I started my VA business back in January 2006 and one of the things people often ask is ‘what do you owe your success to besides hard work and determination’? Well there’s lots – especially people – that has helped me along the way so that’s why I want to talk about why you shouldn’t go it alone.

Are you the independent type?  Do you prefer figuring things out on your own? Will you spend finding your own answers instead of asking questions of someone who could help you get there faster?  It’s a nice idea to consider yourself a ‘self made’ woman and it looks great on your bio, right?

If this is you, I have to ask, how is it going so far?

If you’re determined to go it alone you should know that you’re opening yourself up for some bumps in the road.  I mean who takes off for a hike and says, ‘Nah, I don’t need a map  ‘I’ll figure it out as I go.’?  The one who got lost, that’s who.  Everyone with common sense bought a map and took the time to study it.  Some even hired a guide to lead them through.

If accessing a map and even hiring a guide is such a smart thing to do, why do so many seem to balk at the idea when it comes to learning about internet businesses.

Learning resources on the web are abundant, and lots of it is free.  I’ve benefited from it and still do.  Still, I can’t imagine if there had been all I had.  A lot that I’ve taken in that helped me to succeed came through a resource I paid for.

Just a couple examples are a $50 eBook written by Rosalind Gardner provided the breakthrough I needed to start earning steady affiliate income.  Without it, I’d be missing out on a big chunk of my income.  Then a $50 coaching session solved a technical problem that had stopped me in my tracks.  Without it, I would have been slamming my head into a wall for sure!

While browsing blogs a couple of years ago I stumbled on a woman who seemed to be going out of her way to fly the ‘Don’t Pay For Info’ flag. Repeatedly she blogged about it, ranting about all the free information on the web and telling readers they were a fool if they spend money on ebooks or membership sites.

In between these soap box sermons, her other blog posts related an interesting message.  Apparently she’s broke because she complains at length about how she can’t afford groceries one week and a birthday gift the next.

It’s not difficult to realize that she’s against paying for learning because she doesn’t have money to pay for it.  Sadly, when I went looking to see how she’s doing today, her blog is gone.   I hope her attitude changed since then and that she’s experiencing some success.

Making selective information product purchases is an investment in your business.  So is making the decision to join a membership program, if you make a good choice.

I’m not patting myself on the back when I point to the Solo Masterminds membership as a great example of providing more than information for members.  Our all female membership which turned seven years old this summer took on a personality and culture of its own right away.

Yes, we’re all about learning but the value added support and encouragement seen between members can’t be manufactured so I don’t claim any responsibility for it.

Profitable partnerships and joint ventures have grown between members and between our coaches and members.  Who better to partner with than someone you’ve trained up with?

When going it alone wears you out, why don’t you come be part of Solo Masterminds and start benefiting from our extensive learning center and powerful network of support!