Failure Feedback for Femmeprenistas: Turn Setbacks into Success

From Setback to Success: How "No Failure, Only Feedback" Fuels Femmeprenista (and YOU!)

Hey lovely ladies,

Ever feel like you’re walking a tightrope, balancing a million things – kids, partner, business, that never-ending to-do list that seems to regenerate faster than a hydra? And then, just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, BAM! You trip. A launch flops, a client ghosts, you discover the school-aged one decided to recreate Jackson Pollock in the living room using your most expensive foundation as the medium. Sound familiar? It's the kind of organised chaos that inspired the whole ethos of Femmeprenista, because let's be honest, who hasn't been there?

It’s in these moments, when the dust settles & the crisis is averted (usually with a glass of wine & a hefty dose of humour – seriously, what else can you do?), that your mindset – that core, unshakeable Focus – becomes your superpower. This isn't just some woo-woo affirmation, this is a strategic business decision. Why? Because your mindset informs your marketing Flair, it fuels your systems Flow, and it absolutely impacts your capacity to Fuel yourself sustainably. & one of the most powerful tools I’ve found, both in my own crazy journey & in guiding countless women just like you, is this simple yet profound NLP principle: "There is no failure, only feedback." (Sue Knight knew what she was talking about!)

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Easy for you to say, Carlene! You’ve built a successful business, you’re doing your PhD, you're juggling four kids, a partner, two energetic Miniature Pinschers – Cappuccino & Espresso, my furry little reminders that even in the midst of business building, life still happens – & let's be honest, most days it feels like my brain is operating on about 3% battery power. How can I possibly 'have it all together'?" Truth be told, before this principle became my bedrock, I struggled with it big time. I mean, really struggled. There were tears, there was chocolate, there was a serious questioning of my sanity (and entrepreneurial capabilities). It took time, and a lot of messy, imperfect practice, to truly embody this. So if it feels hard, you're not alone.

My path, just like yours, has been anything but a straight line. It’s been more of a jungle gym – climbing, swinging, occasionally face-planting into the soft play (metaphorically, of course!), but always, always getting back up. & trust me, there have been enough "toddler decided to finger paint the walls with yogurt" moments to fill several seasons of a reality TV show (though I suspect mine would be more "tragicomedy" than "glamorous"). Like that time I was trying to have a serious business conversation with my personal workaholic, while also attempting to stop our toddler from using the dog’s water bowl as a hat. Let’s just say it wasn’t my most “CEO of Femmeprenista” moment. It definitely tested my Resilience: Thriving in Entrepreneurship's Beautiful Chaos.

This journey, this rollercoaster of entrepreneurship & motherhood – it’s where the "no failure, only feedback" mindset, the cornerstone of true Focus, becomes your lifeline. It's about reframing those perceived "setbacks" – that product launch that went down faster than my toddler daughter’s blood sugar after a sugar rush, the client who vanished without a trace (taking your carefully crafted proposal with them!), even that ill-fated attempt at a “working film night” with my partner that ended with us both falling asleep with our laptops balanced precariously on our chests – as valuable data points. Each "oops" is a lesson in disguise. Each stumble is a step forward, even if it feels like a step backward in the moment. As my PhD research into Black female entrepreneurship often highlights, resilience is not just about bouncing back; it's about learning from the bounce. It's about taking ownership of your growth, applying smart action, building the right Flow with efficient systems (even AI-powered ones!), and ensuring you're properly Fueled for the journey.

Let me share a quick story. Picture this: me, about eight months pregnant with my third daughter, trying to finish my coaching certification, while simultaneously managing a full-time corporate gig (remember feeling like a “replaceable cog?” Yeah, that was peak “cog” era), & the eldest, bless her teenage heart, navigating the hormonal roller coaster of early adolescence. Let’s just say "calm" and "organized" were not words frequently used to describe our household at that time. My certification took longer than planned, because, well, life. But that "delay," that perceived "setback" to stick to my initial timeline, taught me something incredibly valuable: it's okay for a journey to look different. It's okay to be the tortoise, not the hare, as long as you keep moving. As long as you own your pace & celebrate those small, consistent steps forward. That experience, in hindsight, was essential feedback, a reminder that progress isn't linear, especially when you're juggling so many roles. It strengthened my resolve to help other women, especially Foundation Builders at the beginning of their journey, navigate their unique paths, celebrating the "slower" but no less valid journeys.

How to Practically Apply "No Failure, Only Feedback"

So, how do you practically apply this magical "no failure, only feedback" mindset in your own life & business? Here are a few juggler-approved strategies that have helped me (and countless other women) turn setbacks into stepping stones:

• The Post-Mortem Power-Up: After any setback, big or small (from a website crash to a disastrous attempt at baking a birthday cake that resembled a geological formation more than a dessert), schedule a "post-mortem" with yourself (and maybe a trusted friend, business bestie, or even your furry companion – Cappuccino is a surprisingly good listener, though Espresso tends to offer solutions involving chewing on whatever’s closest). Don't dwell on the negative emotions (though a little vent session is perfectly acceptable – we're human, after all!). Instead, ask empowering questions: "What worked? What didn't? What would I do differently next time? Where did I twist my ankle, metaphorically? What limiting belief might have been at play here? How could I reframe this situation for a better outcome next time?" For instance, when my "Perfectly Planned Productivity System" crashed and burned (turns out, toddlers and rigid schedules don’t always mix!), my post-mortem revealed I needed more flexibility built into the Flow. This transforms disappointment into a strategic planning session, a chance to gather valuable intel for your next move. It truly embodies Sue Knight's idea from NLP, where "there is no failure, only feedback," & reminds us that we are always learning, always evolving. Download our free "Post-Mortem Power-Up" worksheet link to free lead magnet to guide your reflection.

• The "Clean Curiosity" Conversation: When something doesn’t go as planned (like that time my toddler decided to use her potty training progress as an opportunity to redecorate the bathroom walls), resist the urge to blame yourself, the system, or the universe. Instead, get genuinely curious, like a detective searching for clues. Ask yourself: "What's the feedback here? What am I meant to learn from this slightly-less-than-ideal situation? Where can I optimize this system to make life easier? How can I bring more Flair and Flow to this situation?" I remember feeling completely defeated when a collaboration I’d poured my heart into fell apart. Clean curiosity led me to realize it wasn’t the right fit, the timing was off, and it freed me up for something even better, strengthening my Focus instead of letting it crumble. Inspired by Adrienne Weriner, this "clean curiosity" keeps you in a solution-oriented mindset, prevents you from getting stuck in a cycle of self-criticism ("Why am I such an idiot?!" – we’ve all been there!), and reminds you that you & resourceful & capable of finding a way forward. It’s about asking, "Why have I used that word (setback)? What does that really mean to me?" to uncover the deeper mindset blocks that might be holding you back. Access our free guide, "Asking the Right Questions" link to a lead magnet, e.g., a checklist of clean curiosity questions, ideally tied to a specific program, for more empowering questions.

• The Small Wins Celebration (Femmeprenista Edition): This is crucial, especially when you’re juggling all the things & feeling like you’re running a marathon in quicksand. Celebrate every single win, no matter how "small." Did you finally launch that email sequence you’ve been procrastinating on? Did you secure a new client even though your furry office assistant (Espresso, I'm looking at you!) decided to join your Zoom call uninvited? Did you respond to that client email without sounding like you were fuelled by caffeine & desperation? Did you manage to create an entire week's social media content calendar and integrate it with your scheduling system for seamless Flow? Did you successfully delegate a tricky task to your VA, freeing up an hour of precious “me time” or even just time to actually, you know, work on your business, not just in it? For instance, yesterday I managed to finish a chapter of my PhD and get the school-aged one to their ballet class on time, all while Espresso only managed to chew on one shoe. Small win? Absolutely! Celebrate it! These small victories build momentum, reinforce your resilience, & keep you energized on this amazing, messy, beautiful journey. As Jim Rohn wisely said, "Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day.” Grab our free "Small Wins Tracker" link to another lead magnet – a printable or digital tracker and start noticing your daily progress.

• Finding Your Support Squad: Entrepreneurship can feel like a solo mission, especially when you're surrounded by well-meaning friends & family who just don’t "get" the unique challenges (and joys!) of building a business while also navigating the beautiful chaos of family life. Connect with other women who do "get it" – the mums juggling kids & careers, the business owners who understand the "caster oil on the carpet" realities, the dreamers daring to create something extraordinary. Sharing your struggles & celebrating your wins with a supportive community makes a world of difference. For example, after my fourth c-section, I felt so isolated and overwhelmed trying to juggle a newborn, a toddler, my PhD, and the business. Connecting with other mum-entrepreneurs in Femme Connect was a lifeline – just knowing I wasn’t alone made all the difference. Need a place to connect? Come join our free global community, Femme Connect, for a dose of peer support, inspiration, “been there” camaraderie, masterclasses on topics like client attraction that fit into your busy schedule, practical templates that save you precious time, tech tips without the jargon, & a supportive network of women navigating the "12-13 weeks of school holidays" reality – because, let's be honest, solidarity is everything when it comes to tackling the summer break (or any break, for that matter!).

Join Femme:Connect Today

This "no failure, only feedback" mindset, combined with a strong sense of personal responsibility & taking smart action (yes, even when the system feels like it’s actively working against you – which, let’s face it, is a relatable millennial experience – more on that another time!), is the bedrock of building unshakeable resilience. It’s about owning your progress, one imperfect, messy, beautiful step at a time, celebrating the windy path, & remembering that every experience, even the ones that make you want to hide under the duvet with a family-sized bag of chocolate chips, is shaping you into the powerful entrepreneur you’re meant to be. Isn't that what true Fuel is all about? Sustaining yourself, not just your business, for the long haul.

Building that resilience, that unwavering belief in yourself & your capacity to overcome any obstacle (big or small, from a global pandemic to a puppy who mistakes your new shoes for a chew toy), speaks to our core value of Action at Femmeprenista. It's about building unshakeable confidence & stepping into your power as a leader, a visionary, a force of nature in your own right. As Michelle Obama, a true embodiment of empowered feminine leadership, once said, "We need to do a better job of putting ourselves higher on our own ‘to do’ list."

What’s one small, smart step you can take today to shift your mindset, embrace the power of feedback, and turn those "setbacks" into fuel for your dreams? Share it below! Let’s inspire & support each other on this incredible journey.

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?

Join the Femme:Connect Facebook Community

We'd love to welcome you!