Why Every Entrepreneur Needs People in Their Corner

Building a business takes vision and determination, but the right relationships make the journey stronger.

I have a question for you. If you were facing a major business decision tomorrow, who would you call?

Not to vent. Not to ask for a referral. And not to hear someone tell you what you want to hear. Who would you trust enough to share the whole situation with, including the numbers, the uncertainty, and the possibility that you might be making a mistake?

Now, here's another question. Would that person be willing to tell you if they thought you were wrong?

Here's what I know about entrepreneurs, as one myself. We're often really good at making connections, but not always as intentional about turning those connections into meaningful relationships.

We meet people at events, exchange contact information, make introductions, and promise to get together for coffee. Sometimes we follow through. Sometimes that business card sits on our desk until we can't remember who gave it to us.

But every once in a while, a connection becomes something more. Someone you trust enough to share the challenges you don't talk about publicly. Someone who asks the questions you haven't thought to ask yourself. Someone who genuinely cares whether you succeed and is willing to help you get there.

Those relationships don't happen simply because we know a lot of people. They develop when we take the time to get to know one another beyond what we do for a living. There's a difference between being well-connected and being well-supported.

And I believe that difference has a tremendous impact on how we grow our businesses.

The Relationships That Really Matter

Networking is valuable. I've built businesses around connecting people, so you'll never hear me suggest otherwise. But relationships have different levels of depth. Some people are great referral partners. Others are collaborators, customers, or professional acquaintances. Those relationships matter.

Then there are the people who know you well enough to recognize when you're playing it safe, taking on too much, or overlooking an opportunity.

They're the people who ask questions instead of immediately offering solutions. They share their experiences without assuming your situation is identical. And they care enough about your success to have conversations that aren't always comfortable.

Those are the relationships I want more entrepreneurs to experience. Because when you're responsible for making the decisions, having someone who helps you think through them is incredibly valuable.

Sometimes the Person Who Benefits Most Is You

When I founded Ensemble Coworking in Fort Worth in 2016, my vision was to create a place where entrepreneurs could connect, collaborate, and support one another. And I've had the privilege of watching that happen for more than ten years.

Members have built friendships, found clients, collaborated on projects, shared resources, and helped one another through challenges. Some have stayed for years. Others have moved on as their businesses have grown or their needs have changed.

Here's something I don't talk about nearly enough. Some of the most meaningful relationships that have come out of Ensemble have been the ones that supported me. Over the years, members have become trusted friends, advisors, and people I could turn to when I needed another perspective.

I've sought their advice about employee challenges, difficult business decisions, and how to navigate the uncertainty of the pandemic. When I was considering expanding Ensemble by another 1,500 square feet in 2022, I had people I could talk through that decision with. 

And there have been moments when I've questioned my own worth and the value of the work I was doing. Having people who knew me, understood what I was building, and could offer an honest perspective made a difference.

When big box competitors came into the marketplace, I began to question everything about Ensemble. The decor, the logo colors, the furniture and more. I turned to a long time member for guidance and to be a sounding board. She wasn’t someone to sugar coat her words which is what I needed. I remember so well when she said “Tamara, we are all here because of what you created, because of what Ensemble is just as it is. Don’t change the logo, don’t try to be them. Be Ensemble. The way you created it will attract the ones who want a space like this.” I’d be lying if I didn’t say that tears were streaming down my face by the time she finished her impassioned plea to keep Ensemble as it is.

That is just one moment in hundreds of moments where I was the recipient of trusted relationships I developed because of Ensemble. Think about that for a moment. I created a space intended to support hundreds of entrepreneurs and small business owners. Yet, in many ways, I've been one of the greatest beneficiaries of the wisdom and relationships that developed within its walls.

I didn't anticipate just how much those relationships would mean to me when I opened the doors. And it's one of the reasons I believe so deeply in the power of the entrepreneurial community.

You Need Cheerleaders. You Also Need People Who Will Push Back.

I have some wonderful cheerleaders in my life. They're the people who encourage me when I'm feeling discouraged, remind me of what I've accomplished, and help me find my enthusiasm when it's running a little low. We all need those people.

But the people I consider truly in my corner offer something more. They're the ones I can bring an exciting new idea to, and instead of immediately telling me how wonderful it is, they'll start asking questions. Have you considered this? What happens if that doesn't work? Are you overlooking something? Is this really the best use of your time and resources?

Sometimes those questions are frustrating. Especially when I'm excited about an idea and ready to run with it. But that's exactly why I need them.

I recently had this happen with the launch of my new programs in my coaching business. A trusted advisor immediately started asking pointed questions. It felt yucky and like she wasn’t supporting me. It was the complete opposite. She was causing me to think, challenging all aspects of my idea so I can flesh it out and create a stronger foundation in which to launch.

A trusted advisor isn't someone who agrees with everything you say. It's someone who cares enough about you and your business to point out the gaps, question your assumptions, and occasionally suggest that an idea isn't worth pursuing.

The people who offer the most valuable perspectives aren't necessarily older, more experienced, or more successful than you. They may come from a completely different industry. They may have less business experience but a different life experience that helps them see something you don't. They bring a different lens to the conversation.

Of course, that doesn't mean you have to follow every piece of advice you receive. You're still responsible for your decisions. But when you've built relationships with people you trust, you owe it to yourself to listen with an open mind. Sometimes the best advice is the advice you initially don't want to hear.

Connections Don't Become Relationships by Accident

One of the biggest misconceptions I see about business networking is that making the connection is the accomplishment. It's really just the beginning.

You meet someone interesting, discover a shared interest, exchange information, and go your separate ways. What happens next is what matters. And here's a bit of good news. Building meaningful business relationships doesn't have to consume hours of your week. It does, however, require intentional effort.

Follow up with someone after an event. Invite them for coffee. Ask questions about their business beyond what they sell or who their ideal customer is. Find out what they're working toward, what they're excited about, and what experiences have shaped how they think. Look for common interests, complementary strengths, and opportunities to learn from one another.

And don't make every interaction about business. Some of my strongest professional relationships developed because we discovered things we had in common outside of work. We got to know one another as people first.

Trust develops differently in every relationship. Sometimes there's an immediate connection. Other times, it takes months or years of conversations and shared experiences. But trust rarely grows when the only time someone hears from you is when you need something. Meaningful relationships are reciprocal. They require us to be genuinely interested in the other person's success, not just our own.

Who Helps You When You Don't Know What to Do?

There's a particular kind of pressure that comes with owning a small business. When you're working alone or leading a small team, you may not have a leadership group to help evaluate decisions. You may not have a business partner to challenge your thinking or a board of advisors to provide guidance.

And some decisions aren't appropriate to discuss with employees or customers. So you carry them yourself. You think about them while driving. You replay conversations. You weigh the possibilities over and over. Sometimes you make a decision too quickly because you want the uncertainty to end.

Other times, you become so overwhelmed by the possibilities that you don't make a decision at all. Neither is necessarily good for your business. This is where mentors, trusted advisors, and peer advisory groups can make a tremendous difference.

Having people who understand the responsibilities of business ownership gives you a place to talk through challenges, explore options, and consider consequences before moving forward. They won't make the decisions for you. But they can help you make better informed decisions.

And when those relationships are built on trust and confidentiality, you have the freedom to talk about the real issues, including the ones you might not feel comfortable sharing anywhere else.

For entrepreneurs who spend so much of their time being the person everyone else depends on, that kind of support is invaluable.

Make Room for the People Who Make You Better

As we celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week and its theme, Entrepreneurs Thrive Here, I've been thinking about what it really takes to create an environment where entrepreneurs thrive.

Certainly, access to resources, opportunities, education, and professional workspaces matters. But I believe the relationships we develop along the way are just as important.

At Ensemble Coworking, we've seen what happens when entrepreneurs share a workspace and become part of a community. Conversations turn into friendships. Introductions lead to opportunities. People who once knew each other only by name become trusted sources of advice and encouragement.

And sometimes, the person who came looking for a place to work discovers something they didn't even realize they needed. People in their corner.

So I'd like to leave you with a different kind of networking challenge. Don't focus on how many new people you can meet this month. Instead, think about one or two connections you've already made that deserve a little more attention.

Reach out. Have a real conversation. Learn something about them you didn't know before. Look for ways you might support one another.

And if you don't currently have people you can turn to for honest business advice, consider finding a mentor or joining a trusted peer advisory group. Be intentional about building the relationships that will support you through the decisions, opportunities, and challenges ahead.

Because being surrounded by people isn't the same as having people in your corner. And every entrepreneur deserves to know the difference.

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About Tamara Carlen

Tamara Carlen is an entrepreneur, business strategist, and founder and CEO of Ensemble Coworking in Fort Worth, Texas. With more than 25 years of experience building businesses and entrepreneurial communities, she is passionate about helping small business owners develop meaningful relationships, navigate challenges, and grow with greater confidence. Through Carlen Coaching and Pillar Growth Groups, she continues that mission by bringing entrepreneurs together for trusted conversations, strategic guidance, and peer support.

About Ensemble Coworking

Founded in 2016, Ensemble Coworking is a locally owned and operated coworking community in Fort Worth's Near Southside. Offering private offices, dedicated desks, open coworking, meeting rooms, and virtual office services, Ensemble provides entrepreneurs, small business owners, and remote professionals with flexible workspace solutions and opportunities to connect, collaborate, and grow. At Ensemble, you're not just finding a place to work. You're becoming part of a community where entrepreneurs thrive.