Build Ecosystems, Not Empires

Written by Gelaine Santiago

One of the biggest mindset shifts I've had to make as a CEO & Entrepreneur 👇🏽

↓

Hi Reader,

I was cleaning up my phone the other day when I came across this note from 2020:

I was taken aback to see my words from 5 years ago because I honestly feel super different now.

I reach out to friends and my business squad all the time! Whether it’s for advice, referrals, or a venting sesh… asking for help has become so second nature that I actually forgot how hard it used to be!

But it took therapy, mindset coaches, lots of journalling (I have dozens more notes like this one 😭) and inner work to reframe asking for help.

I used to see it as a weakness and last resort. But now I see that being vulnerable enough to ask for support can create deeper connections. It's actually core to any true relationship and community.

Just imagine how it feels when someone you care about approaches you with something important. You probably wouldn’t hesitate to help them out. And you might even feel special that they trusted you with something vulnerable. So don’t you think your community would feel the same about you?

Why is asking for help so hard in the first place?

I hate to blame everything on capitalism but if the shoe fits…

Capitalism needs us to be disconnected from each other. It wants us to believe that we’re isolated and without community, because then the only solution is to pay someone to help us.

I think of an Uber ad I saw a few years ago. I forget the exact copy now, but it was something like, “Save a friendship. Don’t ask for a ride. Get an Uber instead.”

I might be a weirdo, but I don’t think asking for a ride once in a while is a good reason to unfriend someone 🤔

So trust that your people WANT to help you.

Your community wants to see you succeed. They are willing to show up for you if you give them a chance.

Asking for help can look like:

• Being honest next time someone asks how you’re doing
• Asking a family member to take something off your plate at home
• Scaling back your involvement on a project you said yes to, even though you’re already overextended
• Investing in a coach, mentor or going (back) to therapy
• Reaching out to another entrepreneur/business owner and asking for advice *Best if you already have an existing relationship
• Taking steps to finally hire a team member or delegating more to your team
• And a *very important one:* Actually LETTING PEOPLE HELP YOU when they offer

How about you, Reader?

What’s something you need help with but have been struggling to ask?

Sending sunshine your way ☀️

Gelaine