Being a founder can be exhilarating, but let’s be real – it can also be painfully lonely. You’re carrying the weight of a business on your shoulders, and when you’re in the thick of scaling, the pressure only multiplies. You’re expected to lead with vision, clarity and confidence – even if inside, you’re screaming, Mayday!
Why founders struggle to find support
The truth is, there’s rarely space to be vulnerable as a founder. If you have a team, you can’t exactly voice your worries to them. They’re looking to you for strength and certainty, not doubts and stress. And when you turn to friends or family? Often, they just can’t relate. Or worse, sharing financial or operational struggles only adds to the stress, because now they’re panicking, too.
I know this struggle all too well. I’ve been a founder multiple times over. I launched and scaled several companies, and I did it alone for most of that journey. During the dot-com bust in the early 2000s, I had no one to turn to. It was the same during the financial crisis of 2008/09 – no founder network, no sounding board, no support system. I was just winging it. And while I got through it, it took longer, was harder, and cost more – emotionally, mentally and financially.
Don’t build a tribe – Join the right one
These days, I see it from the other side. Since becoming CEO of Helm, the UK’s most established founder network for scaling companies, I’ve seen the incredible power of what happens when founders stop trying to go it alone and start tapping into a community that gets it.
But here’s the key: it has to be the right network
It’s tempting to think you need to build your tribe, but joining a curated, experienced founder network – one built for your stage – is a game-changer. At Helm, every member is running a scaling business with real revenue (our average member revenue is £21 million). That means every person around the table knows what it’s like to be in the trenches.
Forum power: Deep connections, real solutions
At Helm, founders join a Forum – a small, tight-knit group of eight peers running similar-sized businesses. Each forum is chaired by an exited founder, and they meet monthly for a confidential, focused three-hour session. These aren’t fluffy networking chats. Founders bring real problems to the table – from urgent tax headaches to market-shaking tariff shifts – and leave with actionable support, fast.
Then there are the Round Table events – intimate gatherings of 8-12 founders, again chaired by someone who’s been there, done that. It’s not just about talking; it’s about solving. And the best part? There’s a strong ‘give and get’ ethos – everyone’s there to share, support and lift each other.
The result? A snowball effect of trust, insight and results. Month after month, members build a deeper understanding of each other’s businesses. The door’s always open, too. Our team constantly connects members to others who’ve solved the same problem they’re facing.
I always tell our members, “There’s always someone further along the journey who’s already faced what you’re going through.”
Not there yet? Start with early-stage networks
But what if you’re not quite at the scaling stage yet? That’s where early-stage support comes in. There are hundreds of accelerator programmes in the UK – 140 in London alone – many of which are industry-specific. If you’re at the idea stage or early growth, these programmes are invaluable. They offer structure, mentoring and connection when you’re just starting out. They’re a smart first step in building the right support system from day one.
Giving back: The founder journey comes full circle
And the journey doesn’t end when you exit. At Helm, 15% of our members are exited founders who’ve stayed on to give back. They become Forum chairs, host Round Tables and lend their wisdom to others earlier in the journey. It’s a full-circle moment that creates a ripple of impact across the whole community.
Don’t scale in silence
So if you’re scaling and starting to feel the loneliness creep in, don’t suffer in silence. Find your network. Not just any group, but one filled with people who’ve been there, are still there and are ready to help you get to the other side. Because scaling alone? That’s the real crisis call.
