Financial Flow for Femmeprenistas: Unlock Your Creative Abundance

Unleashing Your Creative Flow with Financials: Turning Fear into Freedom

Hey there, lovely Femmeprenistas! (If you're new around here, we're a community of ambitious women entrepreneurs, many of us mums, who are passionate about building thriving businesses & living fulfilling lives – it's all about that beautiful, chaotic balance.) It’s Carlene here, & let’s talk about something that often makes creative hearts flutter with a different kind of anxiety – financials. I know, I know… for many of us who thrive on colour palettes & brainstorming sessions, spreadsheets & numbers can feel like visiting a foreign planet. Honestly, I get it. Juggling four kids, a PhD, & running a business… well, let's just say I've become intimately familiar with the art of applying eyeliner one-handed while simultaneously refereeing a pillow fight & attempting to decipher toddler-speak – all before my first morning coffee. Like last week, when my six-year-old decided our pristine white living room wall needed a "Banksy-esque" upgrade with permanent marker, precisely five minutes before a crucial Zoom call (talk about a real-life "before & after" moment – the "before" being my carefully curated professional backdrop, the "after" being… well, let's just say it involved a lot of strategically placed plants and a hasty explanation to my client about the joys of "creative expression" in a multi-generational household).

But here’s the thing: mastering your money game isn’t about becoming an accountant; it’s about unleashing your creative power in a whole new dimension. It’s about building the solid foundation that allows your creative genius to truly soar. It’s about taking charge of your financial destiny & designing a life of freedom & abundance, not just for your business, but for you. It's about moving from that "treading water" feeling to swimming in a sea of possibilities – I'm talking impromptu family getaways, guilt-free investments in your children's future, &, yes, maybe even that dream handbag you’ve been manifesting (because celebrating your wins is essential, not selfish).

So, how do we reframe this often-dreaded part of the entrepreneurial journey? How do we, as creative entrepreneurs, especially those of us navigating motherhood's beautiful chaos (with or without the support of a village – because, let’s face it, many of us are doing this solo or with partners who are equally deep in the trenches), turn money management from a fear-inducing chore into a strategic, even fun, extension of our creative process?

From Fear to Flourishing: Reframing Your Financial Mindset

The first step, & arguably the most crucial, is shifting our mindset. So many of us carry limiting beliefs around money – maybe we’ve absorbed those unhelpful societal whispers that tell women we shouldn't be "too ambitious" or "too focused" on finances (seriously, who made these rules?!). Or perhaps, like me in my early playground-entrepreneur days (yes, I was that kid selling sweets for a profit – clearly, the entrepreneurial bug bit early!), we fear asking for what we’re worth. These beliefs can sabotage our efforts before we even begin. Reflections informed by my ongoing PhD research into Black female entrepreneurship often highlight this pattern – the internalized fear of being "too much" can hold us back from asking for the abundance we deserve.

Think about it: have you ever found yourself muttering things like, "Numbers just aren’t my thing," or "I’ll sort out the money stuff later"? Classic limiting beliefs in action. It’s like that time I convinced myself I could effortlessly launch a new programme while recovering from my fourth C-section & juggling PhD deadlines. In hindsight, it was a bit like trying to build a Lego castle during an earthquake – ambitious, yes, but not exactly a recipe for success. What did I learn? Hard work is admirable, but smart work, combined with realistic self-assessment (given present circumstances) & a solid support system (if you’re lucky enough to have one), is what truly creates sustainable progress.

So, how do we rewrite these self-limiting narratives? How do we step into a more empowered relationship with our money flow? It starts with awareness. Recognize those limiting beliefs when they rear their heads. Challenge them. Ask yourself: “Is this thought helpful? Does it align with the powerful, financially free woman I'm becoming?". Then, consciously choose a more empowering perspective. Like Sue Knight tells us: "There is no failure, only feedback.” Every “mistake” is data, a chance to course-correct & refine our approach.

For example, instead of “I’m not good with numbers,” try, “I’m developing my financial fluency – it's a journey, not a destination.” Instead of “I’ll deal with it later,” how about, “I’m prioritizing my financial well-being today– because my future self will thank me.” It's about small, strategic shifts that, over time, create a powerful upward spiral.

Simple Strategies for Creative Financial Flow

Now that we’ve got our mindset in the right place, let’s talk practical magic. This isn’t about becoming a financial guru overnight; it’s about creating simple, & dare I say, enjoyable systems that work for you, not against you.

• Start Simple & Stylish: Don’t get bogged down in complex software right away. Begin with a simple, visually appealing system. Use coloured pens, highlighters, emojis – whatever sparks your creative joy. Remember, we’re not just entrepreneurs; we're creatives! One of my biggest early blunders was trying to use a dull, grey spreadsheet – talk about a creativity killer! It felt so uninspiring that I'd avoid it like the plague, which led to a few "oh dear" moments come tax time. Now? I use a colourful, emoji-filled system in Notion – it's like a mini-celebration every time I log in!

• Schedule "Money Dates" (Treat Yourself!): Block out dedicated time each week or month to connect with your finances. Put it in your calendar, just like you would a VIP client meeting (because, honestly, your financial well-being is VIP!). Make it a ritual – light a candle, brew your favourite tea, put on some music (anything but "Baby Shark," please!), and make it a moment of self-care, not a chore.

• Visualize Your Abundant Future: This is where our creative visualization superpowers come in. Picture your dream financial reality. What does it look, feel, & even sound like? (Are you hearing the waves crashing on the beach during your "workation," or the excited squeals of your kids as you surprise them with a trip to Disneyland?). The more vivid your vision, the more powerfully it informs your actions. Create a Pinterest board, a vision board, or simply allow yourself to daydream (it's productive, I promise!).

• Automate Like a Boss: Tech is our friend! Automate bills, use online accounting software (Xero is a lifesaver!), & explore AI-powered tools like Timely to streamline time tracking & generate reports. The less time you spend on manual tasks, the more time you have to create, connect, & thrive! This is where our Fusion ((Fusion)) pillar within the Business Flourish Framework comes in – strategically leveraging AI to amplify your efforts across the board.

• Celebrate Every Win: Acknowledge & celebrate your money milestones. Did you finally open that business bank account? Did you track expenses for a full month without wanting to hide under your duvet? Give yourself a high five! It’s like that victorious feeling when your toddler finally uses the potty correctly (or, in my recent case, when my teenage daughter actually asked to borrow my shoes instead of "liberating" them from my closet) – a moment worth celebrating!

Integrating Financial Planning into Your Business Strategy

Financial planning is not a side hustle; it’s the backbone of your business strategy. Just like you wouldn’t launch a collection without a marketing campaign, you shouldn’t run a business without a clear financial roadmap. Your money goals should inform your pricing, your offers, your marketing – everything. If your dream is to generate £5,000 a month (or £50,000, for that matter – dream big, ladies!), your business strategy must be designed to achieve that. Want to invest in a team or a high-level coaching programme (like our Momentum 1:1 Coaching – just saying!)? Factor it into your projections. This is where working smart, not just hard, comes in. Streamline your Flow ((Flow)) by implementing efficient systems, leveraging AI tools like Timely (seamless time tracking!), and delegating or ditching tasks that drain your energy.

From Numbers to Narrative: Telling Your Financial Story

Here’s a powerful reframe: your financials are not just numbers; they're your business's growth story, your journey to financial freedom, & the impact you’re making. When you view your money story through this narrative lens, number-crunching transforms into a creative act. Your “why,” as Simon Sinek would say, is the heart of this narrative. And understanding your clients’ “deepest & most primal desires," as Sabri Suby emphasizes, allows you to position your offers as solutions to their most pressing needs. My own financial story has its share of plot twists, from “The Spreadsheet Saga of 2022” (when my "system" turned out to be a chaotic explosion of receipts) to “The Time I Almost Gave Away My Premium Programme” (due to a last-minute pricing panic – talk about undervaluing!). It's been a rollercoaster, but every chapter, even the "cringe, but true" ones, has been a valuable lesson in building a sustainable business.

Ready to Take Charge of Your Financial Flow?

You don't have to navigate this alone! Connect with your fellow Femmeprenistas in our free global online community, Femme Connect (https://www.femmeprenista.com/femmeconnect). Share your wins, struggles, & tips – let's create a supportive space for growth. Our Spark Program (https://www.femmeprenista.com/spark), designed for Foundation Builders, is a game-changer for mastering your money mindset & launching a thriving business. In fact, Spark Programme graduates often see a 20-30% increase in client conversions within the first three months of implementing the strategies. Your smallest viable step? Schedule a 30-minute "money date" this week to review your income & expenses.

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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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