Are The Right People in Your Corner?

As business owners, we often feel like we’re alone on an island trying to navigate our companies. This feeling may resonate with you in particular if you’re a solo entrepreneur with a startup that hasn’t hired staff yet. You find yourself wearing multiple different hats — CEO, accountant, social media manager — which can be exhausting.
I’ve realized over the years that there are certain types of people who you need to have in your corner to be successful. They say you become the five people who you hang around with the most. As an entrepreneur, you have to be very diligent about where your time and energy go and the influences in your life. You have to stay focused on your mission, and your goals, and keep positive energy in your life.
Sometimes, you might have to cut certain people out of your life if they’re draining you of your energy. During the pandemic, when everyone was working from home, I had a friend who constantly complained about how bad it was and how all of our lives would be ruined. Finally, I decided she wasn’t someone I could have in my life anymore. I had to remain positive and calm so I could keep up with my business. I realized that there are always going to be negative things and obstacles in life, but if I dwelled on them, my life and business would suffer.
Here are five types of people who will absolutely elevate your game if you have them in your life. 

1: The Cheerleader

This person is your biggest fan and supporter who always cheers you on, even when things aren’t going well. It’s always so helpful to have someone in your corner who cheers you on along the way. They’re a constant in your life during the good, the bad and the ugly.
When you start seeing success in business, jealousy can kick in and some people in your life might turn on you because they’re dealing with their own insecurities. Find a cheerleader who celebrates your success like they would their own. Cheerleaders are your voice of inspiration.

2: The Realist

The realist in your life is the person who’s not afraid to ask hard questions because they see problems you might not see before they arise. They want you to be successful, so they’ll look our for any obstacles that may arise before you get there. This person isn’t negative — they’re real. They’re a person who will tell you what you need to hear instead of what you want to hear. Even if their advice is difficult to hear at the time, you’ll see the value in their advice down the road and thank them. The realist is your voice of reason.

3: The Assistant

The assistant helps you stay on track. I would be lost without my assistant, Makayla. She’s skilled at all the things I’m terrible at and truly completes my brain. She never forgets anything and reminds me of things personally and professionally that need to happen in my life each day. Your assistant should be your right hand and the backbone of your organization. Assistants are your voice of progress.

4: The Connector

The connector helps you find new avenues and partnerships for your business and introduces you to allies that will help you along the way. This person might introduce you to referral partners or help you break through roadblocks and get to people you haven’t been able to reach yet. I have many connectors in my life, people who send referrals my way or just people who are well-connected in the community. If you don’t have a connector in your life, you need to get one. They are your voice of connection.

5: The Coach

The coach is someone who pushes you every step of the way. They see things you don’t see in your business. They’re your North star, guiding you to greatness and pushing you beyond anything you thought you could accomplish. They’re your mentor, catalyst and an example of where you want to go. If you don’t have a business coach in your life, you should get one: They might be the most important person to help you reach your personal and financial goals. They are your voice of inspiration.
With all of my years of doing business, these are the five most essential people to have in your corner to be successful. Remember, you become the five people you hang around the most, so choose wisely!
Deedra Determan, Founder

Deedra Determan started her career working in television for one of the top media companies in the country and later became a marketing consultant in the television industry.

Determan went on to launch a niche website for moms in her local market with over 100,000 moms visiting the website each month using the power of Facebook. After one year from launching, Determan sold the website to Oklahoma Media Company, Griffin Communications. Determan went on to launch a digital marketing agency, D2 Branding – Tulsa SEO, Marketing, and Website Design that was recently recognized as one of the “Best Entrepreneurial Companies in America” by Entrepreneur Magazine’s Entrepreneur360.

Determan is the host of the Do It My Way Podcast Show, empowering women business owners and CEO’s to do business on their terms with no regrets, hesitation or fear. Determan coaches these women on how to create a personal brand so they can live a life of financial freedom, working when they want to work and making the money they want to make!