Running a fitness or wellbeing business can be exhilarating, but let’s not forget, it can be incredibly isolating and lonely too. Juggling clients, finances, marketing, and everything in between can be hard on your own. There may be days when you feel on top of the world, and others when you’re stuck, overwhelmed, or just plain lost. Regardless of how supportive your family and friends are (if you’re lucky), no-one really gets it unless they’ve been there.
This is why you need a sounding board.
- Someone to hear you.
- Someone to understand you.
- Someone to help you untangle your thoughts and plan your next steps.
A sounding board, whether it’s a mentor, business group, or even a trusted business friend, can provide you with the feedback, validation, and support you need to keep going. So many business owners avoid it thinking they should have all the answers themselves but the truth is no one can succeed alone.
So why are you avoiding it?
Is it pride?
Are you afraid of being vulnerable?
Worried about being judged?
I’m here to remind you that vulnerability is not a weakness, it’s a strength, admitting you need support is actually a sign of leadership, not failure.
Humans are social creatures. At our core, we all have a need for connection – we all need to feel we belong. As business owners you can feel disconnected from others, afterall the stakes are high. You’re not just managing clients, accounts, sales and marketing, you’re responsible for your own income.
In this life, it’s easy to get stuck in your head. You might have a great idea or feel uncertain about a decision, but without someone you trust to talk to, you’re left second guessing yourself and procrastinating.
A good sounding board will help you with:
1. Accountability
Sharing your goals and ideas with a trusted group or individual can provide the accountability you need to follow through. It’s easy to let ideas slip when no one else knows about them, but when you share them, you’re more likely to take action.
2. Clarity
Often, when you’re deep in the day-to-day of your business, it’s hard to see things clearly. A sounding board can offer an outside perspective, helping you identify blind spots or opportunities you may have missed.
3. Connection
You just don’t have to do this alone anymore. There is a better way. Successful business owners build strong networks of support, advice, and feedback.
4. Being heard
Hearing yourself say your own ideas and problems aloud and allowing yourself to process them fully while being heard by someone who genuinely cares about you and your success is huge. This opportunity for validation and acknowledgement is one way to cut through blame, shame and judgement which can so often hold us back in out businesses.
5. Course correction
One of the biggest challenges in business is knowing when something isn’t working. A good sounding board can help you see when you’re veering off course and offer suggestions for getting back on track. They can provide insights that you may not have considered, helping you avoid costly mistakes.
6. Creativity
Collaboration fosters creativity. Talking through your ideas with others can spark new ideas and solutions. The act of verbalising your thoughts often leads to clarity, and the feedback you receive can help you think about your business in new and innovative ways.
Knowing you want a sounding board is the first step.
The second step is finding the right match for you.
Not all feedback is created equal. It’s important to find a sounding board that aligns with your values, understands your business, and has your best interests at heart.
This could be a mentor who has experience in your industry, a peer group of other fitness or wellbeing business owners, or even a trusted friend who can offer an objective perspective.
- Choose someone you trust – make sure the person or group you choose as your sounding board is someone you can trust to provide honest, constructive feedback—not just tell you what you want to hear.
- Find people who understand your business – while it’s great to have support from friends and family, it’s even better to have a sounding board that understands the unique challenges of running a fitness or wellbeing business.
- Commit to regular check-ins – building a relationship with your sounding board takes time and commitment. Make sure you schedule regular check-ins to keep the lines of communication open.
If you’re looking for someone who is a safe place, who understands this industry inside out and is trained in business and mindset coaching, feel free to get in touch – I am already a sounding board for business owners just like you.
Until next time,
Best wishes
Philippa x