Those of you who work for yourself know that we wear every hat: strategist, doer, dreamer, critic, cheerleader, and wellbeing officer. It’s liberating… and some days, it can be lonely. Because even when you’re self‑employed, you still need a village, just a very intentionally chosen one!​

​Over the years, I’ve learned that thriving on your own isn’t about doing everything alone. It’s about knowing who you turn to for the different kinds of support that keep you grounded, courageous, and well.

Here’s my simple way of thinking about it. I have Celebrators, Buoyers, Grounders, and Guardians!​

​🎉 The Celebrators – who I turn to when I want to share successes. They remind me that my wins matter. And it’s important to know who they are because some people minimise it, some make it about themselves, and some simply don’t get it. But there are always a few who light up with you; the ones who say, “Tell me everything” and genuinely mean it.​

​💪🏻 The Buoyers – who lift you up when you’re finding it hard to take the next step. They help you find courage when you’re about to take on something big. These people steady you when your confidence wobbles. They don’t inflate you; they anchor you. They help you see what can be when uncertainty or fear is fogging your view.​

​😌 The Grounders – keep you being you. They are the people who help you calm down when everything feels too much. We all know working for ourselves can be a rollercoaster so you need people who help you regulate, not escalate. People who bring you back into your body, your breath, your perspective!​

​🩵 And finally we have The Guardians, who protect your wellbeing when ambition or obligation takes over. These people tell you the truth when you’re overdoing it. In this day and age, I think it’s probably the hardest category but the most essential because you need at least one person who will gently say:​ “You’re running on fumes.”​ “You’re slipping into old patterns.”​ “You need rest, not another project.”​

​When you work inside an organisation, these roles often exist without you noticing from colleagues, managers, peers, etc. However, when you work for yourself, you have to consciously curate this team and recognise that it won’t be perfect but being aware of the people who are part of your virtual team is really important.

If you haven’t done it already, why don’t you write down those four roles and then add the names of the people who naturally fit each one. Notice any gaps. Notice any surprises. And notice where you might need to ask for support more intentionally.​

​This isn’t about creating a formal support network. It’s about recognising the one you already have and tending to the places that need strengthening.​

​Working for yourself doesn’t mean working by yourself. Your virtual support team is part of your business infrastructure and just as vital as your laptop, your calendar, and your expertise.​