Nobody really warns you about this part. You leave a job, start a business, and somewhere along the way realize there’s nobody down the hall to bounce an idea off. No team lunch. No coworker who gets why today was terrible. Just you, your laptop, and a lot of decisions.
Feeling alone as a business owner is common. It’s also fixable, though not by working harder or posting more. It takes a bit of intention.
Why it happens
- You’re the only decision-maker. There’s no one to share the weight with.
- Friends and family don’t always get it. They care, but they may not understand why a contract or a client matters so much.
- You can’t be fully honest with clients or employees. You need to project confidence, even on shaky weeks.
- Working from home means you can go days without a real conversation about work.
- Busy weeks squeeze out connection first. When things get hectic, coffee with a peer is the first thing to go.
What helps
Find other business owners
This is the biggest one. People who run businesses understand things that are hard to explain to anyone else: irregular income, client drama, the weight of making payroll, the joy of landing a big contract. You don’t need many. A few people you can call or message makes a real difference.
Make it regular
One great conversation helps for a day. A standing connection helps for a year. Look for something that repeats: a monthly peer group, a weekly coffee, a community with regular events. Put it on your calendar so it survives busy weeks.
Be honest about how it’s going
Connection doesn’t help much if you’re performing “everything’s great” for everyone. Find at least one place where you can say “this month is hard” and get practical support instead of either pity or a pep talk.
Get out of the house sometimes
If you work from home, a change of scenery helps more than you’d expect. A coworking space a day or two a week, a coffee shop, a library. Being around other people working, even strangers, can take the edge off.
Share decisions
A trusted advisor, a bookkeeper you actually talk to, a peer group. You don’t have to give up control to get input. The Hidden Cost of Making Every Decision Yourself goes into this.
Know when it’s more than loneliness
Feeling isolated now and then is part of running a business. If it’s persistent, or affecting your sleep, mood, or ability to function, please talk to a doctor or a mental health professional. That’s worth taking seriously.
You’re not the only one
This is a big reason WEN exists. Running a business may be yours to do. It doesn’t have to be yours to figure out alone.
WEN Round Tables are small, free conversations on Zoom with women running real businesses, a good place to meet people who get it. And the WEN Facebook group is there for the questions, wins and bad days in between.
Related reading: Why Smart Business Owners Still Need Peer Support.
