Find Your People
Most people can quickly name a handful of events in their life they consider to be turning points. Events so significant that had they not happened, present-day life would be drastically different. Events like marriages, friendships, births and deaths, education choices, etc.
For me, one of those momentous occasions was a decision I made ten years ago, in 2012, to attend the Stationery Academy conference.
At the time, I worked full-time for a printing company “designing” junk mail coupons for a national pizza company. Feeling my creativity (and perhaps my soul) die a little more every day, I began taking freelance jobs, eventually starting my own company on the side designing wedding invitations and other stationery. My college minors in both art and entrepreneurship gave me a basic understanding of how to run my own business, but I knew I needed more help. Specific and specialized help. I had big dreams, but not enough knowledge. I couldn’t afford to attend the first conference in 2011, but the following year I’d saved up enough money to go. To say I was “excited” would be a gross understatement!
Stationery Academy, Class of 2012
(please pardon the 2012 Iphone 3gs low photo quality)
What I didn’t foresee was a split with my then-husband less than two weeks before the conference took place. Though I won’t dive into all the reasons we parted ways (water under the bridge, so to speak), one thing he complained about was how much time I spent on my business. During one of the conference sessions, each attendee shared her biggest fears, the one holding her back from her dreams. Many had answers like, “I don’t feel like I’m good enough,” or “Others are doing exactly what I’m doing; what makes me special?” or “What if I fail?” Even though I had those same questions, it wasn’t my biggest fear at that moment. My answer? “What’s it going to cost me?” After all, my ambitions had directly contributed to the failure of my marriage.
What I gained those few days in Pensacola, however, was more than I could have ever hoped for. Being in a room with 20-or-so other women business owners chasing their own dreams, diving deep into our core business foundations, solidifying why we do what we do and what makes us unique, and starting new friendships was just what my hurting heart and bruised dreams needed. To sit under the leadership of Whitney English and Natalie Chang, both incredibly successful women in their own rights, and glean from their knowledge filled my cup to overflowing. I left that conference feeling confident like never before, and that confidence lives on.
I’d found my people.
I’ve never been the one who makes friends easily. I’m the wallflower, the quiet one in the back of the room (listening to everything), the classic introvert, the outsider… and aside from the junior high years that are awkward for everyone, I’ve been quite happy with who I am. If you’re an enneagram fan, I’m a textbook No. 5 (though I’m okay with socializing more than standard descriptions would suggest). So, for me to feel like I belonged in a group of relative strangers was a very big deal.
Over the years, Stationery Academy grew. Most years there was one conference, some years two, with every attendee joining a group of “alumni” women entrepreneurs. In 2016 the name changed to Society for Creative Founders (SCF), which better reflected the growing number of non-stationery creatives who attended the conference. The alumni group flourished, as did an additional online community comprised of both alumni and non-alumni. An online course was offered twice, walking participants through the six core pillars of the Creative Founders method. The first in-person alumni retreat happened in 2018, and several more have happened since.
Stationery Academy 2016
Though I’ll save the saga of my own business journey for another post, I’ve been part of Creative Founders in many ways through the years. I’m a 3-time conference alumni (2012, 2016, 2020). I’ve been a member of the online community for most of it’s existence. My personal favorite, though, was the alumni retreat I attended last fall; it was indescribably refreshing to spend a few days with four other women, really getting to know and help each other work through our goals.
I’m still here because of the people.
While no group is perfect (we’re all flawed human beings, after all), these women have been welcoming, selfless, open-hearted, and willing to walk alongside each other in both successes and setbacks. If I ever have a question or need help, I know someone will be there to help. Even though the membership of the group has grown and changed through the years, I’ve felt like I belonged from day one.
If you’re a small business owner—whether a freelancer just starting out, running a creative business in addition to working full-time (been there!), or been in business for years—find your people. Find a group of like-minded people who will support you when things get tough, encourage you, tell you what you need to hear, lift you up.
You can learn more about the Society for Creative Founders at societyforcreativefounders.com. Even if you decide SCF isn’t for you, keep looking! There are lots of small business groups and communities, for all types of businesses and all types of people. Some groups are local, and others nationwide or worldwide. Keep looking! I guarantee you’ll find your people, and you’ll be better for it.
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