If you really think about it, starting a small business is a lot like starting on an epic adventure. While sure, for a lot of people, it’s just another chapter in life, this within itself deserves its own story, not just a chapter! Just think about it: there’s the excitement of a fresh start, the thrill of creating something new, and the hope of growing it into something great.
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But, as many entrepreneurs quickly find out, this journey is not without its challenges. And one of the biggest obstacles a small business can face is trying to go it alone without the backing of a supportive community.
In stories, especially children’s stories, there’s always a support system for the main character, right? The same goes for shows and movies, too. So, these people need one. In daily life, you need them, so what does your business do differently? Overall, community is the biggest resource needed in a business, and here’s how the lack of one can really bring things down.
There’s the Isolation Blues
So, just imagine opening your doors to a brand-new café, only to find that the tables remain empty day after day. It’s not because your coffee isn’t delicious or your pastries aren’t to die for. It’s because no one knows you’re there.
There was a Seinfeld episode that was really reminiscent of that, too. But generally speaking, small businesses often struggle with visibility without a community to spread the word. But it’s not even just cafes, actually, it doesn’t even need to be an in-person business either. It can just be a business, just a business that’s solely online.
The Financial Strain
Now, this one might be the biggest of them all, and yes, this is one of the harsh realities for many small businesses. No one likes to juggle finances, but this is a reality. For example, online gaming, there’s so much that goes into it financially speaking; you have your servers, you need staff (like customer service), usually a marketing department (unless it’s outsourced), you also have the online gaming merchant account (which also tends to allow for multiple payments-especially if customers are worldwide), and then the physical location and the list goes on and on.
Now, gaming communities are known for supporting their games; just think about some of the biggest gaming communities right now (both online gaming and offline gaming); you have Fortnite, HALO, WoW, Genshin Imapact, and yes, of course, offline gaming too like the Mario series, The Sims, LoZ, and the list could go on and on.
These communities will go above and beyond for their games, and their members will do anything to support one another. This is the best example of why you need to have a community. The gaming community is the best example. There’s next to no financial strain when they support you.
There’s the Trust Factor
You have to keep in mind that people trust recommendations from their friends and family. If you’re not connected to a community, you miss out on the personal endorsements that can turn curious onlookers into loyal customers. When a small business doesn’t have the support of a local community, it can be hard to build this essential trust.
No matter how great your product or service is, if people don’t know you or have a reason to trust you, they’re less likely to take a chance on your business. Again, doesn’t only need to be the local community, if you’re an online business, there are still online communities and people from all over the planet that are willing to support you, but if you’re not in that community, and you’re also not a supporting member, then you can’t expect much, right?