Only a few weeks ago, due to an inset day at school, I took my 11 year old daughter with me to a coffee and co-working morning, and midway through, my daughter asked me; “What’s the point of all this then?” My reply was; “Well, my sweet, it’s so that women who work for themselves can get to know each other, make friends, and focus on their work in a nice place, rather than doing it at the kitchen table and getting distracted by all the mundane tasks that demand their attention.”

As startup founders we are often working at speed, constantly juggling multiple tasks, dealing with uncertainty and making big decisions with limited resources. This is why supportive and no-pressure gatherings can be incredibly valuable.

Here are five reasons why I believe startup founders (particularly female startup founders) need supportive and no-pressure gatherings.

To have dedicated time for their wellness and wellbeing – startup founders are often isolated, dealing with stress, burnout, or even imposter syndrome. So, having a safe, supportive space where they can decompress and be around others who understand their journey can be super therapeutic. No-pressure and supportive gatherings allow founders to relax and focus on their wellness and wellbeing without the constant pressure to perform or network. My coffee and co-working mornings always start with a dedicated hour for relaxed connections, where we also share our pain points and intentions for the session before we get down to work.

To feel heard and understood – the truth is, not everyone gets it and that’s ok – but finding your tribe as you grow yourself and your business is not a luxury, it’s a need. It’s so important to surround yourself with others who are also working for themselves – because they do ‘get it’. We can support each other. We can hear each other. We can understand each other. Who you surround yourself with matters.

To not feel alone, isolated, or lonely – from all of our events and workshops, our co-working sessions are hugely popular. I find that co-working works so well because it creates a supportive and motivating environment where you can focus better. When you work alongside others, even if they’re doing different tasks, it helps you stay on track and feel less lonely. It’s like having a study buddy; their presence can make you feel more accountable and encourage you to keep working instead of getting distracted. Plus, seeing others being productive can inspire you to do the same! Participants often comment that they’re amazed how much work they’ve got done too.

To collaborate – collaboration over competition is key, particularly in female networks. When we stop seeing other women as our rivals or our competition, and start seeing them as our collaborators, our support network, our friends, that’s when the magic happens. I recently came across an interview with Stevie Nicks, who is 76-year-old and the only woman to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice, once as a member of Fleetwood Mac and then again as a solo artist. Stevie recalled an anecdote about the time she shared some words of wisdom with Katy Perry saying; “I don’t have rivals. I have friends. All the other women singers that I know are friends. Nobody’s competing.” It’s crucial to put ourselves in spaces where women are talking about healing, growth and their dreams, not other women – our vibe attracts your tribe, and equally, your tribe affects your vibe!

To learn – when I left my career in teaching almost a decade ago, I knew I wanted to build a community to support local parents, I initially trained as a Baby Massage Teacher, and in all honesty, I had zero idea of how to run a business, but started one anyway, because I had a mission and passion. I worked hard, surrounded myself with like-minded people and went on to replace and exceed my teaching salary within 6 months. Make sure you’re surrounding yourself with growth-minded people, who are talking about topics that uplift, stretch and educate you. There’s always something to be learnt from every single person you meet in life, and getting in a room full of people who work for themselves, you can learn SO much.

Supportive and no-pressure gatherings provide startup founders with much-needed spaces for relaxation, reflection, connection, and growth. In a world that often demands constant hustle and multiple hat wearing, these gatherings can offer a refreshing break to recharge, build relationships, and gain new perspectives… helping founders thrive both personally and professionally.

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