Femmeprenista female entrepreneur community: Find Your Tribe

More Than Just a Blog: My Story, My 'Why,' & How Femmeprenista Becomes Your Ally

Hello lovely! If we haven’t been properly acquainted yet, I’m Carlene Nisbett, the heart & hustle behind Femmeprenista. Pull up a chair, grab a cuppa (or something stronger – no judgement here, & I'm sure it’s wine o’clock somewhere!), because I want to share a little of my story, my real ‘why’ for creating this space, & most importantly, how this blog is designed to be your genuine ally in building a business & a life you truly, madly, deeply love.

You see, I believe that as ambitious female entrepreneurs, especially as mothers, we’re often told our journey should look a certain way. We’re handed blueprints that don’t quite fit, advice that feels a bit… off. My mission, through Femmeprenista & specifically through this blog, is to change that narrative. It’s to offer you a space that feels like a warm, empowering chat with a friend who truly gets it – because I’ve lived it, & I’m still living it right alongside you.

So, Who Am I Really? The Woman Juggling It All (Just Like You!)

If you are a Foundation Builder, just starting out, know that my entrepreneurial spark ignited young – I was that kid selling sweets in the playground, already understanding the thrill of creating something & seeing it valued. But my path wasn't a straight line from playground profits to CEO. Oh no, life had a few detours planned!

My own educational journey was a bit of a rollercoaster. I remember vividly the feeling of being in an environment where I just didn’t fit, where my confidence took a nosedive. That pivotal mid-year move to a different school, while challenging, taught me so much about the power of the right environment & the resilience needed to find your footing & your voice. It’s a lesson that stuck, especially when I later found my academic & personal 'tribe' at the University of East London studying Fashion Design with Marketing. That experience, after an initial university course that felt completely wrong for me, really solidified my belief in listening to that inner nudge, that intuition that tells you when something is (or isn’t) your path.

Then came over thirteen years in the corporate world, with giants like Apple & Electrolux. & whilst I learned an immense amount, I also learned what I didn’t want. I often felt like a cog in a huge machine, my contributions sometimes lost in the shuffle, & the flexibility I craved, especially as my family grew, just wasn't there. I recall working on incredible projects, pouring my heart & soul into them, only for them to be launched without a whisper of my name – it’s a strange feeling, that lack of direct recognition. It wasn’t for me.

& speaking of family, they are my everything. I’m a very busy mum to four incredible children – a vibrant teenage daughter navigating those exciting & sometimes stormy waters, a wonderfully balanced & charming six-year-old, an inquisitive & chatty two-year-old, & our newest little arrival, my baby son. Add to that our two lively Miniature Pinschers, Cappuccino (the chilled mum) & Espresso (the bouncing-off-the-walls daughter), & you can imagine the beautiful, orchestrated chaos that is our home! Just this morning, I was trying to finalise a thought for this very post, & my toddler decided my notebook was the perfect canvas for her abstract crayon art, all while the baby serenaded us with his full lung capacity because breakfast was apparently five minutes late – the smell of the crayons mixed with the faint scent of the blueberry porridge I hadn't cleared away yet. You know those moments, right? When you’re trying to send one coherent email, & suddenly you’re negotiating a hostage situation involving a rogue banana & a six-year-old who’s convinced it’s "too bendy." It’s real, it’s messy, & it’s wonderful.

This journey of motherhood has been interwoven with my own pursuit of growth. I completed my undergraduate degree with my eldest as a baby, my MBA from Cranfield University with my second daughter keeping me on my toes, & now I’m navigating my PhD research into Black female entrepreneurship with my two youngest. It’s… a lot! It definitely makes the path feel "slower" sometimes, compared to those without these precious responsibilities. But I wouldn’t change it. It’s taught me resilience, the art of the smart pivot, & an unshakeable belief in taking ownership of my journey, my pace.

My "Why": From Feeling Replaceable to Fuelling Your Fire

So, what lit the fire under me to create Femmeprenista & dedicate myself to this blog? It boils down to a deep-seated desire for something more – more flexibility, more fulfilment, more autonomy, & the ability to make a direct, tangible impact.

The corporate world, for all its lessons, often left me feeling like that 'replaceable cog.' I remember a particular leadership meeting where the message was, quite bluntly, "you're all replaceable." That hit hard. It wasn't about loyalty or valuing the individual; it was about the bottom line. & while I understand business is business, I yearned for a space where contribution was truly seen, where passion was fuelled, not stifled by bureaucracy or internal politics. There were times I felt I was expected to deliver work worthy of a six-figure salary on a fraction of that, & the frustration was immense.

My MBA at Cranfield was a huge turning point. Initially, I thought it was my ticket to a more senior corporate role, a way to escape the micromanagement & underpayment. I vividly recall the taster day feeling like a series of mini-explosions in my brain – so much new, exciting information! I will confess though, despite the excitement, I was plagued by a nagging sense of "Who am I to be doing this, surrounded by these brilliant people?" Imposter syndrome definitely tried to crash the party! That's why I now make mindset mastery a core component of my coaching through Femmeprenista, because I know how critical it is to quiet that inner critic. But as I delved deeper into strategic business principles, a different truth emerged. Even climbing higher up that ladder wouldn’t necessarily give me the quality of life or the direct impact I craved. I realised that my true path, the one that had been whispering to me since those playground sweet-selling days, was entrepreneurship. It was about asking, "Isn't life about the quality of it, not just how much you've got in the pocket?"

That realisation was the catalyst. I knew I wanted to help other women, particularly mothers, build businesses that genuinely aligned with their lives, their values, & their deepest aspirations. I wanted to create a space where they could find their voice, feel seen & understood, & get the tailored support they needed to thrive – support that I often wished I’d had. The Business Flourish Framework underpins this. I’ve seen this holistic approach transform businesses. Client success stories highlight this.

Just last month, I worked with Sarah, who was feeling utterly burnt out, juggling her online shop with three young kids. She was on the verge of giving up. Through implementing the Business Flourish Framework, specifically focusing on the Fuel pillar (prioritising wellbeing), Sarah carved out dedicated self-care time, delegated some tasks to a virtual assistant, & implemented smart AI systems to automate her social media scheduling (Fusion pillar). The result? She regained 15 hours a week, her sales increased by 30%, & she rediscovered her passion for her business. As Sarah told me: ‘I feel like a different person! I’m actually enjoying my business again, & I have time for my family.’ Stories like that are what fuel my fire!

Actually, talking about AI, I've been wrestling with getting my head around the best AI tools for content repurposing myself lately! Ironic, isn't it, given I champion AI integration via the Fusion pillar?! I keep getting lost in the shiny object syndrome, jumping from one tool to another without truly mastering any. It's a classic case of "analysis paralysis," & I'm actively trying to implement a system to focus on one tool at a time, master its features, & then decide if it truly fits my needs. It’s all too easy to get distracted!

Why This Femmeprenista Blog is Your New Best Friend in Business

You might be thinking, "Another business blog? What makes this one different?" & that’s a fair question!

This blog isn’t just about spitting out generic advice or rehashing the latest trends. It's a direct line to my heart, my head, & my accumulated experience – the triumphs, the face-palm moments, the evidence-based strategies, & the mindset shifts that have helped me & countless other women navigate this wild ride.

Think of it as your regular dose of:

• Authentic, Relatable Insights: I’m not going to sugar-coat things. Entrepreneurship is tough. Juggling it with motherhood? Even tougher. But it’s also incredibly rewarding. I’ll share the real stories, the practical tips, & the empowering perspectives that come from being in the trenches.

• "She Gets Me" Moments: My biggest hope is that as you read these posts, you’ll nod along thinking, "Yes! She understands!" Because I do. I understand the mental load, the ambition that burns bright even when you’re exhausted, & the desire to build something meaningful without sacrificing yourself or your family.

• Clarity & Confidence Boosts: Overwhelm is the enemy of progress. This blog is designed to cut through the noise, offering you clear, actionable strategies & mindset principles that will help you move forward with greater confidence & less of that "where do I even start?!" feeling.

Your Practical Ally & Guide: How This Blog Will Help You Flourish

My aim is for every post to leave you feeling more informed, inspired, & equipped to take smart action. Here’s a glimpse of what you can expect to gain:

• Crystal Clarity & Strategic Direction: We’ll dive into how to truly define your vision, understand your unique strengths, & set clear, achievable goals. It’s about sharpening your mindset & focus so you know exactly where you’re going & why, making those tough decisions with more confidence. For instance, try mapping out your ideal week, blocking out time for key activities, & ruthlessly eliminating anything that doesn’t align with your goals.

• Actionable Marketing & Systems Savvy: Forget confusing jargon & overly complicated strategies. We’ll explore practical ways to develop an authentic brand (Flair pillar) that magnetically attracts your ideal clients. You’ll find advice on creating streamlined, efficient workflows (Flow pillar), perhaps even leveraging smart AI tools (Fusion pillar) to free up your precious time & energy, so you can work smarter, not just harder. To start, try creating a simple client intake form using Google Forms to automate your onboarding process.

• A Resilient, Empowered CEO Mindset: This journey demands mental toughness & a belief in your own capabilities. We’ll explore how to cultivate radical personal responsibility (because ultimately, your success is down to you), overcome those pesky limiting beliefs, & lead your business with unshakeable confidence. A great first step is to identify one limiting belief that’s holding you back & actively challenge it with evidence to the contrary.

• Holistic Success & Wellbeing Strategies: Burnout is not a badge of honour. We’ll champion ways to integrate your business with your family life sustainably, prioritising your health & energy so you can perform at your best without sacrificing what matters most. This is about fuelling your body & mind for the long haul. To start, try these: block out 30 minutes for exercise or mindful meditation & schedule one "digital detox" evening a week to fully disconnect & recharge. The guidance you'll find on this blog is rooted in our core Business Flourish Framework, a holistic blueprint designed for building a thriving business & a fulfilling life.

• A Sense of Connection & Community: You are not alone on this path! This blog is a starting point for feeling seen, understood, & connected to a vibrant community of like-minded female entrepreneurs who are all cheering each other on.

I truly believe that when women support women, incredible things happen. This blog is my way of extending a hand, sharing what I’ve learned, & walking alongside you.

If my story & the mission of this blog resonate with you, I’d be absolutely thrilled if you’d take the next step & connect with our wider community.

My primary invitation to you today is to join Femme:Connect. It’s our FREE global online community for ambitious female entrepreneurs at all stages. It's a wonderfully supportive space where ambitious female entrepreneurs at all stages come together for authentic networking, peer support, collaboration, & a real sense of belonging. It’s the perfect place to continue the conversation & find your tribe.

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?

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We'd love to welcome you!