If you are self-employed, you know how difficult it can be to find the time to do everything on your own. From bookkeeping to ordering new products to producing marketing campaigns, your day is filled every minute. Finding the time to expand your business can be an almost impossible task on your own. Luckily, thanks to technology, there are some great ways to find like-minded entrepreneurs who may be interested in joint ventures and other opportunities.
Co-working office space is among the top ways to meet other entrepreneurs and create mutually beneficial joint ventures, particularly in cities in which a specific industry dominates, like San Francisco. Bay Area coworking space offices are notorious for creating environments that benefit entrepreneurs with small businesses and home businesses alike.
Virtual offices have become hugely popular over the last decade and more co-working offices are popping up worldwide. Employers are starting to realize that their employees are much happier when they can work in a more relaxed atmosphere. Workers meet their deadlines more often, they are less stressed when they get home and overall they are much happier. Virtual offices and co-working allows the entire workforce to get their work done no matter where they’re located. No more long commute to the office and no more cramped workspace.
If you are self-employed and looking to expand your business, either with a joint venture or by hiring contractors, freelancers or even employees, here are some of the top ways you can find opportunities:
Networking groups.
There are literally hundreds of networking groups across the nation that are ideal for meeting new people and creating collaborations with like-minded business owners. These groups usually meet weekly or monthly and can be any time of the day. You can choose from any number of specific types of groups – women only, freelancers, sales associates, etc. The best ones, however, are groups that encompass a wide range of industries and people from all walks of life. Be careful about joining too many, though. It can start to get expensive and you may end up meeting the same people over and over. As a general rule, though, it’s a good idea to join one or two.
Virtual offices and Co-working.
As we stated earlier, virtual offices and co-working are great ways to expand your horizons and meet new people. Entrepreneurs and freelancers who work from home can quickly feel isolated, so co-working offers a way to meet others and work in an environment that feels more like an office setting. It won’t take long to get to know others and chat about what each of you do. The conversation will naturally turn to ‘how can we help each other’ and the rest, as they say, will be history.
Local Chamber of Commerce.
Becoming a member of your local Chamber of Commerce allows you to get to know other business members in your area. Each chapter typically holds networking meetings giving you a chance to learn more about what each member has to offer.
Social media.
Of course, social media is a great way to expand your business by putting the word out. Find professional groups to join and get involved in discussions. Get to know others in the group and chat often.
Whether you’re in the middle of a startup, or you’ve been in business for a few years, if you’re ready to take the next step, follow the tips above to find your perfect collaboration partner.
