If you’re a social person, you probably thought “Easy!” when you read this tip. That’s what I did. The group of fashion entrepreneurs that I meet with once a month truly cares about my sanity and the success of my business, and I for the sanity and success of each of the members. Between meetings, we give each other candid advice and cheerleading.

Beyond the social level, however, I also like to hire and promote other entrepreneurs whenever I can. This is where I’ve learned that not all entrepreneurs are looking out for my best interests in the same way that I would for them. I’ve encountered:

• An accountant who pushed monthly services that I didn’t need;
• A stylist who didn’t understand or believe in my product; and
• A technical consultant whose advice turned out to be worth much less than the fees she charged.

I became involved with each of these entrepreneurs at a time when I (a) doubted my own competence; and (b) didn’t want to go it alone. Looking back, it’s understandable. There’s no roadmap to success in my market, so when another entrepreneur claims to know the way in her area of expertise, I’m prone to follow. Add my social nature to the mix, and a partnership was almost guaranteed.

However, in each case, a nagging question kept surfacing: Does she really care about me and my business, or is she only in it for the money or contacts? In each case, once I chose not to work with the entrepreneur or our project ended, she simply disappeared, confirming my suspicions.

As they say about dating, if you extricate yourself from a bad relationship, you’re making room for a better one. Identifying the entrepreneurs who didn’t care about me or my business has helped me to recognize the ones who do:

• A sales consultant who told me that it’s too early for my company to hire her but who follows up with me regularly and helps me set goals;
• An image consultant who loves my shirts so much that she emailed my contact information to the 55 attendees at a workshop she recently led; and
• A website designer and developer who try to outdo each other in looking out for my interests.

Every now and then, it’s a good idea to take inventory of the entrepreneurs with whom you’ve surrounded yourself. Look for entrepreneurs who care as much for your success as you do for theirs. They’re the ones who fill you with a sense of resolve and confidence.

-Darlene Campbell
Campbell and Kate
@campbellkate

***This was Best Business Tip #34. Read the other 99 Best Business Tips.***