For Entrepreneurs: How To Avoid Lone-Wolf Syndrome

We’ve all heard that “it’s lonely at the top” and many entrepreneurs have felt isolated from time to time. But studies now reveal that loneliness can be as detrimental to your health as foregoing physical activity … so maybe it’s time to find some friends.

Whether it’s someone to pick up the slack, give guidance, or provide moral support, having trusted allies can radically boost your odds of business success and combat feelings of solitude. Since starting 1-800-GOT-JUNK? at 19, I’ve actively sought support from partners, mentors, peer groups and more - and it’s made all the difference. There are plenty of resources to ensure entrepreneurs don’t have to go it alone.

Pick A Partner

Some of the most successful companies in the world today are the products of not one brain, but two or more. Google , Apple , and Twitter are just a few that prove two heads really are better than one: when you collaborate, you pool skills and insight to cover more ground, faster.

I’ve gone through several partners over the years. These matchups haven’t always been perfect, but they eventually led me to Erik Church. As company president, he’s my sounding board and the detail-oriented person who executes big ideas. We’ve developed a two-in-the-box style of leadership that lets both of us shine, and makes the company better. (And the numbers prove it: O2E Brands has more than doubled in revenue since Erik came on board.)

Draft A Dream Team Of Mentors

The thing about entrepreneurship is that everyone gets help along the way. As a result, almost everyone is willing to pay that generosity forward. Richard Branson credits the mentorship of British airline entrepreneur Sir Freddie Laker for the success of Virgin Airlines. Etsy founder Rob Kalin reached out for help from Flickr’s Catarina Fake and Stewart Butterfield. Even if you strike out on your own, there’s a community of people who have your back - you just have to ask.

While I never got an MBA, I’ve benefitted from what I call my Mentor Board of Advisors (an MBA of sorts). It’s a group of business leaders I can turn to for advice and feedback. And it’s easier than you might think to create a mentorship dream team: I just knocked on a few doors, picked up the phone, and made the ask.

You might think that asking for help is hard, but it can pay off big time: having a mentor can increase revenue by 83%.

Consider EntryPreneurship

Being your own boss can seem like an impossible dream, and the grim reality is that only 66% of small businesses survive their first two years. One way to radically boost those odds is by joining a franchise (obviously, an idea that’s close to my heart). It gives you the support of a big organization coupled with freedom over your day-to-day. Our model is called EntryPreneurship, and it’s enabled hundreds of our partners to launch successful businesses.

And that support doesn’t just come from the top: When you start a franchise, you’ve got an instant network of peers who have “been there”. That kind of helpful experience isn’t something to scoff at; up to 95% of all franchises continue to thrive after the first two years.

Create A Social Network

With so many opportunities to find fellow entrepreneurs online these days, you don’t have to feel alone. It’s as simple as connecting with like-minded people on LinkedIn or Facebook. Or you can attend local meetups and conferences geared towards business owners. Starting small? Try getting a desk at a co-working space - it can have a huge impact.

Personally, joining the Entrepreneurs’ Organization was one of the best business decisions I ever made. Not only are there opportunities for networking at EO events, it’s a space for emotional support - where you can confidentially share the ups and downs of running a business with people in the same boat.

Thanks to shows like Shark Tank, we tend to think entrepreneurs are lone wolves, sharks, or dragons - solitary hunters devouring the competition, getting by on their own grit. The truth is that every successful entrepreneur I know has sought out and received plenty of help along the way -- and there’s zero shame in that game.

Fighting the good fight as a solo entrepreneur might seem noble, but it’s bad for you and bad for business. My number one rule for success: Don’t go it alone.