My Journey to Creating a Supportive Community for Freelancers & Small Business Owners - #1: The Vision

#webdev #freelance #business #community

How can I bring even more value to my clients? This question sparked an exciting idea: creating an online community for freelancers and small business owners. In this post, I share the vision, the brainstorming chaos, and the very first steps of turning this big project into reality.

Want to follow the journey and help shape this idea? I'd love to hear your thoughts—join my newsletter to stay updated!

How can I support my clients even better? That’s the question I’ve been asking myself lately. Building great websites is one thing—I absolutely love helping my clients bring their visions to life online. But I started wondering: What else could I do to make a bigger, lasting impact on their businesses and lives?

That’s when I thought about networking. Over the past year, building my own network has been a game-changer (you can read all about that in my last post on how I grew my freelance business by 15x in 2024). It’s helped me grow, connect, and thrive—not just in business, but personally, too. And I realized: What if I could help my clients experience the same thing?

That’s how the idea of an online community was born. It could be a space to:

Build networks of like-minded people.
Access helpful resources and tools.
Share challenges, ideas, and wins with others who "get it."

It’s a massive project—exciting, but also a little overwhelming! There are so many steps to take, and it’ll definitely take time. But I’m thrilled to get started, and I want to share the entire journey with you—the challenges, the visions, the wins, and even the hurdles along the way.

How It Started

To get this off the ground, I started where I often do: with random brainstorming sessions. Whether I was walking, waiting in line at the supermarket, or driving, I kept talking my ideas out loud, recording them with Voicepal (not sponsored to say this, but seriously, a lifesaver for capturing all those scattered thoughts).

These brainstorming sessions helped me come up with hundreds of ideas—how the community could be set up, what it could offer, what steps are needed, and so much more. It was chaotic, but exciting. And with all these thoughts flying around, I needed a way to organize everything.

That’s where my Miro board came in (screenshot placeholder below!). It’s now the hub for all my ideas—a place to map out the vision, jot down steps, and keep everything in one place to revisit as the project unfolds.

The First Steps

With so many ideas, I knew I needed to narrow things down. My first step? Defining the value. What would this community actually offer? What would make it meaningful for my clients? See below for more info on that!

Next, I came up with a (placeholder!) name: Balanced Business Community. It’s not final, but it’s enough to start getting feedback. I also decided to reach out to my past clients to validate the idea. Their input will help shape what this community becomes and ensure it truly serves their needs.

Join the Journey

This is just the beginning of a long and exciting project, and I’d love for you to follow along. If you’re curious about how this unfolds—or just want to see how a big idea takes shape—join my newsletter. You’ll get behind-the-scenes updates, insights, and maybe even some helpful ideas for your own business journey.

And you can help me shape what this turns into with your feedback and ideas, if you like! 🚀

Here are my first structured notes on what I potentially could offer and for whom

Target Audience

Small Business Owners: Entrepreneurs running small businesses or side hustles.
Freelancers: Independent workers looking for networking, support, and resources.
Early-Stage Startups: Individuals or teams navigating the challenges of starting and growing a business.

Key Benefits for Members

Grow Your Business: Access actionable insights, shared expertise, and tailored strategies for business growth.
Save Time & Energy: Utilize curated resources, tools, and practical guidance to simplify challenges.
Build a Supportive Network: Connect with like-minded individuals, fellow learners, and potential collaborators to create meaningful business relationships.
Enjoy the Journey: Gain tools and inspiration to make the entrepreneurial journey more fulfilling, enjoyable, and sustainable.

What the Community Offers

1. Resources

Productivity & Time Management: Tips, tools, and strategies for staying organized and effective.
Optimizing Your Website: Guidance on using your website as a growth engine.
Goal Setting & Achievement: Resources for defining, tracking, and reaching business goals.
Marketing & Business Strategies: Actionable content for attracting clients and growing your brand.
Work-Life Balance: Resources to enjoy work and life while staying productive.

2. A Thriving Community

Group Chats: Dedicated channels organized by areas of interest or expertise.
Networking Opportunities: Build relationships with helpful contacts and business friends.
Supportive Collaboration: A space to ask for help, share advice, and learn from others.

3. Regular & Tailored Resources

Self-Reflection Tools: Questionnaires to identify challenges and match resources to pain points.
Inspiration & Motivation: Success stories to spark ideas and celebrate progress.

4. Expert-Led Content

Expert Talks & Q&A Sessions: Learn from specialists in marketing, productivity, and other relevant fields.
Knowledge Sharing Channels: Dedicated spaces to share expertise or find advice in specific topics.

5. Self-Development & Planning

Daily Practices:
- Morning and evening meditations.
- 2-minute journaling prompts for starting the day.
- Evening reflections for wrapping up the day.
Weekly Practices:
- Weekly reflections and planning sessions.

6. Community Interaction

Regular Meetings: Discuss dedicated topics in a casual chat or call format.
Co-Working Sessions: Join others for deep work time and accountability.
Accountability Partners: Match with individuals to stay focused and achieve your commitments.