Why We Choose to Stay Out of the 'Small Business Community'
Running a small business can be one of the most rewarding experiences in the world. It’s a labor of love, a way to create something meaningful, and a chance to shape your own future. However, like any community, the "small business community" can sometimes be more of a playground than a professional environment. And while it might seem like the place to be for networking and collaboration, there are certain dynamics within it that many of us would rather avoid.
At first glance, the small business world is a supportive, close-knit network where entrepreneurs help each other thrive. And, in some ways, it is. But if you've spent any time within this circle, you may have noticed the cliques, the petty rivalries, and the back-and-forth negativity. For some of us, this is a big turn-off. Here’s why we choose to stay out of these playground games.
1. Cliques and Exclusivity – The 'Cool Kids' of Small Business
One of the things that quickly becomes apparent in any community is the presence of cliques. Small business groups often have their own hierarchy, with the same names popping up over and over again in events, social media, and promotional materials. If you’re not part of the in-crowd or part of a certain circle, it can be tough to break through. Networking can feel more like trying to impress the “cool kids” in high school rather than forging genuine business relationships.
We believe in collaboration, but it’s frustrating when your success is judged based on whether or not you’re seen at the right events or featured in the right spaces. We choose to focus on creating real, meaningful connections with people who are aligned with our values, rather than those who are just trying to climb the ladder by cultivating a false sense of exclusivity.
2. Toxic Positivity and Hollow Support
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that everyone in the small business community is supportive. In reality, there’s a lot of passive-aggressive behaviour that gets disguised as “support.” Compliments and praise are often given, but they come with strings attached. Maybe they’re meant to get you to buy into someone else’s product or service, or worse, they’re only given so someone can have leverage over you later on.
We prefer a business environment where support is genuine. We want real feedback, constructive criticism, and actual partnerships that help each other grow. Toxic positivity — pretending that everything is sunshine and rainbows when it’s clearly not — doesn't help anyone. Instead of pretending that all small businesses are some sort of utopian group of perfect people, we opt for a more honest, transparent approach to business.
3. The "Dog-Eat-Dog" Mentality
The small business community often gets a bad reputation for being cutthroat. Whether it’s the competition for customers, resources, or even recognition, the pressure to “win” can sometimes lead to cutthroat behaviour. In some spaces, people play dirty, undercut prices, or spread rumours to try to sabotage competitors. While this is by no means true for everyone, there’s no denying that this dog-eat-dog mentality can dominate certain parts of the business world.
Rather than engaging in this cycle, we prefer to focus on our values, the quality of our work, and building strong relationships with people who share our vision. By staying focused on our own path, we can avoid falling into the trap of negative competition. After all, there’s plenty of room in the world for all kinds of businesses to succeed.
4. The Need for Validation
It’s no secret that small business owners crave validation. After all, starting and running a business can feel isolating, and getting a pat on the back from fellow entrepreneurs can go a long way. But there’s a darker side to this. In some parts of the community, it seems that validation has become more important than actual substance. Instead of focusing on the success of their business or their work, some individuals are focused on creating a curated, polished image that gets them likes, shares, and shout-outs.
This validation-seeking behaviour creates an environment where the loudest voices get heard, even if they don’t have anything particularly valuable to offer. It’s exhausting. We choose to focus on doing the work rather than on constantly chasing external validation. Our success is defined by the impact we have on our customers, not by how many followers we have on social media or how many times we’ve been featured in an article.
5. The Drama – Why Can't We Just Work Together?
It’s amazing how much drama can occur in the small business community. Whether it’s competing over the same client or gossiping behind each other’s backs, it sometimes feels like high school all over again. The petty squabbles and behind-the-scenes drama can be draining and distracting, taking valuable time away from growing a business.
While we understand that not every small business owner engages in this kind of behaviour, we prefer to focus on collaboration over competition. We believe in working with others who understand that mutual respect and kindness are far more important than petty disputes. Business should be about finding solutions and helping each other grow, not about stirring up unnecessary drama.
In Conclusion: The Choice Is Ours
Ultimately, we choose to stay out of the playground games of the small business community because we value authenticity, integrity, and meaningful connections. We believe that success is built on collaboration, honesty, and hard work — not on cliques, drama, or validation-seeking behaviour. By staying true to our principles, we can create a healthier, more positive business environment that fosters long-term growth and real relationships.
So, while we’re not opposed to being part of a supportive and thriving community, we choose to avoid the toxic side of the small business world. We prefer to carve out our own space, where we can focus on the things that matter most: delivering quality work, building lasting relationships, and staying true to our vision.
