Female Entrepreneur Juggle: Find Balance & Your Superhero Within

From Chaos to Superhero: My Juggle as a CEO, PhD Student, & Mum of Four

Alright, loves, let’s be honest for a sec. Ever feel like you're juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle on a tightrope? That's pretty much my daily life as CEO of Femmeprenista, a PhD student researching Black female entrepreneurship, & mum to four amazing (and wonderfully chaotic) kids. Add two miniature pinschers to the mix – Cappuccino, the chilled matriarch, & Espresso, her bouncy offspring – a furry mother-daughter dynamic mirroring my own, in a way! – and you've got a pretty accurate picture of the beautifully organised chaos that is my world.

And you know what? I wouldn't trade it for anything. Because within that beautiful mess, I find my superhero moments. Those times when I pull off the seemingly impossible, not by magic, but by embracing the juggle, taking radical personal responsibility, & working smarter, not harder. AI is woven into everything I do – it’s the Fusion in my Business Flourish Framework. Think of AI as your trusty sidekick, helping you manage the mayhem & multiply your impact without the burnout.

The Real-Life Juggle: No Capes, Just Coffee (Lots of Coffee)

It’s not all glamorous boardrooms & academic breakthroughs, my friends. It’s more like trying to conduct a business meeting while deciphering toddler language (my little one is going through her "why" phase – EVERYTHING is “why?”), or finally sitting down to write my dissertation only to discover Espresso has redecorated the living room rug with a chewed-up slipper (again). Sound familiar? Thought so! It's the reality of the modern entrepreneur – because being a mum is just one of the many hats we wear. As female entrepreneurs, we're constantly shifting gears, adapting to the ever-changing demands of business & family. About Carlene

Why I Embrace the Challenge (and You Can Too!)

So, why do I put myself through this? Well, there’s this powerful quote by Lisa Nichols that really resonates: "Your job is to fill your own cup, so it overflows. Then you can serve others, joyfully, from your saucer." For me, pursuing my passions – leading Femmeprenista, contributing to research that matters, & most importantly, being present for my family – fills my cup. Yes, it’s overflowing with chaos sometimes, but it’s also overflowing with purpose, fulfillment, & dare I say, joy. It’s really funny because this resonates with my own story of needing flexibility, of wanting to make a real impact, and to build something truly mine, rather than just being another replaceable cog in the corporate machine. Remember that awful moment when my former boss actually said “you’re all replaceable”? That was a real turning point for me – fuel for the fire, you know? It solidified my “why” and made me even more determined to build a business & life on my terms.

My journey is slower, more circuitous. I have four kids, I'm doing a PhD… Am I going slower than a 20-year-old with no dependents? Yes, of course, I am. But that's my journey. And that's okay. It doesn't mean I can't get there because of my situation; it means I have to figure out how to navigate my path strategically, taking radical responsibility for my pace & progress. Just like when my dad stood up for me against those silencing teachers, this is my story. And if I don't get there, that’s on me, not on the kids, the PhD, or anyone else. It's about owning my journey, every step of the way, even the messy bits. All Femmeprenista Services

My Superhero Toolkit: Systems, Strategy, & Self-Care

My ability to navigate this multifaceted life doesn't come from superpowers (though a time-turner would be nice!). It comes from a toolkit built on the principles of Focus (Mindset), Flow (Systems), and Fuel (Wellbeing)—three core pillars of the Femmeprenista Business Flourish Framework. This framework is designed specifically for women business owners like you, recognising the unique juggle we face. Are you a Foundation Builder just starting out? Or maybe a Scaling Leader looking to level up? Wherever you are, these principles apply.

• Systems are your saviour. Implementing efficient systems & processes is non-negotiable. Remember that time I tried to launch my first online course without a proper email sequence? It was a total disaster! I felt so overwhelmed trying to manage everything manually. I learned the hard way that a solid system is like having a reliable co-pilot.

• Juggler's Shortcut: Set up a simple project management system (like Trello or Asana) to track all your tasks, big & small.

• System Saviour: Automate your social media posting using a scheduling tool & AI-powered content creation.

• Delegate Don't Deplete: Which tasks can you outsource to free up your time & energy for strategic work?

• Prioritise like a pro. I'm a big believer in the Pareto Principle (the 80/20 rule). What are the 20% of activities that generate 80% of my results in each area of my life? I focus on those like a laser beam. For instance, when I’m working on my PhD research, I don't try to read everything; I identify the key articles & data points that will have the greatest impact on my analysis. This ruthless prioritisation applies to business building as well. Which marketing activities are bringing in the most clients? Double down on those & ditch the rest.

• Quick Clarity Tip: At the start of each week, identify your top 3 priorities for business, family, & personal growth. Schedule time for those first.

• Self-care isn't selfish, it's essential. I can't pour from an empty cup. Whether it’s a 10-minute meditation, a quick walk with the dogs (even if one of them decides to chase a squirrel up a tree mid-walk!), or simply five minutes of quiet with a cuppa, I carve out pockets of time to recharge. This isn’t a luxury; it’s fuel for my superhero engine. This is especially crucial for female entrepreneurs, as we often put immense pressure on ourselves to be everything to everyone. Remember, loves, you can't pour from an empty cup.

• Energy Booster: Schedule short breaks throughout your workday to stretch, step away from your screen, & reconnect with your breath. Even five minutes can make a huge difference!

Embracing the Mess: It’s Where the Magic Happens

One of the biggest lessons I've learned is that perfection is a myth, especially when you’re juggling as much as we are. Embrace the mess, the chaos, the unexpected. It’s within those imperfect moments that the real magic happens. It’s where we learn to adapt, to be resourceful, and to discover our own unique superpowers. Remember, loves, progress over perfection, always. Just like finding my "tribe" at UEL after a less-than-ideal start at another university, the right environment and a willingness to adapt can make all the difference. Sometimes, just like with my early entrepreneurial venture, Nisbett & George, what seems like a setback actually turns out to be a crucial lesson in disguise, leading you to where you’re truly meant to be.

So, if you're feeling overwhelmed by your own juggle, take a deep breath. You're not alone. According to a recent study by , 72% of female entrepreneurs report feeling overwhelmed at least once a week. Share one of your "juggling torches" moments in the comments – let’s laugh & support each other through this beautiful, chaotic journey. It can feel lonely, right? Especially when you're juggling so much. Join our Femme:Connect community for support, accountability, and shared experiences. We even have dedicated threads for navigating school holidays and the unique challenges of mum-life as an entrepreneur.

What’s one small step you can take today to embrace your own juggle & find your superhero moments? Commit to it & share it below – let’s make some magic happen!

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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