The beauty of Business Friendships

It can be lonely being in business but making connections can be a game changer for you and your business, says Katie Godfrey.

Right now everyone is craving connection. After the last few years of the C word, being careful and slowly built back up, people are ready more than ever to get out again.

Our businesses are starting to get back to the normal highs and clients are loving the experience of being back in the salon. I don’t know about you, but a lot of our clients after Covid narrowed their treatments down. If they used to have two or three treatments, they came back to just having one treatment. But this is changing drastically, and clients are having several treatments again, which means business is on the up!

However it’s not just clients wanting connection again, it’s us business owners. We are starting to see the exhibitions getting busier again, networking opportunities, events taking place and retreats being planned. In January I hosted my first ever business retreat in Marrakesh. This was a retreat for those that are part of my 12-month mastermind. We had the most incredible three days learning, being inspired and having a load of fun. But what did everyone love the most? The connection and the chat between each other with someone that “just gets it” and making those friendships.

It’s lonely being in business, sometimes I think even more so in the beauty, hair and aesthetic space. Friends, family and teams don’t understand our day-to-day; the stresses of running a business, trying to get clients through the door and the worry about ever growing overheads.

So can you imagine being surrounded with people just like you. Also, the buzz and motivation everyone had when they got home to grow their business and put everything they learnt into action. It was powerful.

If currently you are not spending time with other professionals or do not have a network to bounce off, I highly recommend you do something to change this. It’s a game changer for you personally and to keep you strong in business.

Where can you get that in-person connection?

1. Join a membership

There are many memberships out there you can join. This helps you be part of a whole community that can support you daily, plus learn. I started my membership during Covid and its still going strong today. Some businesses joined the first day we launched and are still members today. People have had support when they feel like they are alone and it’s a safe space to offload.

2. Go to networking events

There are local breakfast meet ups everywhere, where you can connect with other businesses in the area. These are good to gain clients into your business through referrals and build up your local network.

3. Go to industry exhibitions

It’s an opportunity to keep up to date with industry trends but also you can network with brands and meet up with those you have built relationships with online.

4. Book onto an event!

You really get that in-person connection and buzz when you go to an industry event. Last year I spoke at many events and each one I attended was fabulous. A day of learning to go away and implement into your business, having chats and building relationships with likeminded people, and we can’t forget the content you can get for your socials too. I’m hosting a live event on 28th April called Marketing Made Easy sponsored by Phorest Software. I would love to see you there!

Doing things like the above can feel scary and out of your comfort zone, but giving yourself a little push to do just one thing will make a big difference to the connection you feel as well as pushing your business. Give it ago