Persuasion for Female Entrepreneurs: Wolf of Femme Street Tips

The Wolf of Femme Street: Reframing Persuasion for Good

Struggling with sales? The Wolf of Femme Street shows you how to connect authentically, build trust, & close deals with confidence. Read now!

Okay, let’s dive into something a little…unconventional. I know, I know – Jordan Belfort? The Wolf of Wall Street? On FemmeprenistaFemmeprenista? Bear with me.

While his tactics were, shall we say, colourfulcolourful (and definitely NOT something I endorse – remember my whole thing about ethical business practices? No lines of coke in sight here!), there’s no denying the man knew how to sell. And honestly, as female entrepreneurs, selling is often the piece we struggle with most.

I’ve been there. The crippling fear of coming across as "pushy," the awkward silences on sales calls, the internal cringe at the thought of “closing the deal.” It can be tough, particularly when we're juggling everything else that life throws our way, like discovering the baby has used your freshly printed client proposal as a teething toy, just minutes before an important video call. (Yes, that actually happened). Just last week, I was about to start a live training, all set with my slides & notes, only to find my six-year-old had meticulously "redecorated" my office wall with all the colours of her felt-tip pen collection – a rainbow explosion of creativity that definitely clashed with my brand colours. But hey, this is when the system really matters! Because systems, as I always tell my Momentum clients, are what keep the rollercoaster going. You might twist your ankle but the difference is you get back up again.

If you're in the early stages of building your business, finding your voice, and securing those first clients, these feelings can be particularly intense. Sound familiar? Thought so!

But what if I told you that persuasion, done right, can be a force for good? What if it’s not about manipulation, but about confidently & authentically communicating the incredible value you bring to your clients?

That's where building a business on a foundation of trust & genuine connection comes in. I'm going to unpack those infamous sales techniques, but we're going to give them a Femmeprenista makeover. Think less "boiler room" & more "kitchen table chat with your business bestie". We'll dive into how you can genuinely connect with your audience, build trust, & create win-win scenarios where everyone feels amazing, not just about the sale, but about the entire experience.

The Power of Connection (No Straight Lines Required!)

One of the biggest takeaways from Belfort’s (admittedly dodgy) approach is the importance of building rapport. Now, I'm definitely not suggesting you adopt his over-the-top methods. But there's something to be said for making a genuine connection with your audience.

Think about it: People buy from people they like & trust. It's basic human psychology. Remember that time you were desperately trying to find a last-minute birthday cake for your six-year-old, and the lovely baker at the local shop not only had the perfect unicorn cake but also threw in some extra sprinkles “just because”? You felt seen, right? Understood? You probably went back there, didn’t you?

That's the power of human connection. It's not about schmoozing; it’s about understanding your ideal client’s world. What are their struggles? Their aspirations? Their “trying to record a podcast while the dog barks incessantly at the mailman” moments? (Because trust me, even with four kids & two dogs, my home office is often a symphony of organised chaos!). This isn't just something I know from my personal experience – it's a consistent theme emerging from my ongoing PhD research into Black female entrepreneurship: that finding community is key to overcoming isolation and finding your voice.

Storytelling: The Secret Weapon of Persuasion

One of the things I've learned from all the amazing communicators I admire, like Lisa Nichols & Rory Sutherland, is the sheer power of storytelling. Lisa's ability to connect with audiences on an emotional level has been hugely inspiring, while Rory's insights on the psychology of persuasion have shaped how I teach marketing. My two-year-old, bless her heart, is a budding storyteller herself, particularly when recounting tales of how she 'helped' Espresso (our puppy) dig a new flowerbed in the garden (which was, in fact, my carefully curated herb patch). It can be tough, though, right?, finding those quiet moments to craft youryour stories when you're in the thick of the motherhood juggle.

But in business, storytelling isis your secret weapon. It's how you make your message land, stick, and resonate – not just on a logical level, but on a deeply emotional, human one, which as Rory puts it so well, stories are PDF files of human information. It's how you take something that might seem dry or technical (like, say, systems for client onboarding) & turn it into something relatable & human.

Think about your own journey. What challenges have you overcome? What lessons have you learned? Share those stories! They will resonate with your audience far more than any generic marketing spiel. For instance, completing my MBA while also navigating the sleep deprivation of a newborn (my second daughter) & the sheer mental load of managing a household and a demanding program taught me so much about prioritizing, systematizing, and the non-negotiable power of asking for – and accepting – help, even when it feels vulnerable. Those early months were like a constant state of "brain fog" but they also taught me the incredible strength I had within me to keep going, a strength I now help my clients discover in themselves.

Building Trust: No Bull, Just Value

One thing we absolutely do NOT take from Belfort is the manipulation & shady tactics. At Femmeprenista, we're all about building trust through authentic value delivery.

This means genuinely caring about your clients’ success. It means going above & beyond to provide support & guidance. It means being transparent & honest, even when it's a bit uncomfortable. My own early venture, Nisbett & George (sparked by a 'now or never' moment during my final year at UEL when the E-Factor competition came up, just as I was a new mum), taught me the hard way about the importance of a shared vision & equal effort – a real "Little Red Hen" moment! While that venture didn't achieve the success I'd envisioned (a hard lesson about partnership dynamics and the challenges of being a mother-entrepreneur!), it solidified my "all-in" philosophy and taught me to be discerning about the people I collaborate with. It's about finding your tribe, something I later discovered at UEL after a less fulfilling start at another university. What's youryour unique value proposition? What problems do you solve for your clients? Focus on thatthat! And remember to make that value shine with youryour unique voice. As Adrienne Weriner – an incredible coach & mentor – so powerfully puts it, "It's time to enter your unhinged content era!" Say what youyou want to say in the way youyou want to say it, not how you think you "should". It's about being unapologetically authentic – even a bit "spicy" – to attract your ideal client.

Handling Objections like a Pro (with Kindness & Curiosity)

Now, let’s be real, objections areare going to happen. It’s part of the process. But here’s the thing: objections aren't rejections; they're opportunities for deeper connection & understanding. What I've learned from my coaching qualification (which, by the way, I did while pregnant with my third daughter – talk about a juggle!) is that the GROW model is incredibly useful here.

Think of it like this: When your toddler throws a mega tantrum because they're convinced the broccoli on their plate is actually a miniature tree trying to attack them (toddler logic, right?), it’s not a personal attack (though it can definitely feel like one sometimes!). It's a communication. They're trying to tell you somethingsomething, even if you need a toddler-to-English dictionary to decipher it.

Here's a 3-question framework (inspired by the GROW model) for handling objections with curiosity & kindness:

Uncover the Root: "Can you tell me a bit more about what's making you hesitate?"
Explore Alternatives: "What would need to be different for this to feel like a good fit?"
Empower with Options: "If this isn't the right time, what wouldwould feel like a supportive next step for you?"

The more you understand, the better you can address the concern & offer genuine support. And sometimes, that support isn’t even directly related to your product or service. It might simply be acknowledging their feelings & validating their experience. And then, if relevant, you might gently suggest how your offerings could support their goals, "Look, I've been there too. This is how my Spark program helps women navigate that early fear & overwhelm..."

Closing the Deal: The Confident Invitation

Finally, let's talk closing. I know, for many of us, it's the most dreaded part. But with a Femmeprenista mindset, closing becomes less about "the deal" & more about offering a solution – a tailored solution that fits their unique journey, much like finding the right learning environment did for me at UEL. For instance, in our Launch Programme, after outlining the curriculum, investment details, and answering all their questions, I always close with a simple, "So, does the Launch Programme feel like the right next step for you to finally get your business off the ground?"

Think of it as an invitation. You're extending a hand & saying, "Hey, I believe in you. I believe in your potential. And I believe I can help you get there. Like I said to my mum – I need the help now. That same principle applies to your clients."

Be confident. Be clear. Be enthusiastic. And most importantly, be genuine. This isn't about pressure; it's about offering the support they need to achieve their dreams.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when closing:

Summarize the value: Briefly recap the key benefits of your offer and how it addresses their specific needs. For instance, you might say, "So with the Momentum 1:1 Coaching, you'll not only get tailored strategies for scaling your business but also the mindset coaching to overcome those limiting beliefs that are holding you back, plusplus the support of our amazing community."
Ask for the decision: Don't be afraid to directly ask, "Would you like to move forward?" or "Is this a yes for you?" Clarity is key. And no, you're not being pushy, you're being decisive for them!
Address lingering questions: Offer to answer any remaining questions or concerns they might have. This final check-in builds confidence & helps solidify their empowered "yes".

So, there you have it – the Wolf of Femme Street, reimagined. Persuasion, done the Femmeprenista way, is about genuine connection, valuable storytelling, & building trust. It's about empowering your clients, not manipulating them. It's about creating win-win scenarios where everyone feels amazing. Launching Femmeprenista itself was a huge leap of faith. I vividly remember questioning if I had what it took – the imposter syndrome was real. There were moments of intense doubt, especially juggling a newborn, a toddler, and trying to build a business from scratch. But my "why" – my deep desire to empower women like you – kept me going. And you know what? It wasn't easy, but every small step forward, every connection made, every client success reinforced that I was on the right path. And that same resilience, that same commitment to consistent, smart action, is what I know will fuel youryour success too.

Ready to validate your business idea and confidently attract your first clients? Our Spark Program is designed to guide you through those crucial early stages, so you can build a strong foundation & launch with momentum. Find out more here:

Carlene Nisbett

Founder & CEO, Femmeprenista

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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