The VEST Web of Support: How To Develop A Strong Women's Network
- VEST
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
As women navigating complex professional and personal lives, we are often told to “build a network.” But what if what we truly need is more than a network? What if what we need is a web of support, a thoughtfully cultivated system of relationships that sustains, challenges, and uplifts us.
At VEST, we believe no woman should have to navigate her journey alone. That’s why we created the VEST Web of Support, a framework to help you identify, cultivate, and lean into the different kinds of support that will carry you through your growth and goals.
Why a Support System Matters
Whether you're launching a new career, advocating for a promotion, starting a family, or making a major life pivot, having the right people around you can make the difference between burnout and breakthrough. A solid support system provides:
Perspective when you're too close to a challenge.
Accountability when you're striving for your next milestone.
Encouragement when self-doubt creeps in.
Connection when things feel isolating.
But not all support is the same. That’s why our Web of Support breaks this down into four key relationship categories, each playing a distinct and vital role.
The Four Core Support Roles in Your Web
1. Mentors: Your Strategic Guides
Mentors are the people who see your potential, even when you don’t. They take the long view of your career and life, helping you think strategically about your decisions and direction.
Key characteristics of a mentor:
Believes in your potential
Pushes you to grow
Acts as a long-view thinker
Serves as a strategic sounding board
Mentors may not be in your daily life, but their insight can be transformative. They help you align your choices today with your long-term vision.
Tip: Look for mentors beyond your immediate workplace, VEST is a great way to find mentors, other groups include industry associations, alumni groups, etc.
2. Peers: Your Trusted Equals
Peers are those walking alongside you. They share your stage of life or work and understand your current challenges firsthand. These relationships offer a safe place to be honest and vulnerable, without the pressure of performance.
What peers provide:
A shared stage of life or work
A safe place to be honest
Support without competition
Your peers remind you that you're not alone and they often offer the most practical, in-the-trenches wisdom. VEST thrives on helping members develop and nurture these peer connections and meaningful relations.
Pro Tip: Peer groups thrive on reciprocity. Be as willing to offer support as you are to receive it.
3. Partners: Your Inner Circle
Partners are deeply invested in your growth. This can be a life partner, business partner, or close collaborator. They share the work, offer emotional steadiness, and walk alongside you through highs and lows.
A strong partner:
Shares the work
Offers emotional steadiness
Is invested in your growth
While mentors and peers may ebb and flow, partners form the emotional and logistical backbone of your support system.
Tip: Communicate clearly and regularly. Even the most supportive partners can’t read your mind, keep them informed about your goals and needs.
4. Networks & Communities: Your Expanding Circle
These are the spaces that stretch you, celebrate you, and open doors. More than just a Rolodex of contacts, true communities are where you feel both seen and stretched. They’re aligned with your values and offer opportunities, not just access.
What to look for in networks and communities:
Shared purpose or values
Room to show up as your full self
Opportunities for growth, not just connections
Tip: Engage meaningfully. Attend events, contribute ideas, and support others. Community is built through participation. You’ll gain the most from these communities when you show up with intention, generosity, and consistency.
How to Build (or Rebuild) Your Web of Support
Audit your current relationships.Who fills which role? Where are the gaps?
Be intentional. Great relationships don’t happen by accident. Reach out, follow up, and invest in building meaningful connections.
Diversify your web.Include people from different backgrounds, industries, and life experiences. This brings richer perspectives and broader opportunities.
Give as much as you receive.The strongest webs are built on mutual respect, generosity, and trust.
You don’t have to do it all alone and you’re not meant to. By identifying and nurturing the mentors, peers, partners, and communities in your life, you create a resilient support system.
At VEST, we’re committed to helping women not just connect—but thrive. Take a moment today to reflect on your own Web of Support. Who’s already in it? Where are the gaps? And what small steps can you take to strengthen the relationships that will carry you forward?
Subscribe to the VEST Newsletter or better yet, become a VEST Member to access more tools like this, curated resources, and a powerful community of women who are committed to growing together. Your next level of support and success starts here. Apply Today