Coaching for Female Entrepreneurs: Unlock Your Success!
- (Admin) The Thrivology Company
- Feb 12, 2024
- 8 min read
Beyond the Buzzwords: How Coaching Actually Fuels Your Success as a Female Entrepreneur (Especially If You're a Mum!)
Ever feel like you’re pedalling like mad on your entrepreneurial bike, but the scenery isn’t changing quite as fast as you’d like? You’ve probably got all these brilliant ideas swirling – a bit like that glitter my two-year-old somehow managed to embed in the sofa last week (parenting, eh?). You're not alone, I get it!
You’ve probably heard ‘coaching’ tossed around as the magic elixir for ambitious female entrepreneurs. But what IS it, really? Is it just someone telling you what to do? Or worse, another expense on an already stretched budget when you’re trying to make every penny count?
Let’s have a cuppa & a real chat about it, shall we? Because from where I’m standing – as a business owner, a PhD researcher, & a mum to four amazing, energetic children (plus two equally characterful Min Pins, Cappuccino & Espresso, who add their own special spice to the beautiful chaos!) – I believe authentic coaching is one of the most powerful investments you can make. But only if you understand what it truly is, & what it isn't.
First Things First: What Coaching Isn't
Before we dive into the good stuff, let’s clear up a few common muddles, because I know there's a lot of confusing info out there.
It’s not therapy: While good coaching can feel incredibly therapeutic – that wonderful feeling of being truly heard, understood, & gaining clarity is priceless – a coach’s primary focus is on your future. We’re looking at your goals, your aspirations, & the concrete actions you can take to get there. Therapy, on the other hand, typically focuses more on exploring past experiences to heal emotional wounds & understand patterns. Both are incredibly valuable, but they serve different purposes.
It’s not (just) mentorship: Mentorship often involves a seasoned expert sharing their direct experience & advice from their own specific path. While a coach might share relevant experiences, their main role isn't to give you their answers, but to help you uncover yours. As I often say, "I don't just dig the hole ; I actually question 'Is this the best way of doing things?'"
It’s not a magic wand (sadly!): As much as we might wish for one on those days when the kids have decided your important Zoom call is the perfect time for a theatrical reenactment of a superhero battle, a coach isn’t there to wave a wand & make all your challenges disappear.
So, if it’s not those things, what on earth is it?
The Real Deal: What Authentic Coaching Truly Is
Authentic coaching, the kind we champion here at Femmeprenista, is something far more dynamic & empowering. Think of it as a powerful partnership, a dedicated, confidential space where you are the absolute focus. It's about:
Catalysing YOUR Action: It’s designed to get you moving, to bridge the gap between knowing what you could do & actually doing it. It’s about taking smart, intentional steps forward.
Fostering Deep Personal Ownership: This is huge. A coach helps you see that your response to challenges & the strategic actions you take are what truly shape your outcomes. It’s about owning your journey, your decisions, & your power. As I always say, if I don't get there, that's my fault.
Unlocking YOUR Unique Potential: It’s about helping you find your voice, that strong, clear inner wisdom that sometimes gets drowned out by the noise of expectation, self-doubt, or just the sheer volume of daily life. I know what it’s like to feel silenced, or to have to fight to be heard – I vividly remember my own dad having to fiercely advocate for me in school when teachers were essentially telling me to shut up & sit down. That fire to help other women find & use their unique voice is a huge part of why I do what I do.
Developing Strategic Thinking: A great coach doesn't just give you answers; they ask powerful, thought-provoking questions that unlock your own insights. They help you zoom out, see the bigger picture, & develop the strategic muscle to navigate challenges effectively. This is about sharpening your focus & building resilience.
Building Rock-Solid Accountability: Let’s be honest, it’s easy to let ourselves off the hook. A coach is your accountability partner, your champion, & sometimes, the person who lovingly (but firmly!) calls you on your own BS when you’re playing small or getting stuck in unhelpful patterns.
My own journey to becoming a certified coach was a deep dive into self-discovery, undertaken while pregnant with my third daughter. It took longer than planned, amidst the beautiful chaos of family life, but the process itself was transformative. It taught me so much about the layers we all have, the power of skilled questioning, & the incredible capacity within each of us to find our own answers when given the right support & space. It’s about embodying that transformation to help others on theirs.
To understand how this empowering approach to coaching is part of a broader supportive environment designed for female entrepreneurs like you, explore Femmeprenista Female Entrepreneur Support.
The Power of Partnership: How Coaching Fuels Growth
So, how does this partnership actually translate into tangible results for your business & your life?
Cutting Through the Noise for Crystal Clarity
Ever try to write a killer marketing plan while simultaneously mediating a sibling squabble over whose turn it is with the 'good' felt tips, & Espresso, our hyperactive Min Pin, is doing zoomies around your ankles, convinced she's helping you brainstorm by 'testing' the structural integrity of your laptop stand?
It’s easy to fall into the trap of being busy, busy, busy, but not necessarily productive. Coaching can be that calm port in the storm, helping you carve out the mental space to think clearly, define your vision, & gain profound clarity on your next best steps, even when life is throwing everything at you.
From Busy Bee to Strategic Queen Bee
Coaching helps you shift from just ‘doing all the things’ to focusing on the right things – those smart, strategic actions that will actually move the needle towards your biggest goals. It's about working smarter, not just harder, a philosophy I had to really embrace during my MBA at Cranfield with a baby at home, & now with my PhD & four little ones!
Remember, as Jim Rohn said, "Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day."
Building Unstoppable Momentum
That accountability piece? It’s golden. Knowing you have someone in your corner, checking in, celebrating your wins (no matter how small!), & helping you navigate obstacles keeps you moving forward. It breaks the cycle of procrastination & helps you build consistent, sustainable momentum.
Mastering Your Inner Game
So much of entrepreneurial success comes down to what’s happening between your ears. Coaching provides a safe space to tackle those pesky limiting beliefs, that nagging imposter syndrome, or the fear of visibility that can hold you back.
Here's how to master your inner game:
Challenge the thought: When a limiting belief pops up (e.g., "I'm not good enough"), actively question its validity. Ask yourself, "Is this actually true? What's the evidence?".
Reframe the narrative: Turn the negative thought into a positive affirmation. Instead of "I'm going to fail," try "I'm learning & growing with each step."
Seek evidence of success: Remind yourself of past accomplishments & strengths. Keep a "win" journal to track your progress & build confidence.
It helps you build unshakeable confidence & step into your power as the leader you are. Sound familiar? Life as an ambitious mum & entrepreneur is FULL.
Juggler's Shortcut: Try using a time management template like the one in our Femme:Connect group to help you prioritize your inner game work.
The Femmeprenista Way: Coaching That Gets YOUR Whole Life
Here at Femmeprenista, we don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach, & we certainly don’t believe your business exists in a vacuum. As women, as mothers, as multifaceted individuals, our lives are rich & interconnected. That’s why our coaching is holistic, designed to support you in building a business that not only thrives financially but also genuinely aligns with your life, your values, & your unique entrepreneurial stage – all without leading to burnout.
Our coaching methodology is deeply rooted in the How We Work / Business Flourish Framework, a holistic blueprint for building a thriving business and a fulfilling life. In short, the Business Flourish Framework includes:
Focus: Sharpening your mindset, defining that bold vision, building unshakeable resilience, & leading with authentic confidence.
Flair: Developing your magnetic brand & marketing that feels amazing, connects deeply, & attracts your dream clients without you having to compromise who you are.
Flow: Creating smart, streamlined systems (goodbye, overwhelm!) & efficient workflows that give you back your precious time & energy. This includes leveraging practical AI tools to truly streamline your processes.
Fuel: Prioritising your well-being – your energy, your health, your joy – so you have the vitality to sustain your success & truly enjoy the incredible journey you’re on.
Fusion: Woven through all of these pillars is Fusion, our strategic way of integrating practical AI solutions to amplify your efforts, enhance your creativity, & help you work smarter, not harder, across every area of your business.
Whether you're a Foundation Builder wrestling with validating your brilliant idea & finding those first crucial clients, a Scaling Leader ready to build robust systems & perhaps grow your team sustainably, or a Visionary Leader aiming for exponential impact & legacy, the right coaching partnership meets you where you are & helps you forge the path ahead with clarity & confidence.
Is Coaching a Cost or a Strategic Investment?
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: money. It’s easy to see coaching as just another expense. But I truly believe that’s a limiting perspective. When you find the right coach & approach, it’s one of the most powerful strategic investments you can make – an investment in yourself, your business, & your future.
Think about it:
What’s the value of finally getting crystal clear on your niche & offer, so you stop wasting time & energy on things that don’t work?
What’s the ROI on overcoming the mindset blocks that have been keeping you stuck at a certain income level for months, or even years? (I once had a client unlock a 20% revenue increase within 3 months by overcoming her fear of raising her prices!)
How much is it worth to reclaim hours in your week through smarter systems & strategies, so you can be more present with your family or simply have time to breathe?
What’s the impact of having an expert thinking partner who helps you avoid costly mistakes & accelerate your growth?
The return isn't just financial; it’s in your confidence, your clarity, your time, your well-being, & your ability to create the impact you dream of. It's an investment in your agency – your power to shape your own success story.
Ready to Explore a True Partnership?
If you’ve been on the fence about business coaching for female entrepreneurs, I hope this has given you a clearer picture of what authentic, empowering coaching can look like. It’s not about finding someone to give you all the answers. It’s about finding a partner who will help you unlock the incredible answers, strategies, & strengths that are already within you.
It’s about fostering that deep sense of personal responsibility, knowing that even when the path is winding (and let’s be honest, with kids & a business, it’s often more like a rollercoaster!), you have the power to navigate it, learn from it, & ultimately, thrive.
Actually, just after finishing my PhD I was struggling to juggle everything! The kids were all wanting my attention, the business needed some serious love, & I was starting to feel like I was running on fumes. It was only when I truly systemised my time, using AI to automate the tedious tasks, that I started seeing movement forward.
If you're ready to explore how a strategic coaching partnership could transform your entrepreneurial journey & help you build a business that truly flourishes alongside your life, I invite you to explore our signature 6-month 1:1 coaching accelerator, Explore Momentum Coaching.
& if you're looking for a supportive community to start exploring these ideas & connect with other ambitious female entrepreneurs, do join us in our free global community, Femme:Connect Community Page. It’s a wonderful space to share, learn, & grow together.
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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