Overcoming Self-Doubt: A Guide for Female Entrepreneurs

That Nagging Question: "Who Am I to Do This?" (And How I Finally Answered It)

Let's be honest, lovely. Ever stared at your brilliant business idea, heart pounding with excitement one minute, then completely frozen by self-doubt the next? That sneaky little voice whispers, "Who are you to do this? You're not an expert. You're just... you."

Yeah, I've been there. Deep in the trenches of "Who am I?" And it's a place many of us Femmeprenistas find ourselves, especially right at the beginning. When the dream feels massive & we feel…well, not quite massive enough.When the dream feels massive & we feel…well, not quite massive enough.

So, grab a cuppa (or a glass of wine, because honestly, it's wine o'clock somewhere!), settle in, & let's have a real chat about imposter syndrome, that pesky inner critic, & how to silence the darn thing so you can finally get started. It's a game changer, trust me.

My Own "Who Am I?" Moment (Spoiler: It Involved Fashion & a Lot of Nerves)

You see, this whole "imposter" thing isn't some abstract concept for me. It's a feeling I know intimately. Honestly, even now, with years of experience, an MBA under my belt, a PhD in progress, & four kids bringing the beautiful chaos, the self-doubt gremlin still tries to sneak in sometimes. Just last week, I was preparing for a webinar on AI-driven marketing strategies – something I'm genuinely passionate about & have tons of experience with – & that voice popped up: "Who are you to teach people about this? What if they see right through you?" Cringe, but true. It just shows that this gremlin doesn't discriminate.

I remember it vividly at university. I was at the University of East London (UEL) – finally in a place that truly fit, after a less-than-inspiring start at another uni. I was studying Fashion Design & Marketing, loving every minute, but then came the E-Factor competition.

It was a big deal. A chance to showcase our designs, pitch our ideas, the whole shebang. & there I was, a young mum, feeling the pressure. I knew my designs were good, but that nagging voice kept saying, "Who are you to compete with these other talented people? You're just Carlene, juggling nappies & design deadlines." Sound familiar? Thought so!

I almost didn't enter. Almost let that fear win. But then something shifted. I realised I had a unique perspective, a story to tell, & designs that deserved to be seen. My designs were good, & I had something valuable to offer, full stop. This wasn't just about winning a competition; it was about proving to myself that I could step into my power, even with all the mum-guilt & the fear of not being "expert" enough. What I learned from that experience, looking back, is that sometimes the biggest hurdle is our own internal dialogue.

This moment, this early entrepreneurial spark (though my real entrepreneurial journey started on the playground selling sweets – a story for another time!), was crucial. It taught me that overcoming self-doubt isn't about magically becoming someone else; it's about embracing who you already are, even with all the messy, beautiful imperfections. It also showed me, even then, how important the right environment & support system can be. UEL, with its diverse & encouraging atmosphere, was the complete opposite of my first university experience, where I felt lost & out of place. Finding my "tribe" at UEL made all the difference.

From Fashion Faux Pas to Business Breakthrough: The Mindset Shift That Changed Everything

So, what changed? How did I go from almost letting fear paralyze me to taking that leap of faith?

It was all about mindset. I had to actively choose to shift my perspective, to reframe that "Who am I?" question from a place of fear to a place of power. You know that feeling, right?

Instead of "Who am I to do this?", I started asking, "Who am I not to do this?" What right did that little voice have to hold me back from sharing my gifts with the world? I realised that my experiences – even the challenging ones – were my strengths, not my weaknesses. They gave me a unique perspective, a deep understanding of the juggle so many women face. & honestly, who actually has the bandwidth for complex strategies unless they’re made super simple?

& that, my friend, is the key. It's about recognizing that your experiences, your journey, your unique blend of skills & passions, are precisely what qualify you. You don't need to be anyone else. You just need to be you. Lisa Nichols beautifully captures this when she says, "You are the designer of your destiny. You are the author of your story." Her words always remind me of the power we have to shape our own narratives. Own it, lovely. Similarly, Simone Biles' powerful declaration, "I'm not the next Usain Bolt or Michael Phelps. I'm the first Simone Biles," reminds us that true strength lies in embracing our own unique path, not in trying to be someone else.

Practical Steps to Silence Your Inner Critic (Because Nobody Has Time for That Negativity)

Okay, lovely, enough mindset chat. Let’s get practical. How do you actually do this? How do you silence that inner critic & take those first crucial steps?

Try this 3-step checklist:

1. Identify & Name It: Notice that critical voice. What does it say? Write it down. Literally give it a name (like "Debbie Downer" or "Negative Nelly"). This helps create distance & makes it less powerful. Example: "You're not qualified to coach."

2. Flip the Script: Challenge each negative thought with an empowering question or affirmation. Example: "What if my unique experiences are exactly what my clients need?"

3. Take Action: Do one small thing that scares you (post that video, send that email, raise your prices). Action is the antidote to fear. Example: Schedule a free discovery call with a potential client.

Here are a few more "Juggler's Shortcuts" to get you started:

• Acknowledge the Voice: Don't try to ignore it. The more you resist, the louder it gets. Acknowledge its presence, but don't let it run the show. Like those times Espresso, our hyper puppy, decides to bark at a passing leaf – acknowledge the noise, but don't let it derail your entire work call!

• Reframe the Question: Turn "Who am I to do this?" into "Who am I not to do this? What if my unique perspective is exactly what the world needs?" What if your experience as a mum, juggling a million things at once, is precisely what makes you the perfect coach for other busy mums?

• Focus on Your Strengths: What are you naturally good at? What lights you up? Are you a whiz at organization, like my second daughter who can plan a picnic down to the last detail? Or are you a creative powerhouse, like my eldest who can turn a pile of scraps into a fashion masterpiece? Let these strengths guide you, & don't get bogged down in comparing yourself to others (because comparison is the thief of joy, isn’t it?).

• Celebrate Small Wins: Starting a business can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re also dealing with things like a toddler’s sudden obsession with emptying the kitchen cupboards just as you're about to start a Zoom meeting. Break it down into small, manageable steps, & celebrate every single victory, no matter how small – from finally setting up your email list, to landing your first client, to simply carving out 30 minutes of uninterrupted work time. This builds momentum & reinforces your belief in your ability to make progress.

• Find Your Tribe: Connect with other female entrepreneurs who get it. They understand the unique challenges of the school holidays stretching out before you, or the guilt of needing to focus on work when your little one wants your attention. Sharing your journey with a supportive community can be incredibly empowering. (Psst…our Femme:Connect Community Page community is an amazing place to start!)

Ready to Take the Leap?

Overcoming self-doubt isn't a destination; it's a journey. There will be days when that little voice creeps back in. But the more you practice these mindset shifts & take consistent action, the quieter it will become. Remember, like learning to ride a bike (I’m thinking of my daughter & all those wobbly starts!), it takes practice, patience, & a healthy dose of self-belief. You might fall a few times, but you get back up, dust yourself off, & keep going.

What's one tiny step you can take today to move forward? Share it in the comments below! Let's cheer each other on. It can feel lonely, right? Especially when you're juggling so much. Share one win this week 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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