Financial Empowerment for Women Entrepreneurs: Shift to Profit

"I Need More Money!" – Sound Familiar? Let's Shift from Financial Panic to Empowered Profit

"Carlene, I just… I need more money."

Honestly, if I had a pound (or a dollar, or a euro!) for every time I’ve heard that whispered, shouted, or tearfully confessed by an ambitious female entrepreneur, well, let’s just say my own piggy bank would be looking rather pleased with itself. & believe me, I get it. As a CEO, a mum of four constantly navigating the beautiful chaos of family life (picture trying to strategise global domination while the puppy decides your notes are a tasty snack – yes, that’s a Tuesday), & as someone who's spent years researching Black female entrepreneurship for my PhD, I’ve seen & felt that financial pressure from every conceivable angle.

It’s more than just numbers in a bank account, isn’t it? That yearning for "more money" is so often tied to our deepest aspirations:

• The freedom to make choices that align with our values, not just our bank balance.

• The impact we want to create, knowing that resources fuel our ability to serve more people.

• The security for our families, the ability to provide, to build a legacy, to breathe a little easier.

• & let’s be honest, especially for us Millennials who’ve navigated some pretty choppy socio-economic waters – like stagnant wages while the price of a block of cheese skyrockets – it’s also about reclaiming a sense of control & possibility in a world where traditional paths often feel… well, less than inspiring. I remember that deep-seated dread after my third child, looking at the corporate world & thinking, "This just seems ridiculous, there has to be a better way than delivering £100k work for £30k pay & feeling like a replaceable cog." That feeling was a powerful catalyst for me.

So, if "I need more money" is your current soundtrack, please know you’re not alone, & it’s a perfectly valid feeling. But what if we could shift that sentiment from a place of anxiety & overwhelm to one of empowerment & strategic action? What if I told you that sustainable income growth isn't about chaining yourself to your desk for 80 hours a week, but about working smarter, with intention & clarity?

Beyond the Hustle: Why "Working Harder" Isn't the Smartest Financial Strategy

We’re often sold this narrative, aren’t we? That the only way to boost the bottom line is to hustle harder, push more, do more. & yes, dedication & effort are non-negotiable in entrepreneurship. But if you’re already pouring your heart & soul into your business & still feeling that financial pinch, simply adding more hours to your day is a fast-track to burnout, not brilliance. I’ve seen it time & time again, & I’ve learned this lesson myself – often the hard way!

Sustainable, joyful income growth – the kind that actually supports the life you want to live – stems from something much deeper:

• Strategic Clarity: Knowing exactly what you offer, who it’s for, & the unique transformation you provide.

• Robust Value Propositions: Crafting offers that are so compelling, your ideal clients see them as an investment, not an expense.

• Efficient Systems: Building smart, streamlined ways of working that free up your time & energy for what truly matters.

This isn't about magic; it's about intentional design. It's about taking radical personal ownership of your financial trajectory & the good news? You absolutely can change it.

From "Need" to "Know-How": Actionable Pathways to Empowered Revenue Growth

Feeling that "need more money" pang is often a sign that something in your business model requires a strategic tweak, a refinement, or perhaps even a loving overhaul. It’s an invitation to step into your CEO shoes & look at your revenue generation with fresh, empowered eyes. Let’s explore a few key areas where smart, intentional action can make all the difference.

Sharpen Your Focus: Are You Crystal Clear on Your Core Message & Ideal Client?

Before you can effectively ask for money, you need absolute clarity on what you're offering & to whom. This is foundational & it’s about really honing in on your unique brilliance & the specific problem you solve.

Think about it:

• Who do you truly love working with? Get specific. What are their deepest pains, their most fervent desires? When your marketing speaks directly to them, it’s like a magnet.

• What is the one core problem you solve better than anyone else for that specific person? Trying to be everything to everyone often results in being nothing much to anyone. Niche down to power up. My own journey with Femmeprenista involved crystallising my focus on ambitious female entrepreneurs, particularly mothers, because I live that reality & that specificity allows me to connect on a much deeper level.

• Is your messaging laser-focused & compelling? Does it articulate the tangible results & emotional transformation you deliver?

This clarity builds unwavering confidence, both in you & your potential clients. It's the bedrock of attracting people who are not just willing, but excited, to invest in what you offer.

Example: Imagine you are a coach who loves working with introverted women who want to confidently speak on camera. Instead of broadly marketing yourself as a “confidence coach,” you’d focus on messaging like “Helping introverted women shine on video & attract their dream clients!"

When you achieve this level of strategic clarity, it’s like switching on a high-beam headlight in a fog. Suddenly, the path to attracting the right clients – & the revenue they bring – becomes so much clearer.

Elevate Your Flair: Is Your Offer Irresistible & Your Pricing Powerful?

Once you have that clarity, it's time to look at what you’re selling & how you’re pricing it. This is where so many brilliant female entrepreneurs inadvertently leave money on the table.

• Offer Refinement: Is your core offer truly irresistible? Does it solve that specific problem for your ideal client in a way that makes them think, "Wow, that's exactly what I need!"?

Sometimes, simplifying or repackaging your services can make them far more potent & easier to sell. Consider if there are elements you can add or remove to increase the perceived & actual value.

Template Suggestion: Use a "Before & After" grid in your marketing to visually showcase the transformation your offer provides.

• Strategic Pricing: Oh, pricing! This is a big one. Are you pricing based on your worth & the incredible value you deliver, or are you undercharging out of fear or a misguided sense of "being nice"? Remember, your business needs to be sustainable.

If you can't live, you can't make a career out of it. What is the true value of the transformation you provide?

When you price confidently, you attract clients who respect that value. As I learned during my MBA at Cranfield, understanding financial strategy is key – & that includes pricing your offerings in a way that reflects their strategic importance to your clients.

I’ll be honest, even I still grapple with this sometimes. Just last week, I hesitated over raising the price of my Momentum coaching programme because I was worried about scaring potential clients away. Then I checked myself & realised I was undervaluing the incredible results my clients achieve ( & the sheer amount of energy I pour into it!). So I raised the price, & guess what? The next person didn't even blink!

• Communicating Your Value: It’s not enough to have a great offer; you need to communicate its value with flair & conviction. This means compelling copy, testimonials that sing your praises, & a brand presence that radiates professionalism & expertise.

When you nail your offer & pricing, you shift from chasing clients to attracting them. They see the value, they understand the investment, & they’re ready to say yes.

Find Your Flow: Are Your Systems Streamlined for Client Attraction & Scalability?

Okay, so you’ve got clarity & a compelling offer. Now, how do you consistently get it in front of the right people & deliver it without burning yourself out? This is where smart systems & effective client attraction strategies come into play – it’s about creating a beautiful, efficient flow in your business.

• Effective Client Attraction: What’s your consistent strategy for bringing in leads? Is it networking, content marketing, social media, referrals? Whatever it is, it needs to be something you can do consistently & that genuinely connects with your ideal client. Random acts of marketing rarely lead to consistent income. Building a system around this is key – perhaps leveraging smart AI tools to truly streamline your processes for content creation or lead nurturing can free up significant mental space.

• Streamlined Onboarding & Delivery: Once a client says yes, is the process smooth & delightful for them (& for you)? Efficient onboarding & delivery systems not only save you time but also create a fantastic client experience, leading to referrals & repeat business.

• Scalable Income Streams: Are all your income streams dependent on you trading hours for money? Exploring scalable offers – like group programmes, online courses, or digital products (where appropriate for your expertise) – can allow you to serve more people & increase your revenue without exponentially increasing your workload. The Business Flourish Framework methodology we use at Femmeprenista is built on helping entrepreneurs design businesses that can scale gracefully.

Implementing these kinds of systems isn't just about efficiency; it's about creating space - space for strategic thinking, space for your family, space for you.

Prioritise Your Fuel: Connecting Financial Wellbeing to Holistic Success

Finally, let’s talk about the mindset around money. That feeling of "I need more money" often comes with a heavy dose of guilt, stress, or overwhelm. But what if we reframed financial well-being as an integral part of your holistic success?

Money, in essence, is a tool & it’s an enabler. It allows you to:

• Invest in your growth (personal & professional).

• Create amazing experiences for your family.

• Support causes you believe in.

• Build a business that truly energises rather than drains you.

• Have the resources to properly prioritise your well-being.

When we see money not as the end goal, but as a means to greater fulfillment, impact, & a more integrated life, the pressure can ease. It becomes less about a desperate need & more about a conscious creation of abundance. To make this more tangible, ask yourself: If I felt truly secure financially, what's one thing I'd start doing (or stop doing) today to create more joy & ease in my life? This perspective is crucial for sustainable performance & preventing burnout, ensuring your business truly fuels your life.

Taking Ownership: You Hold the Reins to Your Financial Story

That feeling of "I need more money" can be incredibly disempowering if we let it. But here’s the truth I hold onto, & the truth I see proven every day by the incredible women I work with: you have the power to change your financial trajectory.

Yes, there are external factors. Yes, the entrepreneurial journey can feel like a rollercoaster (I’m often navigating that ride with my toddler’s snacks flying everywhere!). But ultimately, your results are a reflection of your strategies, your actions, & your mindset. Owning this is the most empowering step you can take.

My PhD research into Black female entrepreneurship constantly highlights the resilience, ingenuity, & sheer determination required to succeed, often in the face of systemic challenges. A common theme I'm exploring in my research that resonates here is around access to resources, specifically capital. For example, studies show that Black-owned businesses are significantly less likely to receive funding from traditional lenders compared to their white counterparts. What shines through is the power of agency, of women taking control of their narratives & forging their own paths. This isn't to downplay obstacles, but to emphasize that your response, your strategy, & your commitment to working smart are what truly shape your outcomes.

So, instead of letting that "I need more money" thought paralyse you, let it be a call to action - a call to:

1. Get Radically Honest: Where are the leaks in your current revenue strategy?

2. Seek Clarity: What needs to shift in your focus, offer, or systems?

3. Take Inspired Action: What’s one small, strategic step you can take today to move towards your financial goals?

I remember a time, early on, when cashflow was so tight I almost missed a critical payment, panicked and started offering discounts to anyone who would listen - a move that completely devalued my offer and attracted the wrong clients! It's a mistake I learned from, and one that fueled my commitment to helping other women avoid the same pitfalls.

Ready to Move from Financial Stress to Strategic Success?

That cry of "I need more money" doesn't have to be a permanent state of being. It can be the catalyst for profound positive change in your business, leading to greater income, impact, & most importantly, a business that truly supports the life you want to live. It’s about shifting from anxious hoping to empowered action & it’s about understanding that your financial growth is a skill you can develop, a strategy you can implement, & a reality you can create.

If you're a Scaling Leader – someone who's built a solid foundation & is ready for sustainable growth, to strategically increase your revenue, build robust systems, & attract those dream premium clients without burning out – our Momentum Coaching could be the bespoke support you need to make that shift. We dive deep into tailoring these strategies specifically for your business & your life.

Remember, your financial well-being is a vital part of your entrepreneurial journey & your holistic success & you deserve to build a business that not only thrives financially but also brings you joy & fulfillment.

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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