All of us love the idea of posting something and immediately getting 100+ likes, shares, and comments. As humans, we crave community and validation—it’s a basic human need. The thought that something we share could resonate with so many people, drawing attention from all over the world onto this tiny device in our hands, is powerful. It makes us feel important, seen, and understood. It’s a feeling many of us can relate to and strive for, especially now that everyone seems to live on their phones and true human connection is becoming a bit more scarce. This feeling should lead you to find your “why” for building an online community.

That’s the power of a community. It’s why influencers and celebrities seem to have so much influence—they’ve built and curated a specific kind of following. Fans and stan accounts are always ready to defend their person, no matter what. Sports teams create a similar effect, cultivating a cult-like loyalty regardless of game results. I’d even say political parties fall into this category now—we’ve all witnessed some intense online debates.

In my little corner of the internet, I lean into the small business community. My specialty lies in sustainable digital business growth and helping businesses get noticed online. I share the results I achieve with my clients with my niche community, so they can grow too. Learn more about The Common Creative and my own “why” on my about page. Sure, I want to grow my own business, but more than that, I want to be known as an advocate for the small business community—sharing tips and tricks in a safe space where everyone can rise, gain confidence, and navigate the digital marketing world together.

I didn’t have someone like this when I was just starting my entrepreneurial journey, so I decided to become that person for others.

That’s my reason for building an online community. You’ll need to find yours. After spending quite a bit of time in the digital space, I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside so many amazing organizations and watching them grow while sharing their missions. Here are a few I admire—both for their strong mission statements and how they draw their communities in:

Showit
It’s no secret I love these guys! They’re based in Arizona and are just a dream to work with. Their team knows their audience—creative, picky, and budget-conscious. We want all the customization options without breaking the bank. We want beautiful website designs that are also easy to update. Showit, you have my heart forever. As a creative small business owner, your platform is a dream to work on.

The Legal Paige
Paige has carved out a much-needed niche in the legal space that most of us creatives hadn’t even thought about. I remember feeling overwhelmed and a little scared trying to find affordable legal contracts tailored to my industry. Paige changed that. The Legal Paige offers contract templates specifically for creatives—without the hefty lawyer fees.

Arizona Small Business Association (ASBA)
A statewide membership organization providing everything a small business owner could need—resources, networking, business updates, trade shows, marketing opportunities, webinars, and more. ASBA is a one-stop shop for Arizona-based entrepreneurs.

Not all communities need to be mission-driven, though. It’s completely valid to build a community simply around a great product or service. Here are a few small business accounts I love, where what you see is what you get:

State48 Brewing
A small, family-owned franchise here in Arizona that features a great lineup of local beers—alongside their own brews. They’ve built a community around food, drink, and vibe-worthy locations.

Roka Boutique
For the ladies who love a good outfit! The owner personally curates every piece and has something for every occasion. She created this space for herself and her friends—busy moms who still wanted to look cute and put together.

Sweet Dee’s Bakeshop
The cutest Scottsdale bakery, always on point with themed baked goods for every holiday. Plus, they cater to gluten-free and vegan diets—yes, please!

Pueblo
A dreamy local plant shop in Phoenix. They carry unique houseplants, gorgeous pots, and home decor. They also offer plant care tips and host a local coffee vendor inside—it’s a whole vibe.

At the end of the day, building a community is a labor of love. But when done right, that community will keep showing up for you. So when you’re deep the trenches of social media trying to build your dream community, remember: not everyone wants a complicated mission statement from a coffee shop—sometimes, people just want a solid cup of coffee and a local spot to support. On the flip side, others might love being part of a quirky feminist bookstore’s journey. It’s all about how you build your brand and what kind of people you want in your community.