Tip #4 – Find Your Tribe, Fuel Your Purpose

Dear aspiring change-maker, future and current social entrepreneurs

Tip no4: Find your tribe, fuel your passion

I founded Micro Rainbow 13 years ago, at a time when social entrepreneurship was far less recognised than it is today; at least, that’s how it felt to me. Back then, I had few role models and even fewer mentors to turn to. Most people around me didn’t understand what social entrepreneurship meant, and there was little curiosity or willingness to explore it. I had this dream and passion for making the world a better place through business, but no one to talk to about it!

Being a (social) entrepreneur, a CEO, or a leader can be lonely. I truly believe we all need a tribe, regardless of what we do. Building mine helped nurture my dream and made me feel less alone, more connected, and part of something bigger.

I first encountered the idea of a “tribe” in 2010, when I read The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything by Sir Ken Robinson. My husband had gifted me a signed copy while I was living in Brussels, leading the global federation of LGBTQI organisations, ILGA.

Sir Ken writes, “Finding your tribe can have transformative effects on your sense of identity and purpose. This is because of three powerful tribal dynamics: validation, inspiration, and what we can refer to as the alchemy of synergy.”

These words deeply resonated. At the time, I was torn between two worlds. On one side, I was lobbying governments to decriminalise homosexuality (LGBTQI equality is one of my greatest passions). On the other, I was exploring new income models to sustain our work, unknowingly stepping into social entrepreneurship.

In that transition, I felt like I didn’t fully belong in either space. Reading that book helped me recognise what was missing: a sense of belonging. Creating Micro Rainbow allowed me to merge my two passions, and finally, to build my tribe. But the journey was far from easy.

Tribal validation 

Finding or building your tribe isn’t easy. I’ll admit it was tough at first to find validation as a social entrepreneur. In my experience, people often don’t understand what that even means. Some assume it’s not a “real job.” Others think I volunteer for a local community group (which, by the way, do incredible work!).

I remember going to networking events in London and introducing myself as a social entrepreneur. More often than not, I was met with blank stares or polite confusion: “Oh… I see… good on you,” followed by a quick turn towards someone seemingly more important, perhaps a banker or a lawyer.

In the end, the strongest validation came from within, a gut feeling that this is what I was meant to do. But let’s be honest: it’s not always easy to stay in sync with your instinct, especially when the outside world doesn’t reflect it back.

In those moments, I was lucky. I had my husband, my coach, and a small circle of three people I trusted completely. They believed in the vision. They joined me on the journey. And today, they are still part of my tribe.

Tribal inspiration

Sustaining inspiration over time can be tough. For me, it came from immersing myself in the stories and work of authentic leaders like Jacinda Ardern, and devouring every book I could find on social entrepreneurship.

But above all, my deepest and most lasting inspiration comes from the impact we create. Every time an LGBTQI person fleeing persecution secures the right to live freely and safely in the UK, we feel it at Micro Rainbow. It’s a moment of pure joy that re-energises us and reminds us why we do this work.

Authentic leaders, fellow social entrepreneurs, and the very people we support, our beneficiaries, are the heart of my tribe. They keep our purpose alive, even on the hardest days.

Alchemy of synergy

For me, the “alchemy of synergy” is all about connection, the unique power that arises when people come together with shared purpose and energy.

As I mentioned earlier, when I started my social enterprise I did not have many social entrepreneurs around me I could turn to for casual chats or advice. However, I was fortunate to experience a little dose of the alchemy by attending events like the Social Enterprise World Forum or by participating in a workshop by Social Enterprise UK. It also helped me to speak and connect with social investors. It is not easy still to find the time to attend these events, and when I do, it refills my tank with dreams, ideas and a strong sense of belonging to my tribe. 

In recent years, I’ve welcomed new members into my tribe: my coachees from around the globe and fellow coaches. These are people who, like me, want to make the world a better place through coaching and purpose-driven careers.

I’ve come to realise that being a social entrepreneur doesn’t have to be a lonely journey. However, building our tribe does require intention, and a commitment to nurturing the connections that keep our vision alive.

Five coaching questions I wished I had asked myself sooner

If I could offer one piece of advice to fellow social entrepreneurs, it would be this: build your tribe.

Your tribe will be your ongoing source of validation and inspiration, a gift that keeps on giving. It will help you stay grounded, offer a sense of belonging, and connect you with others who share your values and mission. Most importantly, it can ease the loneliness and uncertainty that often come with the entrepreneurial journey. When the road feels tough, your tribe can be a source of resilience, just as mine has been for me.

Here are five coaching questions I wish I had asked myself earlier in my journey. I hope they support you in building a tribe that nurtures and strengthens you:

• Who is my community—who truly “gets” me?
• Where do I find validation, especially when things feel unclear?
• Who consistently inspires and uplifts me?
• Who is missing from my tribe right now?
• What changes would I like to make to my tribe?

Take time to reflect on these. The answers may surprise you, and guide you.

Three Actions You Can Take to Build Your Tribe

If you’re looking to take action and grow your community, here are three steps I recommend:

• Join Social Enterprise UK: By becoming a member, you’ll have access to a vibrant network of social entrepreneurs. The members’ chat space is a fantastic resource to connect, collaborate, and learn from like-minded individuals.

• Follow the Social Enterprise World Forum: Stay updated on their upcoming events. I personally attended one of their forums and was able to connect with an investor who has since invested £1 million in Micro Rainbow, a partnership that continues to grow and inspire.

• Reach Out for a Chat: I’m passionate about connecting with purpose-driven people. Whether it’s sharing ideas or simply getting to know each other, I’m always open for a conversation. Helping others in their purpose driven career is one of the ways I aim to contribute to a better world, and I’d love to be part of your tribe.

I hope you enjoyed this blog! Let me know if it sparked any reflections. If you’d like to stay updated, feel free to sign up for my monthly newsletter on LinkedIn as well.

With my very best wishes for your purpose driven career,

Sebastian

@sebastianrocca @buildasocialenterprise