Look – it does feel really crazy to do this. It IS crazy to do this. But it’s doable and if you find people who think “crazy” like you, the feeling crazy goes away. You feel more inspired. More confident in your decision. Oh how much time I could have saved if I hadn’t spent the better half of three years second guessing whether I was doing the right thing. I know it now and I want you to know it too.
WE Encourage Women Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurship is probably one of the hardest things you’ll ever do. It should probably come with a disclaimer that says “You’ll feel overwhelmed and lonely for at least two years”. We know because we've been there.
But if you choose to do entrepreneurship with WE, we can also tell you that you’ll have a support system to fall back on when you get started. You’ll have a support system when you choose to grow. When you get a bad review. When life simply gets too hard to handle.
WE exists because sometimes all you need to keep going is a single word of encouragement, and we can proudly say that our community happily provides that for each other.
Your biggest cheerleader,
Marie-Anne Mousseau-Holland
You’d be crazy not to do it.
Look – it does feel really crazy to do this. It IS crazy to do this. But it’s doable and if you find people who think “crazy” like you, the feeling crazy goes away. You feel more inspired. More confident in your decision. Oh how much time I could have saved if I hadn’t spent the better half of three years second guessing whether I was doing the right thing. I know it now and I want you to know it too.
Because we want to know the real you.
We love the Chamber and the other networking organizations. They have their purpose and we have ours. We chose to be entrepreneurs because we like to do things our way. Because we could dress a certain way. So we could dye our hair purple or ride horses all day. But it’s also because we’re emotional creatures that can’t get happy for months at a time sometimes. Or are so anxious you can’t hold a conversation. We want you to come then too. Especially then. We don’t even need to chat, we can just be alone, together. Just get yourself there.
No odd women out.
What can we say? We love growing our network. Because when we grow our network, we all grow our opportunities, and eventually, our businesses. Whether you are still at the idea stage or you’ve been doing it for years, if you’re into being around other motivating and hard-working women, you’ll fit right in. I grew up a tomboy, playing hockey, football, baseball, you name it, I played it. So I was always kind of the odd one out. Then going into IT, I pretty much kept myself away from other women all my life. And yet, I haven’t feel so heard and seen as I have these past two years. There truly is value in being others that have shared experiences similar to your own.
Advice only when asked.
Our Facebook community is the perfect place to vent or ask for encouragement! It’s a place you can say “this person didn’t only leave a negative review, they left a really mean one and I really want to respond rudely”. We’ll make you laugh, tell you that person sucks, offer a shoulder to cry on and tell you how awesome you are. Because we all need that when someone tears you down.
Community over competition always.
In-Home Bakery? Real Estate Agent? Photographer? Yes, we have plenty of them, but it doesn’t mean there isn’t room for you! We truly believe you and your business are unique. You serve different customers. You are at different stages, have different turnaround times, whatever it may be. So trust us when we say there’s enough pie for all of us, and your “competitors” are ready to become your friends.
Be the good.
No happiness-sucking dementors. No Karens, Heathers, or Mean Girls. There’s a way to give feedback without being mean and that’s our standard. If something doesn’t work for you, make a suggestion or take initiative to fix the problem. Lift each other up.
I work full time in our business outside of the home and make it to about 50% of meet ups. We have a babysitter though. I make it an absolute point to take off for 2 hours a month to go to these because they truly are beneficial for the mind heart and for networking your business! I basically look at it as a business meeting that I cannot miss.
The knowledge and relationships that I have built by being apart of this group have been a HUGE boost to my business. It is great to be apart of something where everyone genuinely only want to see you succeed and offer help or resources make that happen! It has been a pleasure getting to know these ladies and help protect some of their businesses by writing or reviewing their insurance coverage!
WE has been an integral part of launching my new business. I would not be where I am today without this amazing group of women entrepreneurs who I now call my friends as well as my colleagues. My only regret is that I didn’t join the group sooner!
I’m just gonna put in my two cents because this became exactly what I wanted it to be (a support system for women entrepreneurs) but it has also grown into so much more! To see the collaborations, people helping each other out, seeing people in the same industry work with each other instead of against has been so refreshing. I love getting to spend time in this group learning about everyone’s business and seeing them grow!
I was added a few days after I decided to start my photography business, and I cannot say enough about the support, advice, and meaningful relationships I’ve gained from this group. These ladies guided me from the ground up and ALWAYS support me and help when I need it. I am not the most active member, but that does not hinder all the knowledge I gain through these ladies. I owe part of my success to this group of amazing entrepreneurs.
We understand the unique struggles that being a woman entrepreneur brings and we have created a unique community around that fact. Your days of being lonely, misunderstood, afraid, and anxious are over – if you’re willing to put yourself out there and do the work.
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