“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” Jim Rohn
That quote has stayed with me because it captures something I learned the hard way: the people closest to you influence not just your mood, but your mindset, your expectations and, ultimately, your results. For me, the real turning point in business came when I deliberately built connections through women entrepreneurs networks. The successful women I met there acted as role models, mentors and cheerleaders. They gave me the confidence to grow, personally and professionally.
When I started my business in my 50s, my immediate circle was not especially entrepreneurial. Most of my friends were winding down their careers and looking forward to retirement; their conversations centred on pensions, travel plans and grandchildren, not cash flow, marketing or growth strategies. My former colleagues were public-sector professionals, used to process and hierarchy, for whom the uncertainty of self-employment was almost incomprehensible. They were lovely people, but they were not the tribe I needed if I wanted to build something of my own.
Why solidarity alone is not a growth strategy
For the first few years, I sought out other women at the same start-up stage. We met for coffee, swapped stories, celebrated small wins and commiserated over setbacks. That solidarity was invaluable: entrepreneurship can be isolating, and having people who truly understand the 3 a.m. worry about invoices or client pitches is a lifeline. Yet, after a while, I realised that we were all looking at the same horizon. We were struggling with the same problems, asking the same questions and, in some ways, reinforcing the same limits. Bonding over shared difficulties is human; staying there is not a growth strategy.
The shift happened when I hired a business coach and started reaching out to women who had already built the kind of business I aspired to run. Like many women, I was my own biggest obstacle. I questioned whether I had the commercial acumen, the resilience or the right to call myself a “real” entrepreneur. A coach helped me see that those doubts were not facts; they were habits. She gave me assignments, held me accountable and pointed me towards resources that stretched my thinking. If you are stuck in your own head, investing in a coach or mentor can be one of the fastest ways to move forward.
What the research says about women entrepreneurs networks
Research backs up what many of us sense intuitively. The UK government’s Alison Rose Review of Female Entrepreneurship, first published in 2019 and refreshed in 2024, has repeatedly highlighted that access to networks, mentors and relatable role models is one of the biggest drivers of women founders’ success. According to the 2024 Rose Review Progress Report, women account for only around one in three UK entrepreneurs, and all-female founder teams receive just 2% of UK equity investment. Women who can see someone like themselves running a thriving enterprise are more likely to start, scale and persist. Networks also open doors to finance, partnerships and customers that can be hard to reach alone.
The business case is compelling. The original Alison Rose Review estimated that closing the gender entrepreneurship gap could add up to £250 billion to the UK economy. More recent updates continue to stress that progress depends on practical support: visible role models, accessible finance and strong networks. Women-led SMEs already contribute an estimated £85 billion to the UK economy, according to Rose Review data. Organisations such as the British Business Bank, HM Treasury’s Investing in Women Code, regional growth hubs and women’s enterprise groups are working to close those gaps, but the most immediate resource you can control is your own circle.
How the right people change your trajectory
Winning a local entrepreneur of the year award gave me external validation, but it did not silence my inner critic. Even on stage, I felt like an impostor who might be found out at any moment. What changed was not the trophy; it was the ongoing conversation with people who had already navigated that territory. They normalised ambition. They treated growth as expected, not exceptional. Over time, their confidence in me became my confidence in myself.
Meeting new people remains one of the simplest and most powerful ways to stay relevant. A few years ago, I was introduced to a successful woman entrepreneur who has since become a close friend and business partner. She challenges me to think bigger, move faster and stop apologising for wanting more. That relationship would never have existed if I had stayed within my original circle. Staying open to new acquaintances at events, in online communities, through introductions or even on social media keeps you ready for opportunities you cannot yet imagine.
Today, when I look at the five people I spend the most time with, each one plays a deliberate role. One keeps me organised and focused on execution. Another pushes me to dig deeper, stay curious and ask better questions. A third constantly stretches my vision and stops me from settling for the obvious answer. My husband and daughter, both entrepreneurs themselves, keep me grounded and remind me not to take myself too seriously. Together, they create an environment where growth feels natural rather than forced.
Action steps: audit and upgrade your circle
If you are not sure where to start, audit your current network. Who do you turn to when you have a big decision to make? Do they encourage caution or expansion? Then look for one new connection this month. Small steps compound, and one conversation can change your trajectory.
- Map your inner circle. List the five people you speak to most often about business. Note whether each one stretches you, supports you, or keeps you stuck.
- Find one mentor or coach. A good business mentor or coach gives you accountability and an outside perspective. Look for someone who has solved problems you are about to face.
- Join a women entrepreneurs network. The best UK women in business networks combine peer support with practical resources, funding introductions and sector-specific expertise.
- Attend one event this quarter. Whether in person or online, show up with a clear intention: meet one person who is two steps ahead of you.
- Be intentional about energy. Limit time with people who drain your ambition, and increase time with people who treat your goals as normal.
Build your circle with intention
Changing the company you keep is not about being ruthless or transactional. It is about being intentional. It is about recognising that energy, ambition and possibility are contagious, and that you deserve to catch them. The right women entrepreneurs networks can give you the role models, finance pathways and practical advice that turn a solo struggle into a shared journey.
So, who are the five people in your life? Are they the people you need for the next phase of your journey, or are they keeping you comfortably stuck? As we grow, personally and professionally, our circle often needs to grow with us. Sometimes that means recruiting new people onto your bus: a mentor, a coach, a peer group or a business partner who sees your potential even when you cannot. If you want to get ahead, do not be afraid to change the company you keep.
