You’re Not Alone: Why Peer Groups Work (Especially in Furniture Manufacturing)

By: Sid Meadows

Running a manufacturing business can feel like you’re building a rocket ship in a vacuum. You’re expected to know everything, solve everything, and scale everything, often alone.

That isolation is exactly what we set out to solve with The Collaborative Network.

In this blog, we’re unpacking why peer groups matter more than ever, especially for small business manufacturers in the furniture industry, and how the right group can become a powerful catalyst for growth, clarity, and connection.

The Lonely Road of the Small Business Founder

When I started my business, Embark CCT, in 2017, I quickly learned how lonely the entrepreneurial journey can be. I didn’t know many other independent consultants, and often felt like I was building my business in the dark.

Even as things were going well - new clients, growth, even hiring my first employee - the isolation was still very real. That changed in 2018, when I attended an event and met a group of fellow entrepreneurs. We clicked. Soon after, we started an informal monthly peer group. It was one of the most impactful things I did that year and had a significant impact on me and my business.  

The conversations, ideas, and camaraderie became a source of energy and perspective I didn’t know I needed. Most importantly, it reminded me: I’m not alone.

Many small business owners, particularly in the furniture manufacturing industry, share this sentiment. They have great products and talented teams, but leading a business, especially in today’s climate, is tough. That’s exactly why we created The Collaborative Network: to bring small business leaders together so the journey doesn’t have to be so solitary.

What Is a Peer Group, Really?

To understand what a peer group really is, it’s important to start with what it’s not.  A peer group isn’t a networking event. It’s not a sales pitch, and it’s not therapy.

A peer group is a curated group of fellow business leaders who understand your world and are committed to helping one another grow and thrive. It’s a space to speak openly about challenges, test ideas, gain perspective, and share what’s working.

Think of it as your personal board of advisors without the formality and with a lot more trust.

It’s a place where you’re building connections, developing relationships, and becoming friends who support each other in a variety of ways.

The Real ROI: Shared Knowledge, Referrals, Faster Decisions

So what’s the payoff?

Here’s what we’ve seen from peer group experiences:

Shared Wisdom: You’re not the first to face a shipping issue, a pricing dilemma, or a rep who won’t return calls. Learn from others who’ve been there or are going through the exact same thing you are, at this very moment.  

Fresh Perspective: Peer feedback helps you step outside the day-to-day and see your business in new ways.  It’s refreshing to gain insights and ideas from your peers.  Oftentimes, we are blinded by what’s in front of us and can’t see the solutions that are available to us.  And all it takes is hearing an idea from a colleague who's not working in your business to help you solve your issue quickly.  

Smarter, Faster Decisions: You’ll spend less time second-guessing and more time taking action. When we face a challenge, we can get stuck on the hamster wheel of possible solutions or ideas, and often they are so vast that we don’t make a decision, much less take action. Action is what we need to move your business forward.  

Meaningful Connections:  We all need them, and we all crave them - a meaningful connection.  In peer groups, you will build genuine relationships with people who understand you and who may one day become your collaborators, partners, and lifelong friends.

Why Furniture Manufacturing Needs Collaboration Now More Than Ever

The contract interiors industry is undergoing rapid change. Tariffs, design trends, customer expectations, and global disruptions are constantly reshaping the landscape. For small and mid-sized manufacturers, keeping up, let alone getting ahead, can be overwhelming.

That’s why now is the time to build strong, connected communities of business owners and leaders who are willing to share, learn, and grow together.

Small business domination starts with collaboration.

How The Collaborative Peer Model Is Different

At The Collaborative Network, we’ve designed our peer groups intentionally—because we’ve been in your shoes and we know what works.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Regular virtual meetings with a trusted group of peers

• Member updates to share what’s happening in their business

• Expert-Led Learning on topics selected by the group from customer experience, AI, tariffs, market trends, and more

• Real-time problem-solving on your toughest challenges 

• Action and Accountability, so what happens between meetings creates real momentum

Above all, we want our members to leave feeling energized, supported, and equipped with insights they can apply immediately.

Because the real power of a peer group isn’t what happens in the meeting, it’s what happens after.

Final Thought

If you’re a small business furniture manufacturer trying to grow your business, solve challenging problems, or simply find a group of people who get what you’re going through, you don’t have to do it alone.

The Collaborative Network was built for you.

Want to learn more about The Collaborative Network? Visit our homepage ➝ www.thecollaborative.network