Business Coaching for Female Entrepreneurs: Is It Right for YOU?

Beyond the Buzzword: A CEO Mum's No-Nonsense Guide to What Business Coaching Truly Is (and What It Absolutely Isn't) for Driven Female Entrepreneurs

Alright, let’s have a cuppa and a real chat, shall we? As a fellow entrepreneur – & a mum of four juggling a PhD, a lively household complete with two Miniature Pinschers (one chilled, one permanently attached to the ceiling, you know the drill!) & well, all the things – I’ve heard the term “business coaching” thrown around more times than I’ve reheated my morning coffee. It’s become one of those buzzwords, hasn’t it? Right up there with “pivot” & “synergy.”

But here’s the thing: when it’s the right kind of coaching, it’s not just fluff. It’s rocket fuel. And when it’s misunderstood? Well, that’s when disappointment & frustration creep in, & frankly, who has time for that?

I remember when I was deep in the trenches with one of my earlier ventures, feeling like I was wading through treacle. I had plenty of people telling me what to do or sharing their success stories. And while some of it was helpful, a lot of it just added to the noise. What I truly craved back then, & what I see so many brilliant women entrepreneurs needing now, isn't another instruction manual. It’s a thought partner, a strategic sounding board, someone to help you unlock the wisdom you already have.

So, let’s cut through the noise. What is business coaching, really? & just as importantly, what is it absolutely not?

So, What’s the Real Deal with Business Coaching?

At its heart, genuine business coaching is a strategic partnership. Think of a great coach not as someone who has all the answers for your business, but as someone incredibly skilled at helping you find them. It’s about empowering you, the entrepreneur, to develop critical thinking, sharpen your focus, & take radical personal responsibility for building a business that’s not just profitable, but deeply aligned with your vision & values.

Imagine trying to navigate a complex maze. A great coach doesn’t just shout directions from the sidelines or hand you a map someone else drew. Instead, they walk alongside you, asking powerful questions that help you see the patterns, identify the dead ends you keep hitting, & ultimately, chart your own best path through. They help you to look at the whole picture, ensuring your business strategy considers your energy, your well-being, & how all the pieces fit together to create a sustainable, fulfilling venture. I remember a point, juggling everything, feeling utterly swamped, thinking "I don't even know where to start." Coaching helped me untangle the overwhelm & see a clear path forward, a vital gift. This holistic approach is something we champion here at Femmeprenista, & it's woven into the very fabric of how we support female entrepreneurs to truly flourish. You can learn more about Femmeprenista's approach to empowering female entrepreneurs here.

Here’s what true business coaching IS all about:

• Empowerment & Agency: It’s designed to put you firmly in the driver’s seat. A coach helps you tap into your own strengths, intuition, & expertise. My own journey, especially through my MBA at Cranfield & now my PhD research into Black female entrepreneurship, has taught me that while external challenges are real, our agency & how we respond are paramount. Coaching champions this.

• Clarity & Focus: Feeling overwhelmed? Like you’re spinning a dozen plates & about to drop them all? (Honestly, some days just getting everyone out the door with matching shoes feels like a win, never mind scaling a business!)A coach helps you cut through the clutter.They help you define what truly matters.They help you set clear, actionable goals. This clarity is the bedrock of confident decision-making.

• Strategic Thinking & Problem-Solving: Instead of giving you solutions, a coach helps you develop the skills to find your own. They’ll challenge your assumptions, encourage you to think differently, & support you in creating robust strategies. It’s about learning how to fish, not just being given a fish.

• Accountability & Action: We all have brilliant ideas. But ideas without action are just dreams. A coach provides a supportive accountability structure to help you stay on track, follow through on your commitments, & build momentum. This is where the real magic happens.

• Mindset Mastery: This is HUGE. So much of entrepreneurial success is an inside game. A coach helps you:
  

  • Identify & shift limiting beliefs (we all have them!).

  • Like thinking, "I'm not good enough to charge premium prices" or "I don't deserve success."

  • They might ask, "What evidence supports that belief?" or "What would you do if you KNEW you couldn't fail?"

  • Ultimately, they help you build unshakeable confidence.

  • They help you cultivate the resilient CEO mindset needed to navigate the inevitable ups & downs of business. It's about understanding that your mindset shapes your reality.

• Sustainable Systems & Growth: For those of you who are past the initial launch phase & are looking to scale, if you’re a Scaling Leader, the right coaching helps you build the sustainable systems & strategies to grow without burning out. This might involve streamlining processes, perhaps even exploring how smart AI tools like Bardeen can enhance efficiency, so you can reclaim your time & energy.

And Now for the Reality Check: What Business Coaching ISN’T

This is just as crucial to understand, because mismatched expectations are a recipe for disappointment. And trust me, I know about mismatched expectations. I remember once investing in a "done for you" coaching program that promised the world but delivered… well, not much. I ended up feeling more lost & frustrated than before, & it taught me a vital lesson: the right coach empowers you, not just does things for you.

• It's NOT Consulting: A consultant is typically hired for their specific expertise to provide answers, deliver a specific solution, or do a particular task for you (e.g., write your marketing plan, set up your tech). A coach, on the other hand, empowers you to develop the plan & the skills. They guide, you do.

• It's NOT Therapy: While coaching can be incredibly therapeutic & often delves into mindset, it’s not a substitute for professional mental health support. Therapy often focuses on healing the past & understanding emotional patterns. Coaching is future-focused, action-oriented, & centred on achieving specific business goals. If deeper emotional or psychological issues are present, a therapist is the right port of call.

• It's NOT Mentorship (Exactly): A mentor is usually someone who has walked a similar path & shares their direct experiences, advice, & network. While some coaches may have mentoring elements, pure coaching is less about the coach’s story & more about helping you write yours. A mentor might say, "Here's what I did." A coach will ask, "What options do you see?"

• It's NOT a Magic Wand or Quick Fix: Oh, if only! Building a successful, sustainable business takes time, effort, & resilience. A coach is a powerful ally & accelerator, but they can’t wave a magic wand and make challenges disappear overnight. You still have to do the work. As I always say, my journey is slower because I have four kids & I'm doing a PhD, but "if I don't get there, that's my fault." Personal responsibility is key.

• It's NOT Someone to Do the Work For You: This is a big one. Your coach is your strategic partner, your guide, your accountability champion. They are not an extra pair of hands to outsource your to-do list to. The "doing" still rests with you.

• It's NOT a Passive Experience: You can't just show up to coaching sessions & expect osmosis to kick in. The more you put in – your honesty, your willingness to be challenged, your commitment to action – the more you will get out.

Who Can Benefit Most? (Hint: Probably You!)

Honestly, driven female entrepreneurs at almost any stage can benefit immensely from the right kind of coaching.

• If you’re a Foundation Builder: Perhaps you’re brimming with ideas but struggling with clarity, or you’ve just launched & need to define your niche & attract those first crucial clients. Coaching can help you validate your vision, build a rock-solid foundation, & overcome those early-stage wobbles & imposter syndrome. (If this sounds like you, getting support to clarify your idea & build a foundational plan through our Link to: Spark Program can be a game-changer).

• If you’re a Scaling Leader: You’ve got traction, you’re making money, but now you’re facing new challenges – perhaps you’re hitting an income ceiling, feeling overwhelmed by the complexity, or unsure how to scale sustainably without burning the candle at both ends & in the middle. Coaching can help you develop advanced strategies, implement efficient systems, & step fully into your CEO role.

Even with all the success I've had, I still find that carving out space for strategic thinking is a constant challenge. The truth is, even the most successful entrepreneurs benefit from having that dedicated space to think strategically, be challenged, & stay accountable. It’s not a sign of weakness; it’s a mark of wisdom. It’s about investing in your greatest asset: YOU.

Finding the Right Coaching Fit

Understanding what coaching truly is (& isn’t) is the vital first step. The next is finding a coach & a coaching approach that resonates deeply with you & your business. It’s about finding a partnership that feels empowering & aligned with your values.

At Femmeprenista, our coaching is deeply rooted in our Business Flourish Framework, which integrates Focus (mindset & vision), Flair (authentic marketing), Flow (smart systems & momentum), Fuel (well-being & energy), & Fusion (strategic AI integration) to ensure comprehensive, holistic growth. We believe that your business should support your life, not the other way around. You can explore more about how our coaching is grounded in the Business Flourish Framework here.

The right coaching relationship can be one of the most transformative investments you make in your entrepreneurial journey. It’s about finding someone who doesn’t just cheer you on, but who truly helps you unlock your own innate brilliance, build resilience, & create a business that not only thrives financially but also nourishes your soul.

So, tell me, what’s been your biggest aha-moment about business coaching? Or what questions do you still have? Pop them in the comments below – I’d love to hear from you!

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!

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