5 Tips for Finding Your Tribe
Freelancing and self-employment can be brilliant, but they can also feel isolating without the right people around you. I’ve learned over time that the right community can change everything.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re craving community, creativity, and connection, but you’re not quite sure where you belong, this is for you.
I’ve put together a short list of five communities (plus a bonus) that I’m genuinely part of and value. Each offers something a little different, but all are about finding your people, your pace, and your vibe.
Creative Entrepreneurs Club
Rachael Arnold founded the Creative Entrepreneurs Club in Scotland and it has grown into a genuinely welcoming community for creatives and freelancers everywhere. It’s supportive, practical, and refreshingly inclusive, with weekly meetups, expert sessions, and real opportunities to connect. You can also join me every Third Thursday at 3pm for a Canva drop-in session.
Membership is £6.00 per month (plus VAT), which makes it one of the most accessible creative communities I know. Less than a latte or vino (I think, I am not sure as I don’t drink either)…
Join Creative Entrepreneurs Club here.
L&D Free Spirits
I discovered this community after Kim Ellis approached me to run a Canva session for her members. One clarity call later, I’d signed up myself.
Since then, Kim has become my number one LinkedIn connection of 2025, and I’ve delivered multiple Canva sessions for the community, including one at the inaugural Free Spirits Live full-day virtual conference. I’m already booked again for L&D Free Spirtis Live 2026 and genuinely delighted to be part of the lineup. (Early bird tickets on sale now).
It’s a brilliant community for freelance L&D professionals and trainers, with webinars, virtual meetups, in-person coworking, and an active Circle community that keeps the conversation going between events.
Join now £30 per month or £300 per annum!
The Playhouse
I met Deanna Seymour through another virtual network run by Jaime Blair and was immediately drawn to her playful vibe and shared love of music.
After being on her mailing list for months, I eventually joined The Playhouse and quickly realised it was built for people like me.
It’s a virtual social club for online business owners who would rather build real relationships and collaborations than live on social media. The tagline says it all: “more clients with less social media.” I’m looking forward to running a Canva session for the community in 2026.
Big Soul Network
I’ve known Kim Macleod for over a decade, ever since I delivered live tweeting at her Scotland’s Happiness Day event back in 2013. With a shared love (and occasional frustration) around the world of book publishing, our conversations have always been thoughtful and engaging.
When I learned about the Big Soul Network, I suggested we run a Create a “Joy Board” in Canva session for her community, which we did last month.
This is a heart-centred, reflective space for people who like to explore creativity, purpose, and connection in a more soulful way. Like The Playhouse, the community lives on Heartbeat, which makes it feel calm, considered, and human.
Using my special link gets you 50% off for the first three months.
Konpasu Community
It’s been great to see LinkedIn Local resurrected in Glasgow, led by Wendy Harris, who first launched it in Ayrshire and has since expanded to Glasgow and Edinburgh. The Konpasu Community, run on Skool, is ideal for business owners who value building connections both online and in person.
In 2026, weekly speakers will be invited to run sessions, and I was delighted to kick off the series this year with a Canva session on LinkedIn carousels, with another already booked for next spring. Beyond that, the community has been brilliant for my tape transfer business, Totally Content, helping me preserve wedding videos, Christmases, holidays, and treasured cassette memories.
For £12, you get access to the online community and events as well as a monthly in-person networking event. Genuinely great value. Learn more on the Linkedin Local for Glasgow Linkedin page.
Bonus Community: SEO School
Janine Marriot is a fellow trainer and long-time friend, and I’ve been part of her SEO School for a year now. Inside SEO School you’ll find training videos for digital visibility, plus weekly live sessions and co-working calls every Wednesday afternoon.
It’s a smashing community with business owners who show up and support each other. Janine also brings in expert guest sessions, including my Canva session, a Google Analytics session by my colleague Brian, and even a session on TikTok shops.
I’m proud to be a member of all of these communities and I’m excited for more collaborations and opportunities in 2026 and beyond.
Have I missed any out? Let me know.
People Make Glasgow
Finally, if you’re local, then check out this petition from Made Brave’s Andrew Dobbie to celebrate Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games 2026. If you are here, please consider signing it. I miss that old beautiful pink sign. It would be good to have another visual moniker.
About Me
If you’re new around here, I’m Thea Newcomb. I’m a Canva Verified Expert who helps freelancers and business owners feel more confident with Canva, and I firmly believe work should be fun.
Outside of work, I’m usually crate digging for records, CDs, or something equally nostalgic.
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