Pricing for Profit: Femmeprenista's Guide to Ditch the Guilt
- (Admin) The Thrivology Company
- Dec 23, 2024
- 7 min read
Stop Underselling Your Brilliance: A Femmeprenista's Guide to Pricing for Profit (and Ditching the Guilt)
Ever catch yourself staring at your pricing page, second-guessing every single number? Feeling that familiar twist in your gut, that little voice whispering, "Is this really what I'm worth?" Honey, you are not alone. So many of us, especially as mums juggling a million things, fall into the trap of underselling our brilliance. We undervalue our expertise, our time, the sheer magic we bring to the table. And honestly, it's time to stop. Right now.
Honestly, I get it. Trying to build a business while wrangling four kids & two energetic Miniature Pinschers (Cappuccino, the slightly more sensible mum-dog, & Espresso, her whirlwind puppy-daughter) is its own special kind of circus. One minute I'm crafting a marketing email, the next I'm refereeing a pillow fight, or extracting a chewed-up business card from Espresso's mischievous little jaws – all while trying to look vaguely presentable for that impending Zoom call. And in the midst of that beautiful chaos, it’s easy to let self-doubt creep in, especially when it comes to asking for what we deserve. There have been times when I've literally walked into client discovery calls feeling like a hot mess, having just wrestled my toddler into her highchair while simultaneously rescuing my laptop from a puddle of… let's just say it involved glitter glue & a rogue sippy cup. It's a real, messy, utterly relatable kind of juggling act, & it's okay if you feel that sometimes. Early in my own coaching journey, I drastically underpriced my signature programme, driven by a fear of being "too expensive." It took months of barely breaking even – & a very frank conversation with my partner about our financial goals – to realize that undervaluing myself wasn't helping anyone.
But here's the truth, lovely: underselling isn't serving you, your family, or the clients you're meant to impact. It's not sustainable, & it certainly won't fuel the growth you crave. Remember, our goal at Femmeprenista isn’t just about making a living; it’s about designing a life. A life where you have the freedom, flexibility, & financial abundance to be truly present for your family, pursue your passions, & build a legacy you’re proud of. And that starts with pricing your offerings for profit.
Why We Undersell (and How to Break Free)
Let's get real. There are some deep-rooted reasons why we, as women, often struggle with rates. It's not just about the numbers; it's about the mindset.
Fear of Judgment: We worry about what people will think, especially other women. Will they think we're being greedy? Too ambitious? Will they judge us for prioritizing our businesses alongside motherhood? This fear is real, but it's a cage we need to unlock. Remember, you're not responsible for other people's opinions. Your value doesn’t diminish based on their perception. As Simone Biles powerfully puts it, "Don't allow people to dim your shine because they are blinded. Tell them to put on some sunglasses."
Perfectionism & Procrastination: We tell ourselves, "I need to perfect my offer before I can charge a premium price." This is a dangerous cycle. I've caught myself in this trap more times than I'd like to admit! Early in my business, this fear kept me stuck in a cycle of tweaking & refining my website for weeks, instead of launching & getting actual client feedback. I felt like everything had to be perfect before I could confidently put a price on my coaching services. Turns out, perfect is an illusion, & action beats perfection every time. Start where you are, with what you have. You can always refine & adjust as you grow.
Imposter Syndrome: That nagging voice that whispers, "Who am I to charge this much?" It's imposter syndrome, that sneaky little gremlin that tries to convince us we're not good enough, even when we have the skills, experience, & proven results. This resonates so deeply with what I've seen in my ongoing PhD research on female entrepreneurship – even highly successful women often battle this internal critic. My research has shown that nearly 70% of the women I've interviewed identified imposter syndrome as a major barrier to setting premium prices. Honey, you are enough. Own your expertise, celebrate your wins, & remember why you started this journey in the first place. You’re not a beginner – even if this is your first year in business – because you bring a wealth of life experience & unique skills to the table. Remember that.
Shifting the Mindset: Owning Your Worth & Pricing
Here's the thing: pricing isn't just about covering your costs; it's about valuing your expertise, your time, the transformation you offer your clients. It’s about building a sustainable business that supports your dreams & your family. There was a time, after the birth of my third daughter, when I was so consumed with guilt about charging what I knew I was worth that I actually ended up underselling my services for months. It felt wrong to prioritize my business when I also had this tiny human who needed me. But, you know what? Not valuing my work only created more stress, because the lack of income meant more pressure on the family finances. It took some serious mindset work – & a lot of pep talks from my partner – to realize that my thriving is essential for our thriving.
Think about it this way: if you're constantly undercharging, you're not just undervaluing yourself; you're also undervaluing your clients. You're not giving them the opportunity to invest in the full power of your brilliance. When you charge what you're worth, you're not just making a profit; you're creating an environment where your clients can truly thrive. They are investing in their own transformation, & their commitment is amplified by the premium they pay.
Developing a resilient, empowered mindset is essential for navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship, & it's a central pillar of the Femmeprenista Business Flourish Framework, particularly the FOCUS pillar, which helps you identify and overcome those limiting beliefs, enabling you to truly step into your power when setting prices that reflect your worth.
Practical Strategies for Confident Pricing
Okay, so how do we actually do this? How do we move from fear & self-doubt to confident, profitable pricing? Here are a few practical strategies to get you started:
Focus on the Value You Deliver: Shift your focus from what you’re charging to the transformation you offer your clients. What problem are you solving? What results are they achieving because of your work? Quantify the value whenever possible.
Actionable Step: Identify 3 tangible results your clients achieve because of your work. How does their life or business change after working with you? Can you quantify those results in terms of increased revenue, time saved, or other measurable metrics?
Research Your Market & Pricing: Look at what other coaches or service providers in your niche are charging. This isn’t about copying them, but about understanding the market landscape & positioning yourself strategically.
Actionable Step: Create a spreadsheet listing 5-10 competitors or similar service providers. Note their pricing, packages, and the target audience they serve. Where do you fit within that spectrum?
Create Packages & Tiers: Offer different packages or tiers of service at varying price points. This gives your clients options & allows you to cater to different budgets & needs. This is exactly how we structure our services here at Femmeprenista – from our Spark Programme designed for Foundation Builders to our high-level Momentum Coaching for those Scaling Leaders, we have a pathway for every entrepreneur.
Actionable Step: Outline 3 different package options for your signature service: a basic package, a premium package, and a VIP package. What are the key differences in features, support, and access?
Test & Refine Your Pricing: Pricing isn’t a one-and-done deal. Be willing to test different pricing strategies & refine your approach based on feedback & results. After all, there's no failure, only feedback! This echoes the NLP "Beliefs of Excellence" I'm exploring in my PhD research. My early research suggests that entrepreneurs who regularly review & adjust their pricing based on market feedback tend to experience more consistent revenue growth.
Actionable Step: Review your pricing every quarter. Analyze your sales data, client feedback, and market trends. Are your prices aligned with the value you deliver and the current market landscape?
Communicate Your Value Clearly: Don't just list your services; articulate the transformation your clients experience. Use powerful language, tell compelling stories, & showcase testimonials that highlight the impact of your work. This is particularly important to avoid those cringe-worthy conversations where you feel like your value isn’t being recognized.
Actionable Step: Write a compelling sales page for your signature offer that focuses on the transformation your client experiences. Use testimonials and case studies to back up your claims.
Ditching the Guilt: You Deserve to Thrive
This is a big one, ladies. We often feel guilty about charging for our services, especially as mums. We tell ourselves we should be giving our time away, that we shouldn't be prioritizing our businesses alongside our families. But here's the thing: when you thrive, your family thrives. When you build a successful, profitable business, you're not just creating financial abundance; you're also creating freedom, flexibility, & the space to be truly present for the people you love. As Lisa Nichols so beautifully puts it, "Your job is to fill your own cup, so it overflows." Lisa, a renowned motivational speaker & transformational coach, truly understands the challenges women face in balancing personal fulfillment with business success.
Remember, you are not just a mum; you are a multifaceted, brilliant entrepreneur with unique gifts to share with the world. Own your worth, price your offerings for profit, & ditch the guilt. You deserve to thrive, & your family deserves to see you shine.
It can feel lonely, right? Especially when you're navigating the rollercoaster of entrepreneurship & motherhood. Share one win you had this week in the comments below! Come join our supportive community over at Femme:Connect. It's a space for sharing wins, asking those "silly" questions (we've all been there!), connecting with other amazing women on a similar journey, & gaining access to masterclasses & resources specifically designed for women like you - busy mums building their empires! Imagine having a supportive network cheering you on, helping you troubleshoot those tech gremlins, & sharing brilliant strategies that actually work for a mum's schedule. That's the magic of Femme:Connect.
Ready to take your business to the next level & really nail your pricing strategy? Our Momentum Coaching programme is designed for women like you – Scaling Leaders ready to create a sustainable, profitable business.
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!
If you're looking for a supportive community of like-minded female entrepreneurs who get it, why not pop over and say hello?
We'd love to welcome you!
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