Navigating Unsolicited Advice for Female Entrepreneurs
- (Admin) The Thrivology Company
- Feb 13
- 5 min read
"Thanks, But I'll Trust My Gut": Navigating Unsolicited Advice as a Female Entrepreneur
Alright, ladies, let's have a real chat. Ever feel like everyone & their auntie suddenly becomes a business consultant the moment you launch your own venture? Especially as female entrepreneurs, & even more so as mums juggling a million things, we're often on the receiving end of a constant stream of unsolicited advice. It's like a bizarre perk of the job nobody asked for. You're knee-deep in nappy changes, trying to decipher toddler-speak while simultaneously crafting a marketing strategy, & suddenly, BAM! Uncle Barry from your partner's side, who hasn’t run a lemonade stand, let alone a business, is telling you how to "scale your online presence." Sound familiar? Thought so!
It’s almost comical, isn’t it? Like the time I was trying to record a training video – all set up with my microphone, ring light on point – only for my two-year-old to decide my laptop was the perfect canvas for her pasta-art masterpiece. Tomato sauce EVERYWHERE! & as I'm frantically cleaning the keyboard, while also trying to answer a client email about a delayed project (because, deadlines, right?), my husband chimes in, "You know, you really should automate this entire process." Helpful, right? Well, love him, I do, but in that exact moment, all I could think was, "Easy for you to say!" You know that feeling, right? It’s really funny because it's easy to offer solutions when you aren't in the thick of it!
Look, I’ll be honest, even with all my experience & research, I still fall into the trap of taking unhelpful advice sometimes. It stings when it doesn't work out, but I remind myself – "no failure, only feedback," right? A principle Sue Knight really emphasizes in her NLP work. It's a windy path, this entrepreneurial journey, and we're all allowed to take a wrong turn now and then. The key is to learn from it, adjust our compass, and keep moving forward.
The thing is, this constant barrage of opinions, often well-meaning but utterly unhelpful, can chip away at our confidence. It can trigger that deep-seated fear of being exposed as a fraud, that "imposter syndrome" monster whispering, "Maybe they're right. Maybe I don't know what I'm doing." Especially for Foundation Builders still finding their footing.It can feel so isolating, like you're the only one struggling. It’s in these moments that developing a resilient entrepreneurial mindset, like what Tony Robbins talks about, becomes our superpower.
& honestly, ladies, there's a reason we sometimes struggle to dismiss this advice, even when it's coming from someone whose business acumen peaks at collecting air miles. It's not just about our individual personalities; it's also about societal conditioning that has often taught women to be agreeable, to seek external validation, to not "rock the boat." Remember at primary school when you were discouraged from asking "too many questions"? Yeah, that's the kind of stuff that gets embedded deep. My own experience of moving to a new school mid-year – trying to catch up, find my voice in an unfamiliar environment – taught me firsthand how challenging it can be to assert yourself when you feel like you're still playing catch-up. It's really funny because I remember my dad calling teachers out when they told me to be quiet, shouting from the rooftops practically! It’s so important to have that voice!
But here's the empowering truth: you do know what you're doing. Or, even if you're still figuring it out, you have the capacity, the intuition, & the sheer determination to navigate your own path. You’ve already taken the leap, you’re building something from the ground up, you’re juggling more than most could even comprehend, & you’re still here. That in itself is a testament to your strength. As my research into women's entrepreneurship highlights, this resilience, this sheer drive to adapt & overcome, is a common thread, especially amongst mothers in business. For example, a recent study from my PhD work (exploring how Black female entrepreneurs navigate funding challenges) showed that mother-led businesses often demonstrate greater resourcefulness & adaptability during economic downturns, likely due to the constant need to juggle and re-prioritize in their daily lives. So give yourself some credit, ladies, you got this!
Reclaiming Your Expertise: Strategies for Navigating Unsolicited Advice
So, how do we navigate this constant influx of opinions & confidently trust our own expertise? Here are a few strategies I’ve learned along the way, both from personal experience & from working with amazing female entrepreneurs in our programmes:
Acknowledge the Intention (But Not Necessarily the Content): Often, the advice is offered with good intentions.
Example: A simple "Thanks for the input! I appreciate you thinking of me" can acknowledge the gesture without endorsing the advice itself. I've used this countless times – it's a lifesaver!
The Polite Deflection: If a more direct response is needed, try politely redirecting the conversation.
Example: "That's an interesting perspective. I'm currently exploring a different approach based on , but I'll keep that in mind." Honestly, this one can be tricky. I remember one time I tried to implement this and ended up rambling about some random marketing book I'd half-read! It was a mess, but it taught me to have a few go-to phrases prepared beforehand.
The "Expert" Pivot: If the advice giver is particularly persistent, gently shifting the focus to your own expertise can be helpful.
Example: "That's a great question. My PhD research on consumer behaviour, specifically how framing impacts purchasing decisions, actually suggests a different approach. For instance, a recent study showed that women are more likely to invest in offers framed as 'transformations' rather than just 'services'. I'm happy to share some resources if you'd like to learn more."
The Boundary Setting "No": Sometimes, a firm but polite "no" is the best approach.
Example: "Thank you, but I'm happy with the direction I'm heading in right now."
Find Your Tribe (and Vent if Needed): Connecting with other female entrepreneurs who understand the "joys" of unsolicited advice can be incredibly validating. Our Femme:Connect community is a safe, supportive space to share your funny "advice I never asked for" stories, vent your frustrations, celebrate wins, & remember you're not alone! Plus, you’ll get access to expert masterclasses, templates to streamline your systems, & find accountability partners to keep you moving forward. Femme:Connect Community Page
Trusting Your Gut: Aligning with Your Vision
Ultimately, ladies, the most powerful tool you have is your own intuition. That inner voice, honed by experience, resilience, & a deep understanding of your own business & aspirations, is your most trusted advisor. It’s about learning to filter the noise, to identify what truly resonates with your vision, & to confidently dismiss the rest. Reconnecting with your core purpose can provide the clarity you need to filter the noise & confidently move forward. It's like what Simon Sinek says: Start With Why – knowing your ‘why’ gives you a strong foundation. How We Work/Business Flourish Framework Page
This journey of finding your voice & owning your expertise is not always easy. There will be moments of doubt, times when that "imposter syndrome" monster rears its ugly head. But remember, every challenge, every piece of unsolicited advice you navigate, is an opportunity to strengthen your resolve & deepen your trust in yourself.
So, the next time someone offers their two cents on your business when you’ve barely got a second to yourself, take a deep breath, remember your “why”, & politely, confidently, & firmly trust your own gut. You've got this.
What's one piece of unsolicited advice you've received that made you laugh (or cry)? Share in the comments below!
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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