069: Finding "your people" changed my business forever (here's why)
The ripple effects are still unfolding 6 years later
I haven't shared this with subscribers before, but I can trace almost every major business opportunity I've had since 2017 back to two communities that completely changed my trajectory.
In 2017, I found myself part of a small group called Superhero Academy meeting in Costa Rica. Later that year, I joined Two12, an intimate gathering of 65 entrepreneurs in Boulder, Colorado.
Looking back now, it's wild to map the connections:
The coach who helped me scale to multiple six figures
The mentor who showed me how to build genuine audience relationships
The partnerships that opened doors I didn't even know existed
The friendships that supported me through major transitions
The insights that shaped my entire approach to business
Each opportunity led to three more.
Each relationship opened new doors.
Each conversation sparked new possibilities.
It wasn't linear. There was no clear "path to success." Instead, being part of these communities created a rich web of connections, opportunities, and growth that continues to unfold in unexpected ways even today.
Yesterday, I finally found the term for what made these experiences so powerful. It came from an email from Tiago Forte (Build a Second Brain) about "communities of practice" - groups of practitioners who learn through sustained interaction and shared experience.
This isn't just another business concept. It's how humans have always evolved:
Artists meeting in cafes to develop new styles together
Engineers solving complex problems side by side
Spiritual communities deepening their practice
Entrepreneurs supporting each other's evolution
At Two12, every attendee had a personalized schedule of mentor sessions and connections. But the real magic happened in between - the shared meals, late-night conversations, and relationships that continued long after we left Boulder.
Those seemingly random moments led to collaborations I could never have planned. Those casual conversations sparked ideas that transformed my business. Those relationships supported me to step into each new level of growth.
Research shows this type of learning community has three essential elements:
Shared domain (common interests and challenges)
Active community (regular interaction and mutual support)
Practical focus (developing real tools and solutions together)
Why is this so critical for entrepreneurs right now?
We're facing what Tiago calls a "Content Apocalypse." There's more business advice, productivity tips, and marketing strategies available than ever before. Yet many entrepreneurs feel:
More overwhelmed than ever
Stuck in analysis paralysis
Disconnected from their purpose
Burnt out from trying to do it all alone
Unsure if they're making the right decisions
The problem isn't lack of information. It's lack of integration and connection.
You can't integrate new knowledge by yourself. True integration happens through:
Regular interaction with peers who understand both your business AND spiritual path
A safe space to workshop real challenges
Feedback from others who've faced similar situations
Support to align profit with purpose
Community to sustain you as you grow
This is why I'm so passionate about what we've built with Sacred Growth Club. Those early community experiences showed me how powerfully everything is connected - how one relationship, one conversation, one insight can create ripples that transform your entire journey.
Now we've created a space where heart-centered entrepreneurs can:
Develop practical systems that honor both business and spiritual growth
Share real experiences (not just theory)
Support each other's bold moves
Create sustainable success
Build businesses that serve their highest purpose
As one member recently shared:
"The biggest difference isn't just the training or tools - it's having a group of people who understand that business success and spiritual growth are part of the same path."
If you've been feeling called to find your community of practice - a group of entrepreneurs who understand that everything in business and life is connected - Sacred Growth Club might be exactly what you've been looking for.
With appreciation, Phil
P.S. Speaking of Tiago Forte - I'm excited to share that his marketing strategist will be leading an exclusive workshop for our members later this month on their proven messaging framework. Just one example of the high-level training you'll get access to inside Sacred Growth Club. Click here to learn more
Happenings
The January Sacred Business Planning Rituals Challenge is currently under way! Just one week in, participants are experiencing shifts that go far beyond traditional business planning.
What's remarkable is how the experience is serving entrepreneurs at every stage:
For more established entrepreneurs, we're seeing beautiful transformations:
One participant has discovered a sustainable content creation rhythm, finding more spaciousness in their calendar while tripling their publishing output
Another is embracing a complete business model transformation, evolving from local services to an international vision
A seasoned coach is finding the perfect balance between ambitious growth and sacred pacing, integrating mindfulness practices into their business development
For those newer in their journey, the breakthroughs have been equally powerful:
A content creator is confidently transitioning to new platforms that better align with their natural strengths and energy
Several participants are breaking through pricing barriers, implementing value-based rates that honor their expertise
One entrepreneur is doing deep work around their relationship with perfectionism, embracing an "adventure mindset" in their product launch
The most profound impact we're seeing is how participants are transforming their relationship with business itself. Through the planning rituals process, they're discovering:
How inner states directly influence business outcomes
The power of sacred boundaries in creating sustainable growth
Ways to align daily actions with deeper purpose
Methods for breaking free from old patterns and fears
One participant beautifully captured the essence of this work when they recognized how current limitations connect to deeper patterns, and how transforming these patterns opens the door to quantum leaps in impact and service.
We are witnessing participants:
Moving beyond financial blocks to embrace new possibilities
Creating strong boundaries that honor both business growth and personal wellbeing
Transforming fears into focused action steps
Developing sustainable systems that support both profit and purpose
The results are clear: This isn't just business planning - it's an opportunity to completely transform how entrepreneurs approach their work and life.
Want to join our next cohort?
We're considering opening another group in February due to the inspiring momentum we are seeing, and continued interest. To secure your spot on the waitlist and be first to know when enrollment opens:
Share one business pattern you're ready to transform in the comments below
We'll personally reach out with details when dates are confirmed
This is your invitation to join a community of conscious entrepreneurs who are redefining what's possible in business through sacred practices and powerful systems.
Who We Are Celebrating
Aylin Ozdemir
Dr. Aylin Ozdemir is a physician and intuitive healer who bridges traditional medicine with holistic wellbeing. Drawing from her extensive international medical training and profound personal healing journey, she guides others to become active participants in their own health transformation.
Carolina and I are deeply inspired by Dr. Ozdemir's approach to healthcare. Like many visionary practitioners we work with, she recognized that true healing extends beyond conventional diagnoses and treatments. What makes her work particularly powerful is her gift for solving complex medical mysteries while empowering her patients with practical self-healing tools.
By integrating her medical expertise with her personal development insights, Dr. Ozdemir has created something extraordinary - a healing practice that addresses the physical, mental, and energetic dimensions of wellbeing. Her work demonstrates that when we combine scientific knowledge with inner wisdom, we unlock new possibilities for health and vitality.
Follow Her Work on Substack Here
Here is what I want to share this week …
This week's newsletter is special. Instead of sharing my usual curated insights and resources, I want to spotlight something powerful happening inside our Sacred Growth Club community of practice.
Our members aren't just consuming information - they're actively practicing, growing, and supporting each other's evolution. Twice each week, our community comes together in writing circles to develop their voices and share their messages with the world.
Below, you'll find essays from these circles - created in community by entrepreneurs committed to both their craft and each other's success. We're incredibly proud to showcase their work and celebrate their dedication to showing up, writing, and growing together.
This is what a true community of practice looks like in action.
Memorable Quote
Thank you Wisdom Quotes for sharing this reminder.
P.S. You can read all previous editions of the newsletter here, and you can upgrade your subscription here.
What’s next?
Carolina and I are ready to support you in creating a business that aligns with your heart's calling. Here's how we can help:
Discover Your Sacred Business Alignment (Free): Take the Harmony Map Assessment and read our Sacred Business Manifesto to understand where you are on your path and how to move forward with clarity and confidence. Perfect for entrepreneurs wanting to understand how everything in their business connects.
Read the Sacred Business Manifesto (Free): Learn the core principles of building a Sacred Business through our founding story and framework. See how we transformed our approach to business by understanding that everything is connected.
Sacred Business Network: Connect with heart-centered entrepreneurs who understand that success comes from alignment. Monthly connection circles, community workshops, and ongoing support through our private community space. Get the encouragement and collaboration you need to grow.
Join Our Next Implementation Challenges: Action-focused programs like the Sacred Business Planning Rituals Challenge and Substack Growth Challenge help you create real momentum in specific areas of your business. Free for Club members, discounted for Network members. Be sure you are subscribed to be notified when the next one is offered live.
Sacred Growth Club: A complete support system with weekly embodiment classes, live coaching calls, writing circles, and expert workshops. Designed for entrepreneurs ready to build sustainable success through proven practices while staying connected to their purpose. Includes full access to the Network and all challenges.
Be The Flow Coaching (1:1): Personal guidance combining strategic business planning with energy alignment work. Weekly coaching sessions plus full access to Sacred Growth Club benefits. Ideal for entrepreneurs seeking deep transformation and sustainable growth in their business.
The quote- the faster you confront the work, the faster it gets done- really calls out to me this morning.
Excellent post. Restacking