Female Entrepreneur Duality Superpower: Embrace Your Strength
- (Admin) The Thrivology Company
- Aug 9, 2024
- 7 min read
From Angel Investors to Angel Dust (The Crayola Kind): Embracing the Duality of the Female Entrepreneur
Right, let's be honest. How many of us have found ourselves in a situation where, one minute, you're crafting a killer pitch deck for potential angel investors, envisioning a multi-million-pound business, & the next, you're on your hands & knees scrubbing crayon masterpieces off the living room wall, whilst simultaneously fielding questions from my six-year-old about the intricacies of the solar system? Because, honestly, that’s my Tuesday. And I’m guessing it resonates with a few of you incredible women out there too. This is especially true for us Millennial women, who are often juggling the pressures of a stagnant "good salary" (seriously, it's been the same amount for 10 years, while the price of a block of cheese has skyrocketed!), the dream of owning a home (which feels further away than ever), and the very real desire for more fulfilling, autonomous work. Sound familiar? Thought so!
This, my friends, is the duality of the female entrepreneur, the glorious, messy, exhilarating blend of high-level strategy & down-to-earth (or should I say, down-on-your-knees) problem-solving. One minute you’re a CEO, the next, you’re a chief stain remover, referee, & short-order chef. And let's not even get started on the furry members of the family – Espresso, my miniature whirlwind of a puppy, has a knack for choosing precisely the moment I'm on a Google Meet to stage a dramatic re-enactment of Crufts agility course, using my office chair as the main obstacle. Honestly, the background hum of my toddler daughter’s favourite TV show & Espresso's antics are often the real soundtrack to my workday! You know the feeling, right?
It's a constant context-switching, a balancing act that can feel more like a circus act some days. But here's the secret I've discovered, something my own research into women’s entrepreneurship keeps highlighting: this duality, this constant juggling act, isn't a weakness, it's a superpower. According to a 2023 report by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, women entrepreneurs demonstrate higher levels of innovation and resilience compared to their male counterparts, often due to their experience in managing multiple roles.1 This resourcefulness, honed by navigating the complexities of business and family life, is a significant asset in today's dynamic market.
Why Your "Juggle" is Your Strength
Think about it. What other demographic regularly navigates decisions that range from negotiating contracts & managing cash flow to mediating sibling squabbles & deciphering toddler-speak (seriously, my two-year-old has a vocabulary that’s a fascinating mix of actual words, made-up sounds, & interpretive dance)? This constant shifting between vastly different domains hones a unique set of skills. It builds resilience like nothing else. It teaches us to be adaptable, resourceful, & solutions-focused, regardless of the challenge. It forces us to prioritize, to systemize, & let's face it, to occasionally embrace the beautiful chaos. It's about finding that sweet spot where hard work meets smart work, taking ownership of our journey even when the path is windy, like a tortoise steadily making its way.
I remember a particularly memorable incident during my MBA at Cranfield. I was up all night (again) finishing a group project on entrepreneurial finance (the pressure was REAL), fuelled by copious amounts of coffee & sheer willpower. I finally managed to crawl into bed for a couple of hours' sleep, only to be woken by my toddler daughter who had decided 5am was the perfect time to redecorate her bedroom with a tube of bright red lipstick (yes, MY bright red lipstick). In that moment, somewhere between exhaustion & amusement, I honestly wondered if I was even cut out for this whole MBA thing, let alone building my own business while raising a family. Was I selfish to pursue my dreams when my children needed me so much? Would I ever truly find a balance between these two worlds? It felt like the walls were closing in. But looking back, it's those moments, those "tests," as Adriene Weriner would call them, that reveal our resilience and ultimately shape our "Identity Alchemy," forging the entrepreneur we are becoming. The project itself, a complex valuation of a hypothetical start-up, required us to apply all the financial modelling principles we'd been learning, forcing me to push through the exhaustion and find that inner strength.
This "juggle" hones a laser-sharp focus, an ability to cut through the noise & zero in on what truly matters. It forces us to develop rock-solid systems & become masters of efficiency, because honestly, who has time for anything else when you're trying to build a business, raise a family, manage a couple of energetic Miniature Pinschers (Cappuccino & Espresso - the dynamic mother-daughter duo who rule our household!), & maybe even sneak in five minutes of meditation (ha!)? It’s a constant reminder of the importance of working smarter, not just harder, finding those psychological moonshots that Rory Sutherland talks about – small changes in perception or experience that yield outsized results.
Reframing the Challenge: From Overwhelm to Empowerment
So, how do we embrace this duality, this constant context-switching, without losing our minds (or our lipstick)? If you're a Foundation Builder, just starting out or trying to get those first few clients, these tips are especially for you. It's easy to feel like you're constantly reacting, instead of proactively building. Trust me, I've been there. But what if the real power lies not in blaming the system but in figuring out how YOU can navigate it?
Here’s a 3-step checklist to reframe overwhelm & step into your power:
Own Your Superpower: Stop seeing the juggle as a burden & start recognizing it as the source of your incredible adaptability & resilience. The very fact that you can seamlessly switch from pitching to parenting, from spreadsheets to stain removal, is evidence of your dynamic skillset. This inherent flexibility is a huge asset in the unpredictable world of entrepreneurship.
Build Smart Systems: Efficient systems are not a luxury; they're a necessity.
Automate one client communication process: Use a scheduling tool like Calendly or Acuity Scheduling for initial consultations, freeing up time and mental energy.
Delegate one task: If possible, outsource a task like social media management or graphic design, even for a few hours a week. This allows you to focus on your core strengths.
Streamline one internal process: Create a simple project management system using Trello or Asana to organize tasks and track progress, reducing overwhelm and increasing efficiency.
Prioritize Your Wellbeing: This isn't just about bubble baths & green smoothies (though those are nice too).
Schedule one "non-negotiable" well-being activity: Block out time in your calendar for a walk, yoga class, or quiet time for reflection, treating it with the same importance as a client meeting.
Delegate one household chore: Ask your partner, a family member, or consider a cleaning service for even a few hours a month. Reclaiming even a small amount of time can significantly reduce stress.
Create a "wind-down" routine: Establish a pre-bed routine to signal the end of the workday, such as reading, journaling, or meditation. This improves sleep quality and reduces the mental clutter that can interfere with rest.
Embrace Your Tribe
You are not alone. Connect with other female entrepreneurs who understand the juggle. Share your wins, your struggles, & your crayon-removal hacks. The Femme Connect community is a fantastic place for this. The shared experience of other ambitious women, especially mothers, can be incredibly powerful & validating. It can transform feelings of isolation & self-doubt into a wave of shared understanding & empowerment.
Want a tribe who just gets the juggle? Connect with like-minded ambitious women at Femme Connect here:
Inside Femme Connect, you'll find masterclasses on client attraction tailored for busy mums, templates to save you precious time, accountability partners to keep you motivated, & tech guidance without all the confusing jargon. Plus, you’ll connect with other mums navigating those 12–13 weeks of school holidays, sharing tips & strategies to make it all work. It's a supportive, non-judgemental space to ask "silly" questions (we all have them!) & celebrate every win, no matter how small.
Focus on Your “Why”
When the juggle feels particularly intense, reconnect with the deeper purpose behind your business. Why did you start this journey? What impact do you want to make? Remembering your “why” can be incredibly grounding & motivating when things feel overwhelming. This is the heart of our 'Focus' pillar – getting crystal clear on your vision, building resilience, & tapping into that inner drive that keeps you going even when the kids have used your laptop as a canvas for their latest artistic masterpiece (been there!). It's about "starting with why," as Simon Sinek so powerfully puts it, because your purpose is your fuel. What does freedom look like for you? What legacy do you want to build? Those are the questions that will keep you focused when the juggle feels like too much.
This isn't about "having it all" (whatever that even means). It's about consciously choosing what you want to prioritize, building a life & a business that are truly aligned with your values, & accepting that some days, the eyeliner will be wonky & the investor pitch might have a faint aroma of baby wipes. And that’s okay. Because you, my friend, are a force of nature, a master juggler, a resilient, resourceful entrepreneur. Embrace it. It's like my daughter Alana learning to ride her bike - the breakthrough often came when she wasn't trying so hard, when there was an element of fun. That doesn’t mean you don’t persevere, you just find a way to enjoy the process.
What's one small step you can take this week to streamline your "juggle" & own your superpower? Share it in the comments below! And remember, if you ask disempowering questions, you can’t find empowering answers. So instead of asking “Why can’t I do this?” ask yourself “How CAN I make this work?” That shift in perspective can make all the difference.
If you’re ready to take the leap from idea to launch, building a solid foundation & attracting your first paying clients, check out our Launch Programme, designed specifically for Foundation Builders like you. Find out how we can support your journey here:
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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