got this” text from a colleague. I get to share in their excitement – like last week when my friend Rachael texted me that she’d booked a new client! We’re a part of each other’s successes.
Last week a colleague asked me to teach her basics of a new software. It took very little time, so I asked her something about her website, and in less than an hour we both left knowing how to do something new.
See…I grew up without siblings in the house and I’m still new-ish to Gainesville, so it’s second nature to do things alone. If I fail no one has to know, right? My Mom jokes that “I’m always up to something” because by the time I tell her about it, it’s done.
In previous moves, I had an instant network of families because my kids were young and involved with activities. Add coworkers and you can build a community fairly quickly. Not the case when you move with adult children. So it’s been a growth experience for me to put myself out there and meet new people (in local groups and online). Speaking with new people, my work naturally comes up in conversations. It’s a part of my overall well-being that translates to my growing excitement.
But the icing on the cake is being “in the room” with a client to celebrate successfully completing a project. 
I recently helped a client with a webinar that resulted in her welcoming a surprising amount of new clients into her program by the next day. SHE brought years of expertise and I played a small part, but we could BOTH celebrate the success and it felt great! She can focus her energy on serving more clients knowing I’ll take care of some admin projects in the background.
As a solo-professional, I know your business is your “baby”. You’ve built it and it feels easier to keep doing it all because that’s the norm. It’s why I take time to get to know you, have conversations first to work through what your most pressing need might be, and we figure out if and how I could help. And it’s why I love how I’ve structured the business – there is no minimum monthly commitment. You need help, I’m here. If you don’t need help again until months later, that’s fine too.
Stepping out on your own doesn’t mean doing it alone—when we connect, collaborate, and support each other, it can be so much more fulfilling.