Community in business growth shapes how businesses survive, adapt, and perform. It influences leadership quality, decision-making, and long-term stability.
Our journey began with Community Visions Unlimited (CVU), founded in 2022 to support young people through structured development.
The Timeline
CVU was founded in 2022.
In 2023, we launched a community program inside a local mosque. It combined martial arts training with leadership development focused on business thinking and idea incubation.
The objective was clear. Build discipline, resilience, and self-regulation before business pressure entered the equation.
Research shows that martial-arts participation promotes discipline, self-regulation, and adaptive resilience when responding to challenges [1].
In 2024, we purchased our own facility and expanded from Saturday leadership sessions to full-time support.
As the incubated businesses matured, we recognised something important. Together, they had all the capabilities required for venture building.
Build My Idea was formed from that group of businesses. The idea came from combining skills and operational delivery into one integrated venture-building system; Community Visions Unlimited for business strategy, funding procurement and project management, Inspiro Arc for software development, automation and digital marketing, Hillowle Media for videography, photography, social media and sales, and Titanium Business Solutions for branding and design.
Mentoring Improves Survival
Mentoring – Early guidance improves long-term outcomes.
The U.S. Small Business Administration reports that small businesses receiving early mentoring achieve higher revenues and growth, with 70 % surviving beyond five years – double the rate of non-mentored firms [2].
Mentorship provides experience transfer and network access, with UNDP research confirming that mentors help entrepreneurs avoid common mistakes while building confidence and sustainable growth [3].
Mentoring became embedded into our incubator model from the beginning.
Leadership Development Increases Agility
Leadership Development – Adaptability is trained.
Research from the Center for Creative Leadership shows that 86 % of organisations with mature leadership programs respond rapidly to change, compared with 52 % of organisations without mature programs [4].
The same research shows that leadership development improves effectiveness for 86 % of participants and produces positive organisational impact for 99 % [4].
Leadership within Build My Idea evolved through real responsibility.
Incubators Reduce Early Friction
Incubators – Environment shapes performance.
Research from the Kenan Institute shows that business incubators provide affordable workspace, advisory services, and partnerships that improve job growth and access to business support [5].
Incubators also help by lowering early operating costs and connecting founders to networks, knowledge, and social capital [5].
When we moved into our own facility in 2024, founders gained daily access mentorship and shared services. Execution improved.
Community Supports Retention
Community Engagement – It strengthens business outcomes.
Research shows that 76 % of small-business owners volunteer their time and 71 % believe volunteering contributes to company success [6].
Community outreach also supports business goals by building brand awareness and improving employee retention, particularly among value-driven consumers [7].
Values Create Stability
Values Alignment – Culture affects long-term performance.
Research shows that alignment between personal and organisational values improves wellbeing, productivity, job satisfaction, and retention while reducing burnout [8].
From the beginning, discipline, respect, and self-improvement were explicit standards.
Strong Managers Sustain Growth
Manager Development – Leadership quality affects financial outcomes.
Research shows that 82 % of employees would leave a job because of a bad manager, while organisations with effective leadership achieve financial returns up to 500 % higher [9].
Manager development became essential as Build My Idea formed from the incubator businesses.
Key Takeaways
- Mentoring improves survival rates
- Leadership development increases agility
- Incubators reduce early friction
- Community strengthens retention
- Values stabilise teams
Community in business growth is structural. It shapes how businesses perform under pressure.
Ready to build your idea? Book a free audit at buildmyidea.net.
References
- Frontiers in Psychology. “Building resilience through self-defense: the role of martial arts in enhancing psychological strength among women”
- U.S. Small Business Administration. “Mentoring: the missing link to small business growth and survival”
- United Nations Development Programme. “Mentoring as a Key to Success: The Role of Mentors in Supporting Women and Youth Entrepreneurship”
- Center for Creative Leadership. “Why Is Leadership Development Important? 4 Reasons to Invest”
- Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise. “Business Incubators: If you build it, will entrepreneurs succeed?”
- CO – U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “4 Ways Skills-Based Volunteering Benefits Small Businesses”
- Northwest Bank. “Importance of Community Outreach for Small Businesses”
- Medical Group Management Association. “The impact of values on organizational success”
- BBSI. “Unlock Your Managers’ Potential with Leadership Training”