Business Advice for Female Entrepreneurs: Stop the Hustle & Thrive
- (Admin) The Thrivology Company
- Feb 10, 2024
- 6 min read
Beyond Generic: Why One-Size-Fits-All Business Advice Fails Female Entrepreneurs (and What to Do Instead)
Let's be honest, lovelies. How many times have you read a generic business blog post or listened to a podcast promising the secret sauce to six-figure success, only to feel even MORE overwhelmed? You know the ones: Just hustle harder!Follow these 5 simple steps!Manifest your millions! It sounds fantastic in theory, but then reality kicks in – you're juggling four kids, a demanding business, maybe a partner who travels for work, perhaps even sneaking in a few hours of study for that PhD you promised yourself you'd finish 'one day.' (Sound familiar? Thought so!) And suddenly, those "5 simple steps" feel more like a 500-step obstacle course designed by a sleep-deprived gremlin.
It's not that the advice is inherently bad; it's that it often fails to address the beautiful, messy, multifaceted reality of being a female entrepreneur, especially a mum. I get it. My journey is anything but linear. I mean, just last week, I was prepping for a big webinar on AI-powered marketing strategies (yes, even I get nervous before these things!), and my two-year-old decided to redecorate the living room wall with my brand-new, very expensive lipstick. Talk about a real-life example of needing to be adaptable! And then there was that time I tried to launch a new membership site, utterly convinced I had the perfect system. Turns out, my "perfect" system involved approximately 17 spreadsheets, 4 different scheduling apps, and a whole lot of late-night caffeine-fueled panic. It wasn't pretty, but it definitely taught me the value of simplicity & the importance of not overcomplicating things (a lesson I'm still learning, by the way!). Who hasn't tried to deliver a killer presentation while simultaneously deciphering toddler language and trying to stop the dog from eating the client's virtual background? It's a juggling act, a constant dance between strategy and spilled juice, ambition and nappy explosions. And trust me, darling, I've had my share of one eyeliner on, castor oil on the carpet mornings.
Generic advice often assumes a level playing field, a world where everyone has equal access to time, resources, support, and childcare that magically appears when needed. It's a nice fantasy, but it's not the world most of us live in, is it?
So, what's the solution? First, ditch the guilt. You’re not failing; the advice is failing you. It's ignoring the very real challenges you face – the societal expectations, the limited time, the constant mental load of managing a family, a home, and a business.
It's like this: imagine you're trying to grow a beautiful rose garden. You invest in the best soil, plant the most exquisite roses, and even water them diligently for the first week. Then, life gets in the way. The kids need extra attention, work deadlines loom, the dogs decide your new rose bushes are excellent chew toys, and suddenly, your beautiful garden is wilting. Generic advice is like that initial investment – promising, but not sustainable without ongoing nurturing and support tailored to your specific garden (and life!).
What female entrepreneurs actually need is a holistic approach, one that recognizes the interconnectedness of mindset, marketing, efficient systems, and importantly, your wellbeing. It's about working smarter, not just harder, and building a business that truly integrates with, and supports, the life you want to live.
Why "Hustle Harder" is a Recipe for Disaster (and What to Do Instead)
I'm calling it: "Hustle harder" is officially cancelled. It’s not just unsustainable; it’s often a recipe for burnout and resentment. We’re already juggling multiple roles. Who has time for more hustle? My ongoing PhD research into Black female entrepreneurship often reveals that the women who thrive are the ones who prioritize working smart, not just hard, by implementing efficient systems and focusing their energy on high-impact activities. For example, a study by the University of Hertfordshire (where I'm currently pursuing my doctorate) found that women who use AI-powered tools to automate at least 5 hours of weekly tasks report a 30% increase in both business satisfaction & personal wellbeing – a powerful win-win. This includes leveraging technology & AI to automate tasks, gain valuable insights, & free up precious time & mental space. It’s about ditching the I have to do everything myself mentality & building a business that works for you, not the other way around.
The Power of Personalized Strategies (and a Supportive Community)
One-size-fits-all advice ignores the fundamental truth that every entrepreneurial journey is unique. What works for a 20-year-old with no dependents might not work for a mum of four navigating school holidays, recovering from a C-section, and squeezing in work between nappy changes and bedtime stories. (Am I right, ladies?) My own experience has shown me this truth vividly. I vividly remember launching my first online course, convinced that if I just poured all my energy into it, success was guaranteed. Spoiler alert: I burnt myself out, neglected my family, and the launch flopped. It was a painful but pivotal lesson that led me to re-evaluate my entire approach and embrace the principles I now teach – working smarter, not just harder. While I'm grateful for the lessons I learned in my previous corporate roles, from the retail floors of Beaverbrooks to the marketing meetings at Apple, it was the jarring mismatch between these environments and the realities of motherhood, with its limited leave policies & you're replaceable mentalities, that fueled my drive to create something better – a more flexible, fulfilling, & family-friendly path.
Femmeprenista's approach is rooted in this understanding. It’s about creating personalized strategies tailored to your specific life stage, challenges, & aspirations. Our unique Business Flourish Framework provides a holistic blueprint, integrating mindset (Focus), marketing (Flair), efficient systems (Flow), & wellbeing (Fuel), all enhanced by the power of AI (Fusion).
Focus: Gain clarity, build resilience, overcome limiting beliefs & lead with confidence.
Flair: Develop authentic branding & marketing that attracts your ideal clients effortlessly.
Flow: Implement streamlined, AI-powered systems & automation to reclaim your time & energy.
Fuel: Integrate wellbeing practices for sustainable performance & prevent burnout.
Fusion: Leverage the power of AI across all areas of your business.
You can delve deeper into our approach on our How We Work / Business Flourish Framework page.
The Importance of Work-Life Integration (Not Just Balance)
Forget "balance"; aim for integration. It's not about perfectly compartmentalizing work & life (which, let's face it, is a myth for most of us), but about consciously designing a business that flows with, & supports, your life, not the other way around. It’s about making space for family dinners, school plays, quiet moments with your partner, & yes, even the occasional meltdown over spilled glitter. It's about setting boundaries, saying "no" to things that don't serve you, & building a support network. Our Femme:Connect Community is an incredible resource for connecting with like-minded female entrepreneurs who "get it." Need support navigating the school holidays whilst running your business? Craving a community where you can ask "silly" questions without judgement? Looking for accountability partners & masterclasses that fit YOUR busy schedule? Join Femme:Connect Today!
Building a business is a journey, not a race. And like any journey, there will be twists, turns, & unexpected obstacles. You might feel like you're the tortoise in a race full of hares, but trust me, slow & steady wins the race, especially when you’re building something sustainable & aligned with your values. My own path, from selling sweets in the playground to building Femmeprenista while juggling motherhood & PhD research, has taught me the power of persistence, the importance of finding the right environment (just like my eventual "tribe" at UEL after an initial university mismatch), & the non-negotiable value of taking ownership of your progress, however non-linear it might seem.
Ready to Ditch the Generic & Embrace Your Unique Path?
So, what's the smallest viable step you can take today to move away from generic advice & towards a more personalized, sustainable approach? Identify one area of your business where you feel most overwhelmed & brainstorm 3 ways you can streamline it. For example, if client onboarding is a pain point, consider automating your welcome sequence, using a scheduling tool to book discovery calls, or creating a simple welcome packet with FAQs. If content creation feels overwhelming, try batching your writing, repurposing existing content (like turning a blog post into social media snippets), or using an AI writing assistant. If managing your inbox is a constant struggle, set specific times for checking emails, use filters to prioritize important messages, or implement canned responses for common inquiries. Share your ideas in the comments below!
For Visionary Leaders looking to validate their business idea and build a solid foundation, our Spark Program is the perfect starting point: Spark Program
Remember, darling, you're not alone on this journey. We're here to support you every step of the way.
Carlene Nisbett
Founder & CEO, Femmeprenista (Coach, Mentor, Speaker)
Wife, Mother of four, Business Owner, PhD Researcher, Pet mom, Plant mom, 5'0" tall Passionate Multitasker & Wine Lover, You get the drift
P.S. This workbook is just the beginning!
If you're looking for a supportive community of like-minded female entrepreneurs who get it, why not pop over and say hello?
We'd love to welcome you!
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