There is a general myth in the world of business: the “Lone Wolf” entrepreneur.
The solitary genius working late into the night, fuelled by coffee and isolation, until eureka! they crack the code and become an overnight success.
But here at Welsh ICE, we know the reality is very different. While the ambition may be individual, the most successful journeys are rarely taken alone.
Starting a business, especially a side hustle, can be an incredibly isolating experience. In fact, around 90% of startups fail often not because of a bad idea, but due to burnout, lack of market need, or simply running out of steam. When you are working 9-to-5 and then switching gears to build your dream from 5-to-9, who do you turn to when you hit a wall?
This is why cohort-based learning, learning in a group – is a superpower.
It is the beating heart of our 5-9 Clubs! Read exactly why 👇
The Hive Mind
When you learn in alone, you only have access to your own perspective. You solve problems based on your own biases and previous experiences.
However, when you join a 5-9 Club, you are immediately plugged into a ‘hive mind’. You might be sitting next to a creative marketer, a rigorous accountant, or a tech wizard. Research shows that collaborative learners retain 3.2x more knowledge than those who learn passively or alone.
When you share your business idea with the group, you aren’t just getting feedback; you are getting:
Diverse perspectives: A problem that looks like a mountain to you might look like a molehill to someone with a different background.
Stress-testing: Others will see holes in your plan that you are too close to see.
Skill-swapping: You might help someone with their branding, while they help you with your spreadsheet.
The Antidote to Imposter Syndrome
Perhaps the biggest barrier to starting a business isn’t a lack of capital or time, it’s a lack of confidence. Imposter syndrome (“Who am I to start a business?”) is the killer of dreams, affecting a massive 20% of entrepreneurs according to UK studies.
In a group setting, specifically a supportive environment like the 5-9 Club, you realise quickly that everyone is in the same boat. Seeing others struggle with the same doubts, ask the same ‘silly’ questions, and overcome the same hurdles is incredibly validating. It transforms the narrative from “I don’t know what I’m doing” to “We are all figuring this out together.”
Accountability: The Key to Momentum
It’s easy to break a promise to yourself. It’s much harder to break a promise to a room full of peers.
The 5-9 Club provides a structure of accountability. As Harvard Business Review highlights, accountability rooted in connection and support is far more effective than trying to force yourself to work through sheer willpower.
When you commit to a goal during a session, you know that next week your cohort is going to ask you how it went. This positive peer pressure is often the difference between an idea staying on a notepad and an idea launching into the market.
Your Network is Your Net Worth
Finally, learning in a group builds your professional network organically. The people you sit next to in the 5-9 Club often become your first customers, your first collaborators, or your biggest cheerleaders.
At Welsh ICE, we don’t just build businesses; we build ecosystems. The bonds formed in these evening sessions often last far longer than the course itself.
Ready to Take the Leap? 🚀
If you have an idea burning in the back of your mind, don’t let it fizzle out in isolation. The 5-9 Club is designed to fit around your day job, giving you the skills, the confidence, and most importantly – the community you need to launch.
Don’t go it alone. Come learn, grow, and launch with us.
We have several courses starting soon:
- Caerphilly 5-9 Club: Starts 21st of January
- Newport Neurodivergent Start-Up Launchpad: Starts 29th of January
- Newport Grow Course: Starts 3rd of February
- Newport Business Start Up Course: Starts 10th of February
Don’t wait to start making your dreams a reality…
