Real talk about small business
What works
network
Join the conversation. We’re a network of small business owners talking candidly about the ins & outs of running a small business today.
Let’s talk business
The What Works Network connects small business owners across industries and business models to get real about what’s working–and what’s not.
We trade notes on marketing, sales, operations, management, technology, trends, and pricing. We share what’s happening behind the scenes and talk candidly about the ups & downs.
When you join us, you get access to frank, ongoing discussions about the inner workings of businesses like yours.
Collaborative Learning
We’re a community of experience–not gurus. Our goal is to learn together.
We host community roundtables, flash masterminds, and virtual conferences to encourage conversation and invite new ideas into our space.
Dedicated Conversation Space
The What Works Network is a private space, just for small business owners, online. It’s a distraction-free home for all your business conversations.
Sure, there’s some watercooler conversation (we like to have fun, too). But you won’t see your college roommate’s baby pics or your angry uncle’s rants here.
Intentional Networking
We love to watch how our members connect. We’ve seen alliances formed, joint ventures launched, and friendships forged.
Our members host book clubs, make virtual coffee dates, and meet up in their local areas.
You belong here.
Our membership is a mix of coaches, consultants, writers, educators, designers, makers, lawyers, wellness professionals, therapists, and developers. Over 60% of our members have been running their businesses for 3 years or more.
Some of our members are in their 20s, others in their 60s. Some work with clients one-on-one, others serve thousands. Some have employees, others operate on their own.
One of the strengths of our network is the diversity of experience and perspective you can draw on whenever you want
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What our members say
What I like about The What Works Network is that there are many different types of business owners which means I get exposed to a variety of different perspectives and even introduced to tools I can use to run my businesses that I hadn’t thought of. They say, “You don’t know what you don’t know” and I want to keep learning the things I don’t know if yet from this fabulous brain trust of smart, caring business owners.
Heather ThorkelsonI’ve been a What Works Network member for a year now. Best investment I’ve made and will continue to make for my business and for myself!
Lou BlaserBeing here puts me in contact with entrepreneurs that make me stretch my thinking about my business. To think about it from a different perspective and to think bigger. Even if I don’t act on all of those ideas, they do become part of my internal navigation.
Leslie NicoleIt’s such a fantastic, active community. I feel like in The What Works Network I’m surrounded by mature, serious entrepreneurs actually running a real business. I have not found any other community like it. I have been following Tara for a long time now. I’ve learned so much from her and honestly in my eyes, she is one of the most respected, intelligent and trustworthy entrepreneurs out there. A true mentor.
Jennifer Jane YoungAs a longtime What Works podcast listener and recent joiner of The What Works Network, I will say I have been blown away by the caliber of conversations inside the network. I somehow missed that the podcast is not so much a “highlights reel” of the network as it is a random sample of the goodness that happens inside the network!
Margy ThomasTara is passionate about creating a space for real learning, where the members are teachers and students at the same time. There is no information hoarding, or smoke and mirrors. It is a community of transparency, sharing what works and what does not, and provides space for these conversations that everyone can benefit from. There is no exclusivity, everyone has a spot at the table and that is exactly what the New Economy is all about. Accessibility, guidance, and assistance for all, not just some.
Nicole Lewis-KeeberI really appreciate connecting with the the What Works members because they all understand the ups and downs of building a business! It’s so great to have a place to hang out and feel understood when I share a win or a struggle. None of us got to where we are now without a whole lot of support.
Elinor Fish
No Hype, No Gimmicks
Our members talk about the real-life experiences of running and growing a small business. There’s just no time for false promises.
Our policy is that every voice matters, no gurus allowed. We believe we all have something to contribute: a question, a fresh point of view, or a different way to do things.
We generously share our experiences, our expertise, and our screw ups so that everyone can learn together.
your member benefits
The What Works Network is so much more than a Facebook group or online forum.
When you’re a member, you receive:
- Access to our dedicated online conversation space so you can talk about what’s working–and what’s not–with other experienced small business owners
- Live virtual events–like community roundtables and virtual conferences–so you can discover new ideas and enhance your skills while connecting with other small business owners
- Monthly Flash Masterminds so you can put yourself in the hot seat with experienced business owners and work on your challenges or goals together
- Monthly What Works Insider Hours with Tara McMullin so you can ask about what’s on your mind whether that’s your business, trends you’ve noticed, or what’s working for us
- Concierge support from the What
Works team because you’re never just a number in this network - Priority access to facilitated mastermind groups and retreats
- personal welcome
- hands-on community management
- exploration of monthly topics
- weekly newsletter with featured conversations
- community-oriented policies
The What Works Network is where small business owners like you talk shop—without the drama, hype, or get-rich-quick promises.
Is the network perfect for you?
The Network isn’t for everyone–but it might be exactly what you’ve been looking for. You’re a perfect fit for our community (and get the most from joining us) if you meet these criteria:
- You value honesty, transparency, and investigating what’s beneath the surface
- You’ve been in business for 1 year or more and you want to make your business work better, not just work
- You’re selling an established offer and you’re ready for more predictability, customers, or time to yourself
- You’re working on expanding your mindset, your reach, or your bank account
- You prioritize gathering diverse perspectives along with understanding best practices
Join the network today
Flexible
- Enjoy flexible support with our month-to-month plan.
Annual
- Lock in one year of support and get 2 months on us.
Your Investment
Membership at The What Works Network is $49.99 per month (cancel anytime) or $499.99 per year.
Either plan gets you
Our Guarantee
We know The What Works Network is full of savvy and experienced small business owners who share generously and honestly about their experiences. But we know youdon’t know that.
Give The Network a try for 30 days and if you aren’t blown away by the people you meet, the conversations we invite you to, and the quality of responses to what you share, we’ll happily refund your membership fee.
Is The What Works Network just a community?
We get that there are a bunch of other people selling you an online course, coaching program, or workshop. They’re selling a system, skill-building, and how-to knowledge.
It’s completely understandable that you might expect to find a huge resource library or a curriculum of courses inside of The What Works Network.
But there’s not. By design.
There are a couple of reasons for this:
1) When someone is selling
We do the opposite. We let you tell us what your problem is and we help you work together with other small business owners to find your own solution. In other words, we put you in the driver’s seat.
Sure, we get that you might not even know what your real problem, challenge, obstacle,
You don’t just learn how to do one thing. You learn how to anticipate your own needs, solve your own problems, and achieve your own goals.
2) The market changes too fast to make information resources an effective way to stay ahead.
It can seem like every time you get something working in your business, the market changes and you need to do something new. If you’re buying information every time that happens, you’ll quickly eat up any profit you’re generating with continuing education!
A membership at The What Works Network has you covered. The market changes, we talk about it. It changes again, we put our heads together. Our goal is to provide a sustainable, adaptable solution for the problem of an ever-changing marketplace.
What are people talking about inside The Network?
We talk about all things small business. That includes offer development, marketing & social media, operations, systems development, time management, health insurance, business finances, and more.
One of the best parts about The Network is that we don’t have to stick to the “sexy” small business topics. Sure, we talk plenty about marketing–but we also have a safe place to talk about your mindset, your third hire, or your profit margins. Of course, we think those topics are sexy…
Is The Network appropriate for someone who has been in business for many years?
Absolutely. Once you’ve established a track record as a business owner, you don’t need to learn new things all the time to keep it growing. Your process is more about refining. You want to make your business work better at the same time it’s making you more money and taking up less of your time.
Some of our most active members have been in business 5, 10, 15, even 20 years or longer. They regularly share their own experiences and knowledge. But even better? They bring their questions and challenges to the table, too.