The importance of a strong relationship in today’s start up market

By Nicola Pitt

I am so lucky. I have a wonderful husband & kids and great relationships with my friends. They are my number 1 support network. But getting a great network is so important in today’s business environment.

We have all heard about balance in our lives. But for many of us with startup businesses, this is easier said than done. Or is it? What is balance? In business, balance could be described as "Finding time to give to yourself, your network and your business (whether it is startup or established.)" Yes, the economic environment means we have to work harder, longer and smarter, but at some point you will need the help of your network. Starting a business is difficult at the best of time. But in the current environment, it is cut throat. We need to balance our books, money going in and money going out. This takes time and passion as well as knowledge of our particular industry. This is a time consuming process. But at some point you need to stop.

But in all this, it is so important to be able to put aside time to build and maintain our relationships. Time to be with people not connected to our businesses, people who will nurture us as humans, partners and parents. This regenerates us as people. It reminds us that we need to be there for them when they need us, and that we need them in just the same way. It reminds us to have fun, laugh, look at the flowers and just be.

We read about business people, at the top of the game, saying they are going to hand over the reins and instead getting sick, losing the plot or other. They never get the opportunity to spend time with their kids, their marriages fall apart and their friends end up somewhere else when they were needed. Why? Because they put all their time and energy into their businesses. They forgot to feed their relationships.

So, stop for a minute and consider, how did you last feed your relationship? Did you drop an email to a friend? Take a night off to share a movie with your partner? Take your kids to that birthday party? Feeding your relationships now, it is hard to find the time, I know, but do it now and reap the rewards when you need them. Good friends are hard to find, great support networks even harder.

Try going to a movie, reading a book to your children, taking them to the park, sending an email, write a letter, have a lunch break with someone, a quick text or phone call. But remember