How to build a business community is a question I think about every time I bring women together. A recent morning at my local café reminded me that it starts with how people feel when they walk through the door.
Eugene’s is owned by Mitch and Ash. I’ve been going there since they opened five years ago.
Every time I walk in, I’m greeted with:
“Hello, Emma McQueen!”
One morning, I arrived early. There were no other customers yet, just Mitch, Ash and Abbey standing behind the coffee machine having their morning coffee.
I ordered mine, we had our usual chat, and then I joined them at the counter.
There we stood, like we were in a little café in Italy, drinking our coffees and talking about all the things.
And I thought, this is what community feels like.
Start by making people feel welcome
Over five years, one coffee at a time, I’ve met so many people at Eugene’s.
These days, if I want to get any work done there, Mitch has to hide me at a table down the back because I know too many people.
I love that.
Mitch, Ash and Abbey make it easy to stop and have a conversation. They know people’s names. They notice when someone walks in. They’ve created a place where people want to return.
That’s something you can do in your business too.
If you host events, welcome people as they arrive and introduce them to someone they might enjoy meeting. If you work with clients, remember what they told you last time and ask how it went. If someone new joins your community, help them find their feet.
Small interactions add up.
Give conversations room to grow
This is what I want women to experience at every Emma McQueen event.
I want you to walk into the room and feel welcome. I want you to meet women you may never have crossed paths with otherwise, share what’s happening in your business and hear a perspective that helps you think bigger.
That takes more than putting people in the same room. It takes attention.
Who’s standing on their own? Who has experience that could help someone else? Who mentioned a challenge you could follow up on next week?
Sometimes the most useful thing you can do is say, “You two need to know each other.”
One conversation can lead to an idea, an introduction, a collaboration or the beginning of a friendship. You won’t know which one it is until you make space for it.
Keep showing up for each other
A strong business community grows through repeated conversations. People get to know one another, remember what matters to each other and have more opportunities to help.
That’s why connection is such a big part of Thriving Women. I created it to bring together the coaching, connection and community I wished I’d had when I started my business. Over time, I’ve seen women support each other through decisions, share opportunities and build relationships that continue well beyond the programme.
The business results matter. So does having people who understand what it takes to run a business and who are willing to cheer you on when things go well or help you work through it when they don’t.
If you’re building a community of your own, ask yourself:
- Do people feel welcome when they arrive?
- Are you helping them get to know one another?
- Is there a reason for them to come back and continue the conversation?
You can start this week. Make one thoughtful introduction. Follow up with someone you met recently. Invite a person into a conversation where they’ll feel included.
That’s how I want the rooms I create to feel. It’s also why I keep going back to Eugene’s.
One coffee, one conversation and one room at a time.
Thriving Women 2027 is opening soon. If you’d like coaching, genuine connection and a community of women in your corner as you grow your business, join the waitlist.