Female Entrepreneur Resilient Mindset: Level Up & Thrive

Is It Fair? A Fresh Perspective on Leveling Up Your Business (Even When the Odds Feel Stacked)

Right, let's talk about fairness. Or rather, what happens when things feel decidedly unfair.

My six-year-old came storming into the kitchen the other day, a miniature whirlwind of indignation. "It's not FAIR!" she declared. Espresso, our bouncy Miniature Pinscher puppy, had, in her view, committed the ultimate crime: snaffling up crumbs that had fallen from the table – crumbs that were, by divine right, apparently hers.

Now, Espresso, bless her hyperactive heart, operates on a simple principle: if it's edible and within reach, it's fair game. My daughter, on the other hand, had a very different perspective on the equitable distribution of fallen snacks.

It got me thinking. How often do we, as female entrepreneurs, feel that same surge of "it's not fair!"? I know I have. There have been times, especially juggling my PhD research, four kids, and recovering from my fourth C-section, when the sheer weight of it all felt crushing. The business, the kids, the house – it all felt like too much. The thought, “Why is this so hard for me?” crept in more than once.

We're working harder than ever, juggling a million things (anyone else trying to run a business, wrangle kids, and keep a puppy from redecorating the house with chewed-up slippers?), yet sometimes it feels like we're constantly battling uphill. Sound familiar? Thought so!

We see others seemingly cruising to success, while we're stuck navigating a maze of systemic challenges, funding biases, and the ever-present "mummy guilt." It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking, "Why them and not me? Where's the fairness in that?"

Here's the truth, love: while acknowledging these systemic challenges is absolutely valid (believe me, as a Black woman and a mother of four, I get it), focusing on the "unfairness" can be incredibly disempowering. It can keep us stuck in a victim mentality, waiting for the world to change instead of taking ownership of our own journey. It’s like that time I was at Apple, and despite owning a mistake and proactively trying to fix it, I still ended up being the scapegoat. That experience taught me that even in challenging environments, my response – taking ownership of my part and focusing on solutions – was what mattered most. And that even if the system isn't always fair, your resilience and resourcefulness are what truly empower you to move forward.

Taking Control: Shifting Your Mindset & Building Momentum

So, what can we do? How do we move from feeling like victims to becoming victors, even when the playing field feels tilted?

It starts with a mindset shift. A shift from "Why is this happening to me?" to "What can I do about it?" It’s about cultivating a resilient entrepreneurial mindset – that ‘Focus’ (Mindset) – that helps you see the path forward even when it’s a windy one. Remember Sue Knight's NLP principle: “There is no failure, only feedback.” Every "unfair" situation holds a lesson, if we’re open to learning.

It's about focusing on what we can control: our actions, our responses, our strategies.

One of the most powerful lessons I learned during my MBA (while juggling a toddler, might I add!) was the importance of working smarter, not just harder. We simply don't have the luxury of endless time, especially as mothers. We need strategies that maximize our impact and minimize the overwhelm.

• Step 1: Identify Your Time Drains: What tasks are consuming your time but not generating significant results? Are you constantly putting out fires instead of working on your big vision? It’s like having two hyperactive Miniature Pinschers (like my Cappuccino & Espresso!) – adorable, but chaos incarnate if you don’t have a system for managing their energy.

• Step 2: Automate & Delegate: Can any of these tasks be automated with AI tools (Fusion) or delegated to a virtual assistant? This is where embracing ‘Flow’ – smart systems & processes – becomes your superpower. What can you hand off to technology or a trusted team member?

• Step 3: Prioritize High-Impact Activities: Schedule dedicated time for strategic work that aligns with your business goals. Think of it like this: are you spending your precious hours planting seeds (effort) but forgetting to water them (strategic action & smart systems)?

What if the real power lies not in blaming the system, but in figuring out how you can navigate it? It’s about building momentum through productivity & systems – creating that ‘Flow’ in your business.

Marketing Magic: Crafting Irresistible Offers & Finding Your Flair

This means building smart systems and embracing AI – Fusion – to streamline our processes and free up precious time & energy. Imagine having an AI assistant that handles your scheduling, social media posting, or even basic customer service. For instance, think about automating your email marketing. An AI tool can segment your audience, personalize emails, and even suggest optimal send times, freeing you up to focus on crafting compelling content. I spent months crafting offers that sounded great to me, but no one was buying. I realised, after much frustration (and a few "it's not fair!" moments of my own!), that I wasn't speaking to their core desires, I was projecting my own assumptions. It was only when I started truly listening to my ideal clients, understanding their deepest fears and aspirations (like Sabri Suby teaches in his Halo Strategy), that I started creating offers they couldn’t resist. Suddenly, you have more time for the strategic work that truly moves the needle (and maybe even a moment to enjoy a cuppa in peace... or perhaps something a bit stronger if it's that kind of day!). This allows you to truly level up by focusing on fairness in your offers - ensuring they align with the value you deliver.

It also means getting crystal clear on your marketing message and crafting offers that truly resonate with your ideal clients. Remember what Rory Sutherland (author of Alchemy and Ogilvy's Vice Chairman of Behavioural Science) says: "Value is created in the mind." How can you frame your offer to not just solve a problem, but to transform her life? This is where your authentic brand voice – your ‘Flair’ (Marketing & Messaging)– shines bright.

Fueling Your Fire: Prioritizing Well-being for Sustainable Success

And critically, it means prioritizing our well-being – Fuel (Well-being). It's not just about bubble baths and meditation apps (though those are lovely, too!), it's about creating sustainable energy levels so you can actually enjoy the entrepreneurial rollercoaster. It’s easy to let self-care slip down the to-do list when we're in "hustle mode," but neglecting our well-being is a recipe for burnout. Remember what Lisa Nichols (transformational speaker and author) says: "Your job is to fill your own cup, so it overflows." You can't pour from an empty cup, love. Think of it as strategic self-leadership – a core component of the Business Flourish Framework.

So, back to my daughter and the "crumb crisis." After a quick cuddle and a reminder that Espresso is still learning (and that, honestly, the crumbs probably weren't that tasty anyway), we brainstormed a solution: a special little bowl just for her, placed strategically beyond the puppy's reach.

It wasn't about changing the dog's inherent nature (Espresso will always be Espresso, bless her bouncy soul), but about finding a smart strategy to work within the existing dynamic.

And that, my friend, is the key. If you're a 'Scaling Leader,' already making strides in your business but hitting those inevitable plateaus, this is for you. Yes, the system might not always be fair. But your response, your resourcefulness, your ability to work smarter, not harder – that's where your true power lies.

What’s one small, smart step you can take today to shift from feeling like a victim to owning your progress? What’s one thing you can automate this week? Share your win in the comments – let’s celebrate together!

Ready to dive deeper & truly level up? Learn about our Spark Programme, designed to help you gain clarity & build a rock-solid foundation for your business.

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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