Are there any good business support groups out there that I can interact with? – StartupSmart

I’ve started a home-based business and am finding the experience stressful and, often, lonely. Are there any good support groups out there that I can interact with?

Like all business realities, there are the good, the bad and the ugly and then there are the useful, the helpful and the dreadful rip offs.

It really comes down to what sort of support you are seeking and the extent that it is emotional or technical support that you are looking for at this time.

More and more people are realising that they can make a go of a home based business, but have a similar experience to you: it’s difficult, lonely and never ending.

Networking can become a belonging thing rather than a real support for your business development and equally it can be an invaluable window into the prior experience of those that have been through it all and survived to make a real go of it.

There are three types of support networks that you can access via the internet:

• Those that are essentially self-help and support networks for people in home based businesses – see here for example, which is an online community “for parents who are looking for the right work-life balance and want genuine support and practical assistance in their journey.”

• Those that are essentially small businesses offering their services – see here for example, which will “help your small business get the most out of the Internet by providing all sorts of relevant information, networking and promotional opportunities, mostly at little or no cost.”

• Those that are fully developed membership organisations – see here for example, that started with a few women helping each other, sharing business contacts, information and ideas for success.

It’s also a good idea to check out what’s on offer for business networking through your local council. You never know, you may make good friends as well as great business contacts.