Building a Women’s Business That Feeds Your Soul - Find Your Tribe

Every one of us has a purpose and a mission. Building a business requires you to walk your soulful path and manifest your vision.

With over 40 years of experience, Kaya Singer, business owner, entrepreneur, mentor and author of the book Wiser & Wilder, says that success comes to those who focus on being authentic, in the right circle of people, in a balanced and actualized way, with a strong voice. It also means being willing to face the unhealed parts of yourself that hold you back.

Her new book is for is designed to help people who not only know their purpose and mission, but are ready to walk a soulful path and that manifests their vision with the right people.

“Finding your tribe is perhaps one of the most important steps to focus on in business,” she says.

Your tribe is made up of all the people who love your business, products, services, and you. It's your fans, current and potential customers and clients, and your colleagues. They enjoy hearing what you're up to, and they spread the word to others about your business. it's just as true now as it has been down through the ages: women thrive in circles with other women (Think quilting bees, knitting circles, etc., and now through businesses.)

To grow your tribe, increase your fan base, and continue to build your business, you need to connect with others. This may seem obvious, but not everyone does this strategically.

Here are seven important key ways to grow your tribe: 

Search for Women’s Networking Groups and Business Clubs in your Local Area. You can do a Google search by typing in "women's networking groups" along with the name of your city or town, and see what comes up. Providing you get some results, scroll through them and see what and who might be appropriate for you to reach out to. Then plan to attend their next networking meeting, which is often free for first timers. When you attend, remember to be a good networker. This means be curious and learn about others and their businesses before you share all about yours. When you're a good listener, others want to learn about you.

Do online searches through the social media channels. For example, open up Facebook and inside the search bar at the top, type in the same words as in the example above. "Women's networking groups" and the name of your city or town. Notice what comes up here? Then, to get even more specific responses, look at the top of that page and click on the link that says "groups". The results should be good opportunities for you. If you don't get any responses, try changing the key words in your search until the information you want comes up.

Tap in and take advantage of your own networks. Who can you ask for suggestions or referrals? Make a list of people you think could be helpful, and then ask them if there are there any groups they know of that you should be a part of? Or do they know any individuals that they think you should get to know. Not only are you tapping into the wisdom of your own networks, but you are also allowing others to help you, and they will feel good about that. Ask them if they'd be willing to introduce you so that it is a "warm" connection. Be sure and return the favor when you find someone or an event that they would likely benefit from. This is called building social capital and it's networking at its best.

Set up coffee or tea dates with women you meet and feel a connection toward. When you're together, look for ways you can collaborate with one another through your businesses. You may come up with some great ideas, and if not, you've at least made a new friend. Magic happens when you show up, but first you have to ask. Make a list: Who would you like to get to know better? And then reach out and ask.

Start your own Meet Up group and invite people to come. Think about the kind of group you would like to be a part of, and the kind of women you want to attract. What are your interests? What are you values? Make a list and imagine the kinds of people you like to know. Go to meetups in your local area. Experiment with the best key words to use, and when others search using those words, your event will come up. Don't stop there though. Invite people on your email list, or in your address book, and be sure and post it on your favorite social media channels too. Creating a group is one of the best ways to be seen as a leader and an expert in your field.

Go to a local tea shop or cafe with your lap top and work from there. You may not know anyone personally, but just being out with other people can make it feel like you're a part of a larger community. Eventually you will see the same faces and you'll start to get to know others. Be open to others; You never know who you're meeting until you talk to them and get to know them. You just may find your next partner or best friend. 

Build a community on social media. Your tribe members are not limited by geography. Through the Internet, your tribe can be anywhere in the world! It's important to do a little research and find out the platform that your clients and tribe are more likely to be on. Simply ask them through an email, or as you're meeting people, find out which platform they are on the most. Track the top places where your tribe likes to hang out. Then, you'll need to make some decision. You will likely not have the time or energy to focus on every platform your tribe mentions. It's better to pick one or two social media channels, and do a deeper dive with them. You can have a presence on more, but really get to know and understand just one or two of the channels, preferably the top two where most of your tribe hangs out.

Join groups on social media. This is so you can meet more people and they can also get to know you. A good place to begin is Facebook groups because so many people are using the platform. In the Facebook search bar at the top, type in the topic or focus that interests you. Join a group and get involved by making comments, posting and liking other people's comments. Notice who stands out to you and why and then reach out to them. You can comment on their posts, or send an invitation to connect outside the group. This is another good way to get to know others. You can also start your own FB group and invite others to join you. It is easy to do. Simply go to what looks like an upside down triangle at the top, right side of your screen, and click on "help". Type in, "How do I start my own Facebook group?" and you will get a step-by-step guide. Once you set up your group you can invite all your FB friends or select certain individuals. Beyond being seen as a leader and expert in your topic area, a side-benefit of Facebook groups is that it's very easy to build real relationships without reading tons of posts you don’t enjoy.

Start Your own small Mastermind Group.  A Mastermind Group is a fabulous way to offer and receive support from others. Many women want this, but they wait for a group to drop in their lap rather than initiating one themselves. Don't fall into that trap. If there isn't a group for you to join, create the kind of group you want. Be selective and choose 3-4 people who are at a similar level as you are and are also looking for support. These might be colleagues you have met a local groups or even met online. A group can be local or you can meet on phone or Skype. Begin by writing out an intention with your own culture and values and then you will attract women who want something similar.

Look for ways you can promote others. This key is huge and may be the most important one of all. Building good relationships means being there for other people and sharing help and resources when you can. Refer people to an awesome massage therapist or tell people about a web designer who is good.  Promoting is giving in the highest way for entrepreneurs as it helps them to build their tribe.  Gifting to others builds positive energy and expands your community too, so It is a win-win.

Connecting with supportive people not only helps build your business, but it builds real community, plus it helps you to grow personally as an individual; this is particularly helpful if you tend to be more introverted. 

Kaya Singer’s book, Wiser & Wilder, goes beyond the usual how-to business advice and instead places its focus on HOW TO BE. It contains over 150 pages of heart-centered personal stories, purposeful activities, and inspiring wisdom to encourage women entrepreneurs to invest in themselves so they can become who they are meant to be in this world. Included are  illustrative  drawings that are creative and engaging. The book encourages readers to access guidance from their soul level in order to come out of hiding and overcome obstacles that are holding them back. With over 40 years of experience, Kaya has seen again and again how creating clarity and confidence around life purpose empowers women to manifest the prosperity they need to carry their visions far and wide.

Wiser and Wilder

Kaya Singer

List $19.99

188 pages, trade paperback, also available in Kindle

ISBN-10: 0982641222  ISBN-13: 978-0982641224

Published by Awakening Business Press (May 1, 2016)

For more information, visit www.awakeningbusiness.com

About Kaya Singer

Kaya Singer is a Wise Woman entrepreneur, mentor, artist, and writer. Having never fit into a traditional business box, Kaya’s been self-employed for over 40 years, beginning with her first business selling pottery on orange crates.

Her wisdom touches thousands of women through mentoring, women’s gatherings and personal growth retreats, in both the United States and New Zealand, where she lived for 12 years. She has a BFA in Fine Arts from Ohio State University and an MS in counseling from the University of Oregon. Kaya’s mission is to support visionary women to wake up, stop hiding and invest in themselves so they can reach their true potential and make a bigger difference in the world. She knows that it’s time for women to show up!

Now growing into her Crone wisdom years, she’s come full circle and is has integrated her art and coaching business into one. When not working with clients, she paints in the studio she shares with her husband Wayne, plays with clay, dances to 60s music or spends time out in the forest or at the ocean in Oregon. She loves pure nature and this is where her Wild Woman thrives and reconnects to Mother Earth. 

She lives in Portland, Oregon.

What People Are Saying

“If I had only had this book when I left corporate America in pursuit of creating a fulfilling business, my path would have been so much easier and faster towards the success I enjoy today. Wiser and Wilder guides you from inspiration through effective business know-how to nurture your highest vision into reality—in a way that feeds your woman’s soul!”

-- Sonia Miller, Author of The Attraction Distraction: Why the Law of Attraction Isn’t Working for You and How to Get Results

“It was beyond refreshing to read and experience the charm, simplicity, and powerful wisdom offered in Kaya Singer’s soulful book Wiser and Wilder. The twenty-first century has arrived just in time to help us reframe the way we do business, protect earth resource, and honor age. Kaya’s visionary expertise is more than timely, highlighting a joyful approach toward personal abundance and illustrated with her whimsical art. The book urges the reader to shift their consciousness toward a new paradigm; one that combines joy, business, and health as a triad for success.”

-- Isha Lerner, Author of Inner Child Cards: A Fairy Tale Tarot and The Triple Goddess Tarot

“Kaya’s journey along with information not far from being Shamanic enriched is very empowering. Wiser and Wilder takes us back to our roots as women, back to who we truly are before we felt disempowered. A great book to grow from.”

-- Mia Saenz, Editor-in-Chief, BellaMia Magazine

“Wiser and Wilder is a book that will tap you on the shoulder, inviting you to go deep into your heart and soul. Being a woman in business is a very different experience from what many of us expect. Kaya Singer shares a vision of doing business, and life, in a round, whole, integrated, and uniquely feminine way. The information on the three stages of life and business should be required reading for every woman who wants to make a difference and a living.”

-- Lynne Klippel, Best-selling Author of Overcomers, Inc.

“Kaya Singer’s soul opens on every page of Wise and Wilder. Though I’ve been on my spiritual and emotional growth journey many years, I recognized places within me where I’m still, growing and need to release past hurts that’s impacted my creativity and my business. I see myself as fairly confident and her empowerment rituals are helping me embrace my greatness and believe in my brilliance on an even higher level. A must-read for creative women entrepreneurs.”

-- Denise Michaels, Founder, International Book Writing Guild

“Kaya Singer’s Wiser & Wilder: A Soulful Path for Visionary Women Entrepreneurs is a godsend. At last, a wise elderwoman, coach and therapist, tells us we are not crazy because we can’t fit ourselves into the male-dominated world of business. Singer’s astute counsel encourages women to reinvent entrepreneurship in their own image. She suggests trusting intuition and following bliss as well as doing the hard work of marketing. She advises, ‘put your health, wellness, spirit and family first…. Just because you put your kids first doesn’t mean you aren’t powerfully committed to your business success. It just means that the way you operate will look different.’ In addition to thoughtful coaching, Wiser & Wilder offers exercises to help readers address their own unique challenges and gifts. Above all, Singer emphasizes the importance of deep psychological and emotional work in creating a path to success, an approach that taps the courage in the heart of every wise, wild woman.