Why working women  need a tribe (and how to build one)

And just like that, January 2025 has ended! It’s as if you blink and the month is over. I am not going to ask if you are still on track with your goals 😃. January was a wild juggling act for me. For the first time in twelve years, we no longer have a live-in helper. We wanted it that way, and for now, we are still finding our feet in this. It is mostly exhausting and sometimes feels downright impossible, but I think our whole family is slowly adjusting.

Today, I would like to talk about the power of having a tribe, your go-to people, people that get you, and with whom you can truly be yourself. A tribe where you give and receive encouragement without any judgment. The truth is you don’t have to do life alone, regardless of your life stage. You might be working and single, mothering infants and toddlers or mothering older teens, and you need community. It could be your blood sisters, tight-knit group of friends from high school, your school mom squad, or colleagues from work. Strong community can be your saving grace.


Why Community Matters: I realized the importance of  community early in my motherhood journey. I came across a Facebook group for expecting and new mothers just after our daughter was born. This community became my lifeline and offered valuable guidance, as i navigated life as a first-time mother. These are the four areas you need a tribe. 1) Career/Business 2) Motherhood 3) Faith 4) Just for you outside of your roles and the titles you carry. Sometimes, it’s the same group of people who are able to cover all these areas, but it does not have to be. Different people will help you in different areas of your life and even different seasons.

For Your Career/Business:

Building a community with other women who want to grow in their careers or are building their businesses is extremely helpful. You find guidance from who those who have probably walked the journey before you. You might even find new opportunities that you did not even know existed. It can also be  just a group of friends who get it when you want to vent about the latest work drama.

For Your Motherhood Journey:

I have learnt the importance of having other moms who understand the joys and challenges of motherhood. I am not talking about the kind of friendships where the only thing you talk about is how well your children are doing and how perfect and well-behaved they are. You need a few very close people that you can safely share your motherhood journey with. From the chaos of tantrums of the terrible twos, forgotten school projects, and navigating the teenage phase. This will also be your go-to tribe in your never-ending search for balance.

For You Faith:

I share about my Christian faith openly on this platform so growing in my faith walk is something important to me. Having someone on speed dial when you need someone to stand in the gap and pray for you is important. I am grateful because my blood sisters fill this role very well. Out of all six of them, i know who to call for specific prayer requests.

For You, outside of your titles and roles

You also need a tribe where you are just yourself. Not the manager, not mom or wife, but just you, the individual. A lot of times, we are in role or title mode, making sure everything is going well  taking care of everyone and everything else. It’s important to have a tribe where you can just be to be poured into and be encouraged.

Most times you can find all four of the above in the same group of people. However if this is not possible don’t beat yourself up. Sometimes people come into our lives for a specific purpose.

In the busyness of it all, it might seem like building community and having a go to tribe is an impossible task but it is doable. Here are  a few pointers on how to do it.

Steps to Build Your Community

1. Start Small, Start Now: Don’t complicate it. Just think about the people you already have in your life. Your work colleague who’s also a mom? The neighbor you exchange quick hellos with? Or the mom at school pick up that you have never spoken to. Start by inviting them for coffee or scheduling a play date for the kids.

Pro Tip: Pick one person a week to connect with more intentionally.


2. Find Your Tribe in the Wild: Seek out communities that align with your passions and goals. This could be moms you  meet during school pick up, a professional women’s organization, or even a fitness class where you can bond over shared struggles (and sore muscles). I have built community with other moms through play dates that our daughters requested. It was through such connections that I discovered we had a shared faith and we were ambitious and committed to growing our careers and businesses.

Actionable Idea: Join one online group on platforms like LinkedIn or Facebook where ambitious working moms hang out.


3. Be Vulnerable, Be Real: It’s easy to fall into the trap of “I’ve got it all together” mode. Drop the façade. Share your wins and your struggles. Real connections happen when we show up as our authentic selves. I remember sharing about my miscarriage with another mom and we connected instantly  because she had gone through the same.

How to Nurture Your Community

1. A community isn’t just built; it’s nurtured. Schedule regular check-ins: Set up recurring coffee dates, brunches, or even virtual hangouts.

2. Be a giver: Offer help, share advice, or just listen. People remember kindness.

3. Celebrate together: Toast to career wins, cheer on parenting milestones, and laugh through the messy moments.

4. Make the tribe bigger: Don’t have a closed circle that no one else can be a part of. In the multitude of counsel, there is safety (Proverbs 11 vs 14)


A Final Thought

Being ambitious doesn’t mean doing it all alone. Leaning on a community doesn’t make you weak, it makes you unstoppable. So, go ahead and gather your tribe. Because when women come together, there’s nothing we can’t achieve.

Gratitude: January was a very long month with it’s own ups and downs. I am grateful that God helped me and mine.

Gratefully