Me, alone, in my office.

My first few years of business were rough. I was desperate for camaraderie and frustrated constantly. My parents didn’t ask questions about what I did. My husband’s friends all thought I was a stay-at-home spouse with just a “cute little business” (a hobby really in their eyes). And I was quickly losing touch with all the friends I’d met in college and prior jobs.

It felt like me alone, in my office, with no one in my corner telling me I could make a real living while doing things my own way. I got this cute little WeWork office just to make some friends.

Finding my people.

Luckily, I met some friends and turned it around. First, I formed a small business networking group with some local folks who also hated the formality of BNI. We met every month for two years. It was called Denizen.

We even started a little side business together and wrote a book called the Startup Business Guide. It didn’t last long, but we learned a lot. Shoutout Michelle and Lauren.

Finding my pod.

In 2019, I took Amy Porterfield’s program, Digital Course Academy. In 2020, I joined her alumni membership, Momentum, and created a peer accountability pod. Shoutout to the Real Housewives of Momentum. We met bi-weekly for two years.

And now I’m in another similar group that meets monthly.

The $10K leap of faith.

During that time, I took a real leap of faith and joined a $10,000 mastermind when my bank account showed I had no business doing so. Each month I was scrambling to find the money to make my payments. But it ended up being the best investment I ever made.

We’ve been meeting monthly ever since — six years now. Same 5 business besties. Like clockwork: the 2nd Wednesday of each month at noon. And we chat almost every day in our group text. They’re basically my virtual co-workers.

Why Besties HQ.

Almost every pivotal decision in my business has been made with my peers. They helped me create Unf*ck Your Biz® and the Contract Club®, grow my affiliate program, and start offering trademark services (now over $200,000 in revenue).

They’ve brainstormed every new brand with me — names, logos, color palettes, all of it. They’ve talked me down when I wanted to burn it all down, and told me I was doing ok when I needed to hear it.

I couldn’t have gotten here without my business besties. Now my biggest goal is to help you find the community and accountability to take big leaps toward your biggest goals.

Cheers,
Braden