5 Online Communities For Women Entrepreneurs

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I realized in early 2016 that even though I had supportive family and friends I also needed to talk to others who had similar interests and situations. In my case, it’s working full-time while also pursuing multiple passions on nights and weekends.

So while others are listening to music during their morning commute, I listen to my favorite business podcasts. At night as people are whipping up homemade dinners, I through a bag of Bertolli Shrimp, Asparagus & Penne on the skillet and immediately start editing podcast episodes and writing articles.

After starting the Let’s Talk About Fashion Truck Facebook group with Astral a couple of years ago, I really saw the power in having like minded people come together in a community setting.

This year I have vowed (that’s really strong!) to find and join communities throughout the year that will allow me to  network with others and discover tools and techniques of other like-minded people. Also, I want to find out how they manage their time and what motivates them to keep going.

What sparked the idea for this article was my interview with Bree from the Tall Society; she talked about building communities. Three of the communities on the list came from another podcast interviewee, Alexis, a graphic designer in San Diego. She really believes in the power of connection and community.

Please note that not all of them are women-owned and ran businesses, but they still have a reputation for helping women network and pursue their passions.

Creative Mornings

Website: creativemornings.com

I subscribe to their newsletter and I’m hoping to go to their next speaker series in DC whenever it is announced. If you want to see if they have something in your city, go to the website and look up your city in the top right hand corner. If you’re in DC and you end-up going to the next event let me know so we can connect.

A snippet from their website:

In 2008, Tina Roth Eisenberg (Swissmiss) started CreativeMornings out of a desire for an ongoing, accessible event for New York’s creative community. The concept was simple: breakfast and a short talk one Friday morning a month. Every event would be free of charge and open to anyone.

Today, attendees gather in cities around the world to enjoy fresh coffee, friendly people, and an international array of breakfast foods. Volunteer hosts and their team members organize local chapters that not only celebrate a city’s creative talent, but also promote an open space to connect with like-minded individuals.

The growing archive of past breakfast talks is humbling. From design legends to hometown heroes, speakers are selected by each chapter based on a global theme. CreativeMornings remains free thanks to the support of local sponsors, generous venues, and longterm partners.

Anyone can attend. Just register beforehand to reserve your spot. And if you need a little help convincing your boss to let you attend, we’ve got you covered.

Remember to set your alarm, and we’ll see you in the morning!

Fizzle

Website: fizzle.co

I’m not part of this community but I’ve heard great things about them. They also have a podcast called The Fizzle Show.

A snippet from their website:

Running your own business takes grit. Whether you already support yourself or if you’re just starting to plan building your own thing, you know it’s hard work.

Creating and running a business is also exciting. It’s your freedom, your livelihood, the work of your hands. It’s cool as sh*t.

Here at Fizzle we help indie entrepreneurs make weekly progress on their business because it’s tough to build your thing and we all need help.

Luke Skywalker had Yoda;
Cinderella had a fairy godmother;
Jesse Pinkman had Walter White;
and you’ve got us. 🙂

The Middle Finger Project

Website: themiddlefingerproject.org

I’ve seen this one around but I can’t speak to it, however, it looks really cool. I love how she’s styled the website. She uses images and type that are big, beautiful and bold. #loveit

Clearly you have to be ok with profanity, because there is a lot of it. Regardless, it’s all about community.

A snippet from their website (community page):

The Rising Tide

Website: risingtidesociety.com

I swear I’ve seen this group take off the past year. Everyone is talking about them and it seems like the place to be. I plan to check them out next quarter.

A snippet from their website:

What began as a conversation with dear friends over wine about the loneliness that entrepreneurship can bring has transformed into an international movement for creative entrepreneurs and small business owners built on a foundation of community over competition. The Rising Tide Society began simply as a dream, and quickly grew to a community of creatives from all backgrounds and industries uniting for one reason. A movement dedicated to the people it serves, Rising Tide Society focuses on building community locally and transforming not only the creative industry, but also the world.

In May of 2015, the Rising Tide Society hosted its first set of TuesdaysTogether gatherings in twelve cities across the nation. Coffee shops and wineries filled with small business owners seeking a new mindset in the creative landscape—one built on relationships. Creatives who typically spent day after day sitting at their desks with only the hum of the computer and their third cup of coffee to keep them company now had the opportunity to engage in community within their own towns. In less and a month, applications from creatives began flooding in. Seeing a need within their communities, everyone from photographers to boutique owners, bakers to artists began transforming the mindset within their cities from one of competition, to community.

The Yellow Collective

Website: yellowcollective.co

I joined this group January of 2017, you pay for it quarterly. You are added to their private Facebook, Instagram, and Slack chat groups. They have a Slack chat every week covering topics like risk-taking and role models. They also send out one empowerment box per quarter that has a book and other inspirational items. Check out the website for other incentives.

They have in person meet-ups in some cities and a virtual meet-up for people who don’t have a group in their city. DC has one, but I’m waiting for the host to set something up. I may also try the Baltimore group if they have anything. If an event happens before the quarter is up I’ll make sure to post pictures.

This video is from early 2016, but it gives you an idea of what they are trying to do.

A snippet from their website:

The Yellow Collective is a quarterly membership that offers value and empowerment to members through three different channels. The “Empowerment Box”, digital resources, and the community.

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