Having a Network of Other Entrepreneurs is Priceless

Every entrepreneur, especially solo ones like myself, want to tackle every issue themselves. We don't want to ask for help because we know that we can do it. This mentality is one of the things that helps us succeed, but can also lead to us being in over our heads. One of the best ways that I have found to combat this is to have a network of entrepreneurs to regularly communicate with.

I am lucky because many of my good friends also have it, that thing that entrepreneurs have that is so tuff to define. I have four good friends that I grew up with that I talk to on a regular basis. My good friend Adam sells his sports collectibles on SportsLizard.com, my friend Darrell is in the process of starting his first company, and my friend Mike (who I grew up across the street from) is working with me to start a nonprofit organization. Over the past few days, I have also been in touch with an old friend George who runs Detailed Image, a car detailing company that also sells high end goods online.

George and I haven't talked much in the past few years but as soon as he found out that we both had started businesses, he picked up the phone and gave me a call. We spoke for hours about our companies. We bounced marketing ideas off of each other, discussed web design, and talked about how running a company effects our personal lives. He told me about a few ways that he uses to drive traffic to his site that I hadn't thought of. From our conversations, I picked up two or three things that I believe will significantly help SportsLizard.com in 2006. Hopefully he picked up a few things from me that will help grow his business as well.

Regardless of your industry, you will fail unless you have good people around you. If you run a business like I do, or if you are starting a business, or even thinking about starting one, make sure that you surround yourself with other entrepreneurs. You will find that those relationships that you develop are invaluable.