Decoding: Thriving as Mums in Business
- (Admin) The Thrivology Company
- Sep 15, 2024
- 9 min read
Decoding Business Coaching for Ambitious Mums in Business: Carlene Nisbett on What to Really Expect – Beyond the Checklist to True Partnership & Flourishing Growth
Hello lovely! Let’s have a real chat, shall we? Cuppa in hand? Good. Because today, we’re diving into something that’s often shrouded in mystery, buzzwords, & sometimes, let’s be honest, a bit of confusion: business coaching. Specifically, what it really means for ambitious female entrepreneurs like you, especially when you’re juggling the beautiful chaos of motherhood alongside your empire-building.
If you’ve ever wondered, "What does a business coach actually do?" or "Is it just another expense, or a genuine investment in my growth?" – you’re in the right place. Honestly, as a About Carlene Nisbett / Femmeprenista Mission CEO, a mum to four (yes, four!), a PhD researcher knee-deep in the world of female entrepreneurship, & a business coach myself, I’ve seen this from all angles. I’ve been the one needing guidance, the one providing it, & the one studying what truly makes a difference for women in business.
So, let’s pull back the curtain & get to the heart of what transformative business coaching should look like – beyond the glossy brochures & into the real, gritty, & ultimately rewarding partnership.
First Things First: What Business Coaching Isn't (Let's Bust Some Myths!)
Before we get into the juicy good stuff, let’s clear the air about what quality business coaching isn’t. Because, let’s face it, there are a fair few misconceptions floating about, aren’t there?
It’s NOT just someone to:
Tick off your to-do list: A great coach isn’t your personal assistant or a taskmaster who just hands you a generic checklist. If only it were that simple!
Do the work for you: Oh, how we sometimes wish! But true empowerment comes from you building your skills & owning your journey. More on that later, because it’s a biggie for me.
Offer a magic wand: There are no overnight successes, despite what some corners of the internet might scream. Real, sustainable growth takes strategy, commitment, & consistent action.
Be a "yes" person: While support is crucial, a coach who only ever agrees with you isn't challenging you to grow. Constructive, honest feedback, delivered with care, is part of the package.
I remember when I was deep in my MBA at Cranfield, juggling a toddler, a demanding course load, & trying to envision my next career move. Honestly, I wasn’t looking for someone to tell me what to do; I was craving a thinking partner, someone to help me connect the dots of my ambition with a practical, fulfilling path. And let's be honest, sometimes I felt like I was drowning, especially when my toddler decided my meticulously prepared presentation notes were best used as the canvas for her latest crayon masterpiece! I’m talking every page covered in an explosion of purple and green swirls, like a toddler Jackson Pollock had been at work! It's those real moments of "beautiful chaos" that a great coach just gets. That, in essence, is what a true coach offers.
The Real Deal: Coaching as a Strategic Partnership
So, if it’s not about checklists & magic wands, what is it about? At its heart, exceptional business coaching for women, especially for us mums navigating the whirlwind, is about a strategic partnership. A strategic partnership with someone who understands business and the juggle.
Think of your coach as:
Your Strategic Co-pilot: They help you look at the bigger picture, define (or refine) your vision, & then map out the route to get there. It’s about co-creating a strategy that’s not just smart, but also deeply aligned with your values, your life (kids, dogs (Espresso probably barking at the postman!), school runs, & all!), & your version of success.
Your Accountability Anchor: Let’s be real, lovely. As entrepreneurs, especially when we're the main captain of our ship, it can be easy for things to slide. A great coach is there to provide that gentle (or sometimes firm!) nudge, helping you stay on track with the commitments you’ve made to yourself & your business. They help you build & maintain that crucial Flow & momentum.
Your Mindset Mentor: So much of entrepreneurial success is an inside game. A coach walks with you to uncover limiting beliefs (we all have them!), build unshakeable confidence, & cultivate the resilience needed for this rollercoaster journey. They’re the person who sees your potential even when you’re doubting yourself. I’ve seen it time & time again, both in my own journey & with my clients – a shift in mindset can unlock doors you didn’t even realise were closed.
It’s about having someone in your corner who truly gets the ambition, the drive, & yes, the "beautiful chaos" that comes with being a mum in business. Someone who understands that your business strategy needs to accommodate school pick-ups, sick days, & the glorious, unpredictable nature of family life, not the other way around. I often think back to trying to get ready for a big presentation when one of my little ones decided my notes were a fantastic new art project – it’s those moments that ground our strategies in reality!
Beyond the Bottom Line: A Holistic Approach to Flourishing Growth
One of the biggest shifts I’ve seen in effective business coaching for female entrepreneurs is the move towards a truly holistic approach. Because you, my dear, are not just a business owner. You’re a whole person, & your business is just one part of your rich, multifaceted life. A 2021 study published in the Journal of Business Venturing found that entrepreneurs who prioritize well-being experience significantly higher levels of success & sustainability in their businesses.
Here at Femmeprenista, this holistic view is baked into everything we do, particularly our The Business Flourish Framework Explained. Impactful coaching, from my perspective, needs to integrate:
Strategic Business Development: Absolutely. We need solid plans, marketing that resonates, & offers that convert. This is about building that authentic brand expression that makes you magnetic to your ideal clients. It’s about understanding how to communicate your unique value in a way that feels good & gets results. Business coaching helps you define those strategies.
Prioritising Your Well-being: This is non-negotiable. You cannot pour from an empty cup, & "hustle culture" leading to burnout is not a badge of honour. A great coach helps you weave in practices that Fuel your energy, manage stress, & ensure your business energises rather than drains you. This is about sustainable success, not a sprint to a breakdown. This may mean time-blocking your schedule to include a yoga class, or perhaps it’s outsourcing tasks that drain you to free up time for family. I’ve learned this the hard way, juggling my PhD, four kids, & the business, often feeling completely overwhelmed despite my so-called "expertise." If I don’t consciously manage my energy, everything suffers. (For more on how Femmeprenista champions finding purpose, check out Femmeprenista Female Entrepreneur Support: Find Your Purpose).
Efficient Systems & Smart Operations: To truly thrive & avoid being bogged down in the day-to-day, you need systems that create ease & efficiency. This is where we talk about creating Flow in your business, perhaps leveraging smart AI tools to truly streamline your processes, automating what can be automated, & learning to delegate or ditch what’s no longer serving you. This frees you up for the visionary work, the client connections, & yes, even a bit more time for yourself & your family. Think about automating your client intake process so you are not manually sending contracts & invoices – or implementing a tool like Calendly so you no longer have to spend endless time emailing back and forth to schedule calls.
This holistic approach ensures that as your business grows, you grow alongside it – in confidence, in well-being, & in your capacity to lead a life you genuinely love.
The Power of YOU: Empowerment Through Personal Responsibility
Now, here’s a truth bomb, delivered with love: a coach can be the most incredible guide, strategist, & supporter in the world, but the ultimate power for your success lies with YOU. The ultimate power lies in your hands.
This is a cornerstone of my philosophy, something I believe with every fibre of my being, shaped by my own journey from feeling like a "replaceable cog" in corporate, to navigating the early days of entrepreneurship with my first venture, Nisbett & George, as a young mum, through my MBA, & now into my PhD research & leading Femmeprenista. There are always challenges, systemic or personal (& believe me, as a Black woman, a mother, a Millennial who feels we "got the bad end of the stick" with stagnant wages & rising costs, I’ve seen my share!), but our response to those challenges is what defines our trajectory.
A brilliant coach will:
Empower you with tools, knowledge, & new perspectives.
Challenge you to step outside your comfort zone.
Support you through the inevitable ups & downs.
But you are the one who needs to show up, do the work, implement the strategies, & take radical personal responsibility for your actions & outcomes. Your coach is a catalyst, a partner, but the magic truly happens when you commit to your own growth & take ownership of your path. It’s about working smart, being resilient, & knowing that even if your path is "slower" or looks different (like mine, juggling four kids & a PhD!), your progress is down to your consistent, owned effort. Business coaching for female entrepreneurs helps you do just that.
Finding Your Fit: What to Really Look For in a Business Coach
Okay, so you’re warming to the idea. You see the potential of a true coaching partnership. But how do you find the right business coach, especially one who understands the unique landscape of being an ambitious mum in business? A coach who understands the pressures you are already under?
Beyond the testimonials & the program outlines, look for:
Genuine Resonance & Alignment: Does their message speak to you on a deeper level? Do their values align with yours? You’ll be spending a lot of time with this person & sharing your vulnerabilities; a genuine connection is key. Can you have that "kitchen table chat" feeling with them, even when discussing hard truths?
Try This: Spend 15 minutes scrolling their social media feed. Do you feel energised and understood, or drained and confused? Do they make you laugh, or do you feel like you need a dictionary to understand their jargon?
Proven Expertise & Lived Experience: Look for someone who not only has the coaching credentials & business acumen (like an MBA, for instance!) but who also has walked a similar path or demonstrably understands your specific context. For mums in business, this means finding someone who "gets" the juggle, the guilt, the immense love, & the non-negotiable family commitments.
A Holistic Approach (If That’s What You Need): If you’re looking for more than just sales tactics, ensure their coaching philosophy addresses the whole you – mindset, well-being, systems, & the lot.
A Style That Empowers YOU: Do they foster independence & critical thinking, or do they create dependency? The goal is for you to become a more capable, confident leader in your own right.
Clarity on Their Process & What You Can Expect: A good coach will be transparent about how they work, what’s expected of you, & the kind of results their clients typically achieve.
This isn't about finding a carbon copy of yourself, but someone whose expertise, approach, & energy will best catalyse your unique flourishing.
So, What Can You Genuinely Expect from This Kind of Partnership?
When you find that right-fit business coach who operates as a true strategic partner, you can genuinely expect to experience:
Crystal Clarity: On your vision, your ideal client, your offers, & your unique path forward.
Actionable, Aligned Plans: Not just theories, but practical strategies tailored to your business & life.
Significant Mindset Shifts: Overcoming those pesky limiting beliefs & stepping into a more empowered, confident version of yourself.
Increased Confidence & Self-Belief: Feeling more capable, resilient, & excited about your business.
Sustainable Momentum & Growth: Seeing tangible progress without sacrificing your well-being or your family life.
A Sense of True Partnership: Feeling understood, supported, & genuinely championed.
It’s about moving beyond just surviving in your business to truly thriving, creating a business that not only fuels your bank account but also nourishes your soul & supports the life you want to live with your loved ones.
Decoding business coaching isn’t about finding a quick fix; it’s about understanding the profound potential of a transformative partnership. It’s about finding someone who can help you unlock your own brilliance & build a business that truly flourishes, on your terms.
Ready to explore what that kind of transformative partnership could look like for you & your business? If you’re a scaling leader ready to implement tailored strategies, attract premium clients, build smart systems, & master your mindset for sustainable growth, our Momentum Coaching Page might be the deeply supportive, strategic partnership you’ve been looking for.
If you're feeling like you want to connect with other ambitious female entrepreneurs who get it, that's what we're all about in the Femmeprenista community. It's a wonderfully supportive space for authentic networking & peer support.
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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