Please note: This post was originally written about InclUSion, a business community I ran until 2024. InclUSion has since closed. The advice is still relevant and if you are looking for a community right now, I co-run the Creative Business Club, which you can find out about below.
In the crazy world of business, finding the right community which aligns with your values and goals can be a minefield in itself, never mind finding one that also offers holistic support without the feeling of it being too ‘woo’.
As a business owner myself, I’ve tried lots of online communities – some free and some paid but I’ve always found that they never quite tick my boxes.
Please understand, I’m not saying there was anything wrong with them but they all had a clear niche/focus in terms of the topic they covered and there’s definitely a need for communities which have a clear niche. For example, digital marketing, email marketing, or a specific social media platform. Or there are those which are for women only or just for mums. Again, I have no issue with those and I am still part of some amazing communities that offer valuable insights and I learn from them but it still feels like something is missing. A space which encompasses various aspects of business, whilst also taking into consideration the realities of life.
A Quest for a Holistic Community
Through my quest to find a particular type of community and realising I kept hitting a brick wall, I decided to create my own, and I called it InclUSion. A peer-to-peer business community that pushes the boundaries of most traditional communities. This isn’t just a space to talk business strategy and tactics, it’s a home for genuine connection, where InclUSioners (members) can share anything without fear of judgment.
The focus of this blog is to explain the benefits of a supportive business community from a generic perspective, but I will also highlight how I achieved this within InclUSion.
The Dynamic World of Business
In the dynamic world of business, we all know it’s an interesting journey of highs and lows. No matter your role, a strong business community offers invaluable support. In this blog, I want to highlight the benefits of creating a strong network and how it can help you to thrive.
It is about community over competition and how it makes you feel.
Louisa van Vessem
1. Collaborative Opportunities
Building a supportive community can open doors in a way you might not have envisaged. By connecting with like-minded individuals, you can discover new opportunities for partnerships and collaborations. Whether those are new business opportunities, working together because of the relationships developed or a chance to support each other through PR methods.
‘What to look for in a community’ practical tips: A good community makes collaboration feel natural rather than transactional. Look for one where members are genuinely curious about each other’s work, where opportunities to collaborate, refer and support each other emerge from real connection rather than an expectation of reciprocity.
2. Knowledge Sharing
Within a business community, knowledge often flows freely without asking for anything in return. Members are often keen to support and help one another and engaging with peers allows you to tap into a world of expertise, gaining insights and different perspectives and that helps you to grow personally and professionally.
‘What to look for in a community’ practical tips: The best communities are because the people share what they know freely. They want each other to succeed, not because they’re positioning themselves as an expert. That kind of honest, peer-to-peer knowledge sharing is worth far more than a library of pre-recorded content.
3. Emotional Support
Let’s be honest, running a business, freelancing or working from home can be isolating at times. A supportive community provides a space for sharing experiences, challenges and wins (no matter how small they may seem), offering the emotional support you need.
‘What to look for in a community’ practical tips: Running a business solo means your wins and wobbles often go without anyone knowing what’s really happening. A community that creates genuine psychological safety where you can say ‘I’m struggling with this’ without fear of judgement is genuinely rare. When you find one, you’ll notice the difference immediately.
4. Networking Events
Whether online or in person, there are lots of ways of networking from attending specific networking events to workshops, webinars, and get-togethers with other professionals. Developing and building relationships can lead to new clients, customers and collaborations.
‘What to look for in a community’ practical tips: Not all networking is equal. The most valuable connections tend to come from spaces where there’s no pressure to perform… no sixty-second pitches, no hidden agendas. Whether online or in person, look for events that feel like a conversation rather than a transaction. The Creative Business Club runs a monthly Creative Huddle alternating between online and in-person built exactly on that principle.
5. Access Resources
Some communities offer resources such as training, pre-recorded videos, courses and documents, whilst others focus on creating an online community with no live sessions or training but have an online chat forum.
‘What to look for in a community’ practical tips: Resources matter less than you might think. What matters more is whether the community creates the conditions for you to use what you already know and think more clearly. A simple creative activity, an honest conversation, a fresh perspective from someone outside your usual circles. These are often more valuable than a library of templates.
6. Diverse Perspectives
Interacting with individuals outside of your immediate friendship groups and family offers diverse and interesting perspectives. This can spark creativity and innovative ideas whilst offering alternative approaches to problem-solving.
‘What to look for in a community’ practical tips: The most useful perspectives often come from people who work in completely different fields to you. A photographer, a copywriter and a florist in the same room will approach your challenge in three entirely different ways and all three might be useful. Communities that bring together a range of disciplines tend to spark ideas that a niche-specific group never would.
7. Accountability Partnerships
Setting and achieving goals and intentions become more achievable when you are held accountable. Having a place to share them, track progress and celebrate success can make a massive difference. Taking part in co-working sessions can also assist in making progress with your goals.
‘What to look for in a community’ practical tips: Accountability works best when it’s built on genuine mutual interest, when someone is rooting for you because they actually care, not because it’s a feature of their membership package. Look for communities where people naturally follow up on each other’s goals, celebrate the small wins and ask the hard questions when you’re feeling stuck and frustrated.
8. Develop New Skills
Continuous learning makes a huge difference to your personal and professional development, enabling you to grow and thrive. Getting involved in conversations and gaining new insights is part of this and through supportive business communities, they can facilitate skill-sharing sessions, workshops and mentoring.
‘What to look for in a community’ practical tips: Skill development in a community context is often less formal than a course and more memorable for it. Peer learning, conversation and trying things in the right environment can teach you things that no tutorial can. The simple creative activities we build into the Creative Business Club exist precisely for this reason: to help spark ideas and leave you feeling excited about potential opportunities.
9. Market Insights
Stay informed about what’s going on by taking note of the conversations that go on within communities on specific topics and don’t be afraid to ask questions, especially if you are unsure of anything.
‘What to look for in a community’ practical tips: Your peers are often your best source of real market intelligence because they’re navigating the same landscape you are, without the consultant’s agenda or the algorithm’s distortion. Regular honest conversation with other business owners gives you a ground-level read on what’s actually happening in your market.
10. Increased Resilience
When you feel as though you’re on a rollercoaster because there are lots of highs and lows, being part of a business community acts as a support network. Through shared experiences and problem-solving, you can build resilience and navigate those challenging times together.
‘What to look for in a community’ practical tips: The cumulative effect of all of this is the connection, the accountability, the fresh perspectives to stop you feeling like you’re doing it alone and that changes everything. Not just for your business, but for how you show up in it.
Looking for a Community Right Now?
I co-run the Creative Business Club. A monthly event for creative thinkers and doers who want connection and support without the corporate vibe. It’s part mini-mastermind, part creative session, part honest conversation. No pitching, no jargon, no rigidity.
Those who attend include photographers, copywriters, designers, makers, coaches, and other creative business owners. Some are just starting out, others have been doing it for years.
Once a month, there is a Creative Huddle. One month it takes place online, on Zoom, the next month it takes place in person in Preston. Each session weaves in a simple creative activity because we know that sometimes the best ideas happen when your hands are doing something and your brain relaxes.
People often tell us it felt different from anything else they’d tried and that’s exactly why we are doing it.
“Creative Business Club is a place where you can feel welcome, accepted. You can learn through the sessions or talk through issues or challenges with other like-minded people and don’t feel like you’ll be judged, just supported.”Christina, Fish2Photo
“I love the Creative Business Club! Such a great bunch to talk with and bounce new ideas off without the fear of any judgement. A completely open and honest room that’s a pleasure to be part of.”Mik Connor, Photographer
Disadvantages to Consider
- Time commitment: Consider how many communities you are part of, why you’re part of them, what you gain from them and how much time you give to them.
- Overreliance: Sometimes they can feel too much like a safety net and you can become too reliant on them for decision-making, especially if you’re not overly confident.
- Conflicting advice: Whilst having a diverse range of thoughts, ideas and opinions can be great, make sure it’s constructive and don’t be swayed if you’re unsure and your gut is telling you it’s not right. Consider the information carefully.
- Potential for distractions: Watch your time. It’s easy to keep looking for notifications and/or getting involved with online events hosted by different communities but ask yourself what the ROI (return on investment) is.
- Privacy concerns: Like with anything, whether it’s in-person or online, be aware of the information you share and what you say. Could it be shared outside of the community? Could it lead to any negative repercussions?
Building and nurturing a supportive business community is a powerful strategy for personal and professional growth but remember that the strength of a community relies upon its members actively contributing and supporting one another.
Choosing the Right Community
All communities are different and they all have their pros and cons. My honest advice: take some time to think about what you want to gain from being part of a community and why.
If you’re looking for a supportive business community, think about what that means to you because it’s going to be different for everyone. It’s a little like the word success. It means something different to everyone.
Thinking specifically about my community, InclUSion, you can learn more about it here or book a call with me and let’s have a chat. I’m sure you’re intrigued to know how much it costs… it is £19.99 per month and you can sign up for a minimum of one month. Now for one more link for you to check out and it’s the event listing. Sessions happen on different days at different times to help with changing schedules and time zones.
I hope to see you in InclUSion soon.
Looking for a community right now?
I co-run the Creative Business Club. A community for creative business owners who want genuine connection, honest conversation and practical support. It doesn’t matter if you are a creative thinker or a creative doer – we have got you covered. What makes us different is that we host online and in-person events that are relaxed but purposeful. We want you to gain something from the time you spend with us. Whether that be headspace, inspiration or new ideas. Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram to stay up to date with all the news.
About Louisa van Vessem
I’m Louisa van Vessem — business mentor, consultant and facilitator for creatives and leaders who are stuck in their own heads.
I bring 15+ years of experience across HR, recruitment, strategy, analysis and executive support. I’ve been self-employed since 2017, I’m neurodivergent, and I’m solo parenting an autistic son. My lived experience shapes how I work just as much as my professional background. If something in this post has made you think differently about your business, the best next step is a focused conversation. Let’s grab a virtual cuppa and chat about the exciting possibilities ahead. Can’t wait to connect!
Let’s connect on social media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ingeniouscornerco/
