If you’re looking for a startup community, the key is to be active in your pursuit.
This month’s #MillennialTreps Twitter chat with the U.S. Small Business Administration on “Finding Your Community” was full of advice about how to break into the entrepreneurship ecosystem, whether that be in your state, city or right outside your door.
Nothing comes from sitting back and waiting for others to come to you. Participants backed up the idea of reaching out to one person you know with a specific ask and following the chain of events from there. Others iterated you should attend as many events as possible in order to start deciphering which ones you like and which ones you don’t.
These were just a few of the responses. Here are some more of our favorites.
Q1: As an entrepreneur starting out, where should you go to find community support? #MillennialTreps
A1: Here’s a great list of #networking events for #startups to help build your community: http://t.co/TDvjk1ZyZI #MillennialTreps — The UPS Store (@TheUPSStore) August 25, 2015
A1 @1millioncups! Other meetups & community orgs should have resource lists. Once you find 1, you find them all! #MillennialTreps — Kim Wallace (@kimberlyloc) August 25, 2015
A1: @Divorceify @SBAgov @KauffmanFS I have been going to as many meet ups, industry events, networking w/in my circle! #MillennialTreps — Sonia Q. (@Q_Catalana) August 25, 2015
Q2: Q2: Where are the best places for entrepreneurs to be productive (at home, co-working spaces, coffee shops)? #MillennialTreps
A2 #MillennialTreps Have a place for quiet contemplation & a place to collaborate with others & feed off their ideas! — StreetShares (@StreetShares) August 25, 2015
A2: I love @WeWork, coffee shops & comfort of my own home. Depends on what I have to get done that day! #MillennialTreps — Divorceify (@Divorceify) August 25, 2015
A2: Don't waste $ on office space until needed. Conserve resources where possible (working @ home, friends or coffeeshop) #MillennialTreps — Founders School (@KauffmanFS) August 25, 2015
Q3: What are some tips on ways to build a robust business network? #MillennialTreps
A3: Set goals for networking and map out a strategy. Get more tips → http://t.co/bXq3vbOrCm #MillennialTreps — SBA (@SBAgov) August 25, 2015
A3 #MillennialTreps get in with a good group of like-minded #entrepreneurs or professionals in your field https://t.co/XBhP5gzAJP — Tom Ryan (@tomryanavl) August 25, 2015
#MillennialTreps A3: Don't be afraid to get out and talk to people. Talk about your interests and business goals. — Kevin Mackey (@kevmack12) August 25, 2015
Q4: What types of events or meet ups are most beneficial to an entrepreneur? #MillennialTreps
@SBAgov A4: This depends on what U need. The events which combine education & fun provide gr8 benefits. Just get involved! #MillennialTreps — KC Startup Village (@KCSV) August 25, 2015
A5: Any event you can attend where you can learn something new! Find your gaps and close them. | http://t.co/ECx1lDp3NV #MillennialTreps — 1millioncups (@1millioncups) August 25, 2015
#MillennialTreps Pitch events & demo days have a good mix of current & aspiring entrepreneurs. @GCVAcincy is a nice example in #StartupCincy — Kevin Mackey (@kevmack12) August 25, 2015
Q5: How do you keep your community support thriving with new ideas, people and influences? #MillennialTreps
@KauffmanFS A5- this is crucial. There will never be a shortage of people. Expand outside of your inner circle. #MillennialTreps — Ada Nicole Smith (@adanicolesmith) August 25, 2015
A5: I think this quote sums it up. #MillennialTreps pic.twitter.com/bhqicHEqSd — Creditera (@Creditera) August 25, 2015
@SBAgov My take on this is: Give as much as you're taking. Strive to help other budding entrepreneurs grow their ventures #MillennialTreps — James Wachira (@UrbanKenyan) August 25, 2015
Thanks for everyone’s participation, and we look forward to hearing from you more in future Twitter chats. To see the full list of tweets, check out #MillennialTreps on Twitter and follow @KauffmanFS to see when we’ll be having our chat next month and what topic we'll be discussing.
Want to see what happened during our last Twitter chats? Check out:
Challenges in Finding a Mentor, Creating a Mutually Beneficial Relationship Surface in Twitter Chat
Pitfalls in Hiring, Ways to Motivate a Team Arise in Twitter Chat
Millennials Twitter Chat Discusses Relevance of Business Plans, Whether to Co-Found or Not
Twitter Chat Ignites Discussion Obstacles Facing Millennial Entrepreneurs