Femmeprenista Entrepreneurial Journey: Find Your Voice & Thrive

From Playground Hustle to PhD: The Femmeprenista Story

Right, let’s be honest, how many times have you kicked off a new venture, buzzing with passion & drive, only to slam headfirst into a wall & wonder, "Is this even worth it?" Maybe you’ve poured your heart (and a hefty chunk of your savings!) into a business idea, only to feel like you’re the only one RSVP’d to the party. Or perhaps you’re juggling the beautiful chaos of motherhood alongside your entrepreneurial dreams, feeling more like a frazzled plate-spinner than a CEO. Trust me, I get it. In fact, that’s exactly why Femmeprenista exists.

Today, I’m pulling back the curtain on my own journey – the real, messy, wonderfully imperfect path that led me to create this community. Because sometimes, knowing you’re not alone in the struggle, seeing that someone else has navigated similar choppy waters, is the most powerful fuel to keep you going.

The Entrepreneurial Spark: From Sweets to Start-Ups

My entrepreneurial journey didn’t kick off in a boardroom. It started on the playground, selling sweets. Now, before you picture some sophisticated operation, imagine a small, determined girl with a bag of pick ‘n’ mix, a keen eye for a deal, & a surprisingly strategic pricing structure (penny sweets were a game-changer, let me tell you!). That early experience, the thrill of building something from nothing, sparked a fire that, despite various detours, never truly went out.

It flickered again in my final year at the University of East London (UEL – finding my “tribe” there after a less fulfilling start elsewhere was a huge lesson in trusting my intuition, by the way). My first “official” venture, Nisbett & George (born from the urgency of a “now or never” E-Factor competition and the fresh challenge of balancing new motherhood with entrepreneurial ambition), taught me invaluable lessons about partnerships, commitment, & the very specific realities of being a mother-entrepreneur. It also highlighted the importance of the right environment for growth, echoing my earlier experience of moving from a public school that was stifling my confidence to a private one where I could truly find my voice (thanks to my amazing dad who fiercely advocated for me when teachers tried to silence me – he was literally shouting at teachers when they were essentially telling me to shut up, which profoundly shaped my resolve to help others find their voice).

Then came the corporate chapter – over thirteen years at places like Apple & Electrolux, & various tech start-ups. While I gained valuable skills & experience (and let’s be real, sometimes felt like a “replaceable cog” in a giant machine, facing moments where I was even scapegoated despite my best efforts to improve processes & implement preventative systems), it was also the catalyst for realizing that my heart truly lay in entrepreneurship. My MBA at Cranfield (another “sliding doors” moment sparked by a serendipitous car park encounter) wasn’t about climbing the corporate ladder; it was about realizing that even a bigger paycheck wouldn't deliver the quality of life I craved. As I juggled demanding studies with the beautiful chaos of motherhood (my school-aged daughter was just a baby then!), a question kept echoing: "Isn't life about the quality of it, not just how much you’ve got in the pocket?" That question became the driving force behind Femmeprenista.

The "Why" Behind Femmeprenista

So why Femmeprenista? Why focus on women entrepreneurs, especially mothers? Because I intimately understand the juggle, the challenges, & the incredible, untapped potential within each of you. I know what it’s like to try & have a “business conversation” while your kids are literally running circles around you, to go out with “one eyeliner on” because you were too busy cleaning up some kid-created catastrophe. I know the feeling of desperately needing support but having it arrive at the wrong time, or worse, not at all. There have been times when the weight of it all, the business, the kids, the research, felt crushing, & I questioned if I could really do it all. Even now, juggling my PhD research, client commitments, and four kids (including a toddler who thinks my laptop is a very expensive chew toy), there are days when I feel utterly overwhelmed. But then I remember that “it’s not just the system; it’s about what you do,” and I refocus on the small, smart actions I can control. I look at my children, remember my own journey of overcoming setbacks, and find the strength to push forward, one small step at a time. And I understand the deep drive within so many women, especially my fellow Millennials, to build something more, something meaningful, that supports their families & aligns with their values, especially when faced with socio-economic pressures like stagnant wages and the rising cost of living. Honestly, as millennials, we really got the bad end of the stick!

Femmeprenista is more than just a business; it’s a mission to empower you to take ownership of your journey. It's about building a sustainable, fulfilling online business that fits into your actual life, not the other way around. It's about finding your voice, overcoming the “mummy guilt,” & realizing that you are inherently powerful & capable of achieving incredible things, even if your path looks a little different, even if it’s a bit slower due to all your amazing commitments. This is why I believe so strongly in the power of personal responsibility, in working smart, not just hard, & in building intelligent systems that work for you, so you can thrive without burnout.

The Femmeprenista Approach: Holistic Growth for the Modern Entrepreneur

My coaching & strategies are built on a holistic approach – the Business Flourish Framework. This framework empowers you to cultivate a resilient mindset, create impactful marketing, design streamlined systems, prioritize well-being, and strategically integrate AI into every aspect of your business. It’s about building a business that doesn't just make money, but fuels your soul, supports your family, & allows you to create a legacy you’re truly proud of.

For example, when it comes to cultivating your mindset, we dive deep into overcoming those pesky limiting beliefs that hold you back, like the fear of visibility or imposter syndrome. We'll explore tools and techniques inspired by NLP and the Silva Method to reprogram limiting self-talk and visualize your success. Need to revitalize your marketing? We'll explore authentic branding strategies, leveraging psychological principles to craft irresistible offers that deeply resonate with your ideal client's desires, drawing inspiration from Rory Sutherland's insights. Struggling with systems & feeling overwhelmed? We’ll explore how AI can automate tasks, streamline your workflow, & free up your precious time so you can focus on strategic growth, not just endless admin. Feeling burnt out & juggling too much? We'll integrate wellbeing practices, including stress-management techniques & simple self-care rituals, so you can thrive, not just survive. And throughout, we'll explore how to strategically integrate AI to amplify results in all these areas, working smarter, not just harder.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

My journey has been anything but linear. It’s been a whirlwind of successes, setbacks, "sliding doors" moments, & a constant commitment to learning & growth. And if I, with four kids, a demanding PhD, & recovering from my fourth C-section, can find a way to build my dream, then so can you.

Ready to connect with a community of women who truly “get it”? Looking for support to validate your idea, launch your business, or scale to your next level of success? Femmeprenista offers a range of programs and services tailored for women at all stages of their entrepreneurial journey.

Are you a Foundation Builder just starting out, full of ideas but needing clarity & support? Perhaps you're a Scaling Leader ready to optimize your systems, attract premium clients, & scale sustainably. Or maybe you're a Visionary Leader, eager to build a powerful team, create a lasting legacy, & maximize your impact. Whichever stage you are at, Femmeprenista is here to empower you with the mindset, marketing mastery, & AI-powered systems you need to flourish.

Our signature Launch Programme is specifically designed to help you set up essential systems, launch confidently, and secure your first clients. Find out more about how the Launch Programme can help you 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!

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