Forming your own group

Learn how to form your own group and how a MasterMind group would benefit you

 

What is unique about the information on this site is that we encourage starting a mastermind group on your own and for FREE!  There is definitely more work that must go into building and continuing your group, but if you give it the time it will be worth the sacrifice and in the long run save on your pocket book.

 

Here are a few tips to utilizing when forming your own group.

 

It has to be worth your time

First and foremost, a MasterMind group must provide support and worth your time.  As Carey Baker, a Tulsa MasterMind Group member, first asked when invited into her MasterMind group, "what am I going to get out of it." This was an important question for her and should be for any busy business woman.  Carey wanted to know that she wasn't going to attend a social luncheon or simply a gab session at lunch and that is what you should be looking for as well.  You should go into this looking for a support group that will provide input on tough topics and serious issues and will provide confidence with the topics you discuss.

Don't Pick Your Friends

Your mastermind group shouldn't be a group of your already known friends.  Your MasterMind group may grow into beneficial friends, but as you develop the group it is important to not lean to girlfriends that you are already calling for support for other areas in your life.  You want businesswomen that will give you an unbiased opinion of topics that are relevant to you.  And be willing to give this support as well.

Level of Accountability

You need to be able to hold each other accountable.  Accountable for showing up at each meeting.  Accountable for offering advice that will help their business grow.  Accountable for bringing topics to the table that are important and relevant to your business growth.  Don't' commit if you can't be accountable to the other women.

Don't be afraid to get out if it is not working

If your MasterMind group is not working for you, communicate this to the group.  You are all in it for the same reasons, to grow your business through support, so if you are not feeling connected to the group you should not waste your time and everyone elses time as well.

Organize the Group

To get started, reach out to other businesswomen in your community that would have similar backgrounds and interests.  A businesswoman in the same industry type but who is would not be a direct competitor would be the best place to start.  Don't be afraid to make the call because you should know many other business women are looking to find business support just like you.  The group works best when there are 4-6 women in the group.  More than that will lose focus and less will not allow for enough varying opinions.

Set a time to meet and stick to it.  It is hard to get a group of business women and mom's together on a regular basis but if you work hard to make it happen the rewards will come. 

Designate someone as your meeting note taker.  The meetings don't need to be organized with minutes (unless you want to) but you do what someone that can help keep the group organized and provide any follow up if needed.  You can rotate on this role to make it easiest.

Bring topics to the table.  You should prepare for the meeting mentally by gathering issues and projects you may want to get feedback from your group.  Jot these notes down and even assign a "theme" for each meeting.  Check our Topics on the Table section for specific examples of topics for your MasterMind meetings.