We recently connected with Kara Horat and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kara thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea

The idea started because I was stuck.

My business was doing well — the income was there, things looked good on the outside — but something just felt off. I didn’t need another coach. I’ve had incredible coaches over the years — business, life, spiritual — and they’ve all served a purpose. But this time, I wasn’t looking for advice. I was craving depth. I wanted a mastermind. A space where I could be around other women who had been there, done that, and were still in it. Women who could challenge me, sharpen me, and speak from real experience.

So I started looking. This was back in 2012. Most masterminds were either online (which wasn’t really the norm yet) or insanely expensive — $12K, $15K, $20K. And I remember thinking, there has to be something between a $40 networking lunch and a $20,000 mastermind. And when I couldn’t find it, I realized: if this doesn’t exist and I need it, other women probably do too.

I gave myself about six weeks to plan a launch event. I didn’t do it alone — I had a few business-minded friends who helped me pull it together. I created an invite list, started spreading the word, put together a PowerPoint to walk through the concept, and we decided to host it as a happy hour. We bought wine and food, found a great venue, and made it happen.

And we didn’t just talk — we gave them something tangible. I created a small binder they could take with them that outlined our community values, explained what a mastermind actually is, and helped them understand what we were building.

Fifty women showed up.

From that event, we launched six in-person mastermind groups — each one held in private conference spaces, each one led by a trained facilitator. And that was the start of Connect For Success Mastermind.

It didn’t begin with a fancy business plan or huge budget. It started with a real need, a bold idea, and the belief that if something is missing — maybe you’re the one meant to build it.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’ve been an entrepreneur for almost three decades, and in that time I’ve built businesses, mentored women, and learned that success isn’t just about strategy — it’s about community. Women need honest support, real connection, and space to grow without needing to have it all together. That’s why I created Connect For Success Mastermind (CFSM).

At the heart of CFSM is a concept I coined: Entrepreneur Isolation Syndrome — the emotional and psychological weight entrepreneurs carry when they’re building solo. It looks like decision fatigue, self-doubt, burnout, and that constant feeling of “I’m doing all the things, but no one really sees me.” I didn’t read about it. I lived it. And I knew if I was feeling it, other women were too.

CFSM exists to break that cycle.

We’re a by-invitation-only community designed for women solopreneurs who are ready for aligned growth — in business and in life. Our members are sharp, self-aware, and done doing it alone. Everything we offer is built to provide clarity, momentum, and a trusted circle that gets it.

Our offerings include:

Signature Mastermind – Vetted, high-touch groups led by trained facilitators with structure, strategy, and accountability.

ELEVATE Events – One-day and weekend gatherings that combine clarity, connection, and next-level growth.

NEW: ELEVATE 100 (April 2026) – For the first time, we’re opening our doors wide — hosting 100 women in a transformational, high-energy experience rooted in everything CFSM stands for. The transformation we’ve seen inside the community makes it clear: it’s time to expand the impact.

Mix Mingle More – Casual but purposeful meetups designed to spark connection and conversation without pretense.

Dinner Club – Intimate, real-talk gatherings where women come as they are and leave feeling seen and supported.

Strategic Momentum Accelerator – A custom one-on-one experience with me for women who want clarity, direction, and focused, no-fluff support.

Licensing Opportunities – For women ready to bring our mastermind or Dinner Club model into their own communities.

What makes us different is intentionality — yes — but more than that, it’s about curating the right women with the right mindset at the right time. We’re looking for women who are grateful, gracious, and generous, serious about their business, and flexible in how they grow. That’s the energy we hold, and it’s the standard we protect — because it’s what creates the kind of safe, powerful space where real transformation happens.

What I’m most proud of is seeing women go from spinning their wheels to making aligned decisions, showing up with confidence, and finally feeling supported as they lead. Not because they’ve figured it all out — but because they’re no longer doing it alone.

If you’re just discovering CFSM, here’s what I want you to know:
Entrepreneur Isolation Syndrome is real — but it’s solvable. And if you’re ready to step into a community that actually gets you, we’ve built the room you’ve been looking for.

Have you ever had to pivot?

When COVID hit, like everyone else, I had to make fast decisions. But what I saw in that moment was more than a need to pivot — it was an opportunity to elevate. I was doing a lot, moving fast, running multiple mastermind groups and in-person events… and that forced pause gave me the space to ask better questions.

The most important one was: Is this a mastermind I would want to be a part of if I weren’t leading it?
And the honest answer? Not yet.

I realized I was often the smartest person in the room — and I never want that. I want to be surrounded by women who challenge me, who’ve been there, who are still in it, doing the work. And I want that for every woman in Connect For Success.

So instead of trying to keep everything going, I elevated what we were doing. I didn’t change the core structure — the mastermind itself has always been the foundation — but I refined who it was for, how they entered, and the standard we held.

I got clear that this space isn’t for everyone — and that’s by design. I started looking for women who are grateful, gracious, generous, serious about their business, flexible in how they grow, and willing to show up for others, not just themselves. I introduced a digital application process, added structured interviews, and became unapologetic about protecting the integrity of the room. Because the truth is, this only works when everyone in the circle is all in.

We also made the decision to stay online — not as a temporary fix, but as a strategic move that allowed for deeper consistency, broader reach, and more accessibility. And it worked. We went from one solid group of 12 to now four fully curated groups of 12 — and the results speak for themselves.

That season didn’t break the business. It refined it. It elevated it. It made us stronger than we’ve ever been.

And now, we’re preparing to double our impact in 2026 — with a goal of supporting 100 women through this work. That’s the vision, and it’s already in motion.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Hands down, my best source of new clients is my members at Connect For Success. The women in our community aren’t just participants — they’re advocates. They know the value of what we’re building and they refer other like-minded, growth-oriented women who are ready for it. We have a strong referral culture and a solid referral program, and that word-of-mouth connection has been the most consistent and aligned source of growth.

Beyond that, I focus on getting out into the community — San Diego, Orange County, and anywhere women are doing meaningful work. I believe in building relationships the old-school way: face-to-face, belly-to-belly. That’s how this business started, and that’s still where the magic happens.

Yes, we have a presence on social media, and that will continue to grow — but at the end of the day, this is a relationship-driven business. The best connections come from real conversations, not just algorithms.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://connectforsuccessmastermind.com
• Instagram: @connectforsuccessmastermind
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kara.danno.horat
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karahorat

Image Credits

Marcy Browe