When you were a kid, all you had to do to make a new friend was sit next to them in the sandbox and start playing. But where are those sandboxes when you need them as an adult?

Some were fortunate enough to have had their childhood friendships last well into adulthood, but often that’s not the case. People move away, life gets busy and complicated, things change. At some point we have to start over and find ways to make new friends, but building new friendships as an adult can be tough. Where do you go to meet new people? How do you approach someone you think would make a great friend? How do you ask someone to go for coffee with you with no intention other than to start a friendship? And if you’re an introvert, those things are 10 times as hard.

Building new friendships can also be hard as a solo entrepreneur, especially if you work from home. You don’t have the type of job where you go to the office every day and mix and mingle with co-workers near your desk or in the break room. You have to make the extra effort of leaving your home office and seeking people to interact with.

No matter what city you’re in, there are likely a variety of different networking events you can attend. And most networking events are geared towards business owners, so score! But have you ever gone to a networking event with the intention of meeting likeminded people you could connect with on a more personal level, only to leave having conversations with business owners who were trying to sell you what they had to offer? Ugh! You went to have meaningful conversations, but all you got was a million elevator pitches and business cards that are gathering at the bottom of your purse, only to never be looked at again. Lame.

Finding your tribe can be a lot tougher than it looks. Sure you’re a female entrepreneur who enjoys talking shop and learning from other lady bosses. But you also want real friends who you can call when you’re not having the best day. Who you can text at the last minute to go see a movie with you. Who you can have an impromptu beach day with where you do nothing but lay side by side on your favourite floaties on a hot sunny day.

We need that companionship in our lives not only because it’s fun to have a few close friends around who you can talk to and have adventures with, it’s a huge benefit to your mental health to be surrounded by people you feel connected to.

This is one of the main reasons Hustle + Charm is equal parts learning and growing as business owners, and a hub for women to connect and form close friendships with people they can relate to and laugh with outside of business conversations.

Bosses and besties is our motto! Well not really…but it’s kinda cute, no?