When Tayo launched her small handmade jewelry business, she was excited but also unsure of how to grow. She’d heard from a friend that blogging could drive sales, so she decided to give it a try.
She spent weeks creating blog posts about her jewelry, the materials she used, and her design process. She optimised the blog for SEO, shared posts on social media, and waited for the sales to come. But after all her hard work, nothing her sales remained stagnant, and her dream of a thriving business started to feel out of reach.
A Call for Change
One evening, Tayo stumbled upon an ad for a free webinar: “How To Build a Thriving Online Community to Boost Your Sales.” Skeptical but curious, she clicked the link, hoping to find a solution.
The webinar host introduced a new way of thinking—building a community around your business, not just focusing on sales. This message resonated with Tayo. She realised that her previous approach had been all about pushing products, instead of building relationships and offer value beyond the sale.
Facing Early Barriers
The advice was refreshing, but it also felt daunting. To build a community, Tayo had to shift her entire focus from products to people. She’d never done anything like this before.
The idea of creating a Facebook group, interacting with followers, and adding value to the community seemed overwhelming. How could she possibly manage it all while running her business?
But Tayo’s desire for change and growth outweighed her fear. She knew she had to face this challenge head-on.
Guidance and Wisdom
As Tayo dove deeper into the concept of community-building, the webinar host became her Mentor. She learned that success wasn’t about perfection—it was about being real and offering value that resonated with her audience.
Her Mentor also suggested starting an email list and creating a private Facebook group where customers could engage with her and each other. This would allow her to build genuine connections with her audience and give them a reason to care about her products.
Support Along the Way
Tayo wasn’t alone in her journey. She reached out to Tosin, a fellow small business owner who had successfully built a community around her business. Tosin shared her own experiences, offering practical advice on how to nurture an online community.
Tayo also recruited a friend who worked as a social media manager to help her fine-tune her Instagram strategy, making sure her posts sparked conversation and engagement.
Slowly but surely, Tayo started to build her support system.
Unpredictable Challenges
Not everything went according to plan. Tayo launched her Facebook group with excitement, only to find that initial engagement was low. Despite her best efforts, people weren’t responding.
Determined not to give up, Tayo decided to try something different: she started a challenge within the group called “Create Your Own Jewellery Story” and invited members to share the story behind their favourite jewellery pieces. To her surprise, the group came alive. Members posted their stories, tagged Tayo’s business, and invited their friends to join.
A Surprising Shift
As the group continued to grow, Tayo noticed something unexpected. One of her most active members, Sarah, had been sharing her own jewellery-making journey. Sarah’s posts were gaining traction, and it became clear that she was promoting her own jewellery line.
At first, Tayo felt betrayed and confused. But rather than confronting Sarah, she saw this as an opportunity to learn. Tayo realized that community-building meant embracing diverse voices—even if that meant competition. She chose to focus on what truly mattered: supporting her group and fostering growth for everyone.
Conquering Self-Doubt
Throughout the process, Tayo’s biggest challenge wasn’t external—it was her inner fear. What if no one cared about her community? What if they saw her as inauthentic? These thoughts crept in every time she posted in the group or launched something new.
But Tayo pushed through the fear. She shared her own struggles with imposter syndrome, and to her surprise, her audience responded with gratitude. Her vulnerability helped build trust and connection. She knew that if she wanted her community to thrive, she had to be authentic and let go of the fear of judgment.
A Thriving Community and Increased Sales
Over time, Tayo’s Facebook group, became a vibrant hub for jewellery lovers.
Members shared their own stories, gave each other feedback, and engaged with Tayo’s posts. What’s more, they began purchasing from her store more frequently, often recommending her products to others.
Tayo didn’t have to “sell” anymore—her community was doing it for her. The group became an integral part of her business strategy, and as the community grew, so did her sales.
One day, Sarah, the member who had once seemed like a competitor, posted a heartfelt message in the group:
“I started my own jewellery business thanks to Tayo’s support, and I just wanted to say thank you. I’ll always recommend her pieces to my followers because she’s the real deal.”
Tayo smiled, realising that her community wasn’t just about selling—it was about making real connections. Her business had transformed, and so had her approach to success.
What You Can Learn from Tayo
Tayo’s journey shows that building a thriving community takes time and effort, but it’s worth it. Here’s what you can do to start:
- Be open to new ways of thinking.
- Push past the fears and barriers that hold you back.
- Seek advice from those who have built successful communities.
- Build a network of supporters who help you along the way.
- Adapt when things don’t go as planned, and be creative in your approach.
- Embrace diversity and competition within your community.
- Conquer your self-doubt by staying authentic and true to your mission.
If you focus on building genuine relationships and offering value to your audience, your business will grow in ways you never expected. Start today, and build a community that drives your success.
You can read our how to build a thriving Facebook group guide here
