Why you need a business bestie right now

Amid giving tennis a real crack, starting a quest for the best Steak Night steak in Melbourne and getting a wardrobe makeover, one of the big things I learned this year is how much we all need business besties. If you don’t have one or don’t know what one is, grab a cuppa and give me three minutes of your time.

What are business besties?

Business besties are friends you love to do normal friends things with (talk about sex, perimenopause, kids, the odds of ever doing a European cruise) who also spill into your business life in a major way. They’re not day-to-day collaborators or colleagues, but they’re great influences and mentors whom you check in with regularly to make sure you’re on the right track with what you’re doing in business.

You swap strategies, insights, and harsh truths. You’re each others’ accountability team. Trust me, this is as necessary to your business success and sanity as the world’s best marketing plan, product ideas, you name it. It makes business fun.

My besties and me

Of my team of four, three of us made it to Tassie—time management expert Kate, media communications specialist Sam and me. We don’t have the same businesses but our different experiences and expertise create so much value for each other’s businesses.

This trip was for our 2023 Business Planning. This year, instead of spending a day in Melbourne presenting our business plans for the year ahead, we headed to Tasmania to add in an adventure to the serious work. We all managed to snare a spot on the Three Capes Trail, and while ours was at the more luxury end of the epic walk—we could leave our stuff at our high-end lodge every day and come back to amazing Tassie dinners—it was no cakewalk. Yet boy, did we laugh. We had some ‘watch out I might pee’ moments and some good belly laughs. I love the relationships we have developed over time. I know now that they will have my back through anything.

I know I headed into it with a head full of thoughts about not just where I want to take my business next year but about recent decisions I’ve made about family, my health, boundaries and longer-term future. Having four days slogging up mountains and through rainforests in one of the most remote places in Australia gave great perspective. I was constantly looking around and realising the millions and millions of years the landscape had endured. It made me feel we spend a lot of time worrying about things when the real trick is to hold fast. To stay strong and optimistic.

The best-laid plans

The business stuff was saved until we got to Hobart. Then we were totally disciplined, kicking off at 8 am Saturday, ignoring the pull of the markets (and coffee). We all set our 2023 themes—we set a theme word for the year—and laid out where we think we can improve, our new ideas and what we’re sticking with. It’s always a privilege to have your vision scrutinised by three business experts who give honest, constructive and supportive feedback (sometimes hard to hear but so valuable) and this year felt special for reasons other than the interstate setting. We’re all at a certain point of wanting to maximise time and really use it to fuel passions rather than pure responsibilities.

I came home with the certainty that I’m on the right track and some really solid plans for 2023. And a renewed appreciation for my business besties and the clarity they give. Finding your business besties is something I can heartily recommend. I urge you to start gathering your own crew if you don’t have one. They really make a difference in how you feel about what you do. And the laughs are priceless.

Join the soloist movement. Whether you are new to Flying Solo or looking to grow your business, our membership options will help you attract more leads, grow your network and sharpen your business skills.  Sign up to our newsletter to get the latest news and advice straight to your inbox.

Now read this

//corestage-cdn.flyingsolo.com.au/marketing/digital-marketing/marketing-to-mums-the-clock-is-ticking-for-your-brand-on-tiktok/