Radical Personal Agency: Entrepreneurship on Your Terms
- (Admin) The Thrivology Company
- Mar 14, 2024
- 7 min read
Questioning the Status Quo: Carving Your Entrepreneurial Path with Radical Personal Agency
Ever felt like a square peg in a round hole, lovely? That persistent little voice whispering, "This just isn't quite right for me"? Maybe it was a job, a course, or even a "standard" system that everyone else seemed to thrive in, but for you, it just… grated. Sound familiar? Then you're absolutely in the right place.
For so long, many of us, especially as women, have been subtly (or not so subtly!) encouraged to fit in, follow the prescribed path, & avoid rocking the boat. But what if those moments of "mis-fit" aren't failures on our part? What if, instead, they're powerful signposts, gently nudging us towards something truer, something uniquely ours? If you're just starting out as a Foundation Builder, trying to figure out how to do things your way, this is for you.
My own journey has been punctuated by these pivotal moments – times when established systems felt constricting, & times when a proactive search led to profound discovery. These experiences didn't just shape me; they forged an unshakeable conviction that the most powerful way to build a business, & indeed a life you love, is by embracing radical personal agency & daring to carve your own path.
When the System Fails You: Lessons from a Little Girl Who Dared to Question
My first real taste of "mis-fit" came early, in primary school. I remember feeling like the system simply wasn't working for me. I was losing confidence, afraid to ask questions, & generally feeling a bit lost & unseen. It wasn't that I wasn't capable, but the environment just wasn't nurturing my way of learning or my inquisitive nature. It was a tough time, & it taught me a very early lesson about how the wrong environment can stifle even the brightest spark.
Thankfully, I had a father who was a fierce advocate. I vividly recall him standing up for me, quite literally sometimes, challenging teachers who seemed more intent on quiet compliance than on fostering curiosity. Witnessing his conviction in ensuring my voice wasn't silenced planted a seed: the understanding that sometimes, you have to question, to push back, to seek an alternative when the status quo just isn’t serving you. Honestly, that experience, though challenging, was one of the first moments that highlighted the importance of not just accepting things as they are, but courageously seeking what could be. It also taught me to listen to that inner voice, that intuition, which tells you when something isn't right.
This deep understanding of the need for tailored support & an environment that fosters your unique strengths is exactly why Femmeprenista exists – to help you find your purpose & the right path forward. #Let'sConnect Femmeprenista Female Entrepreneur Support: Find Your Purpose
"I Don't Just Do What I'm Told": The Strategic Power of Proactive Questioning
That early experience, & others that followed, cemented a core part of who I am. As I often say, "I don't just do what I'm told. I actually question: Is this the best way of doing things?" Now, this isn't about being difficult or contrarian for the sake of it. Far from it. For me, it's a strategic approach to problem-solving & innovation. It’s about genuine curiosity & a drive to find better, more aligned, more effective solutions – in business, & in life.
Think about it: how many "standard operating procedures" in the world exist simply because "that's how it's always been done"? As entrepreneurs, our ability to question those norms, to look at a problem with fresh eyes & ask, "But what if…?" is one of our greatest assets. It’s how we spot gaps in the market, how we innovate, & how we create businesses that truly serve our clients & ourselves in a more meaningful way. This proactive questioning helps us develop the mental resilience & clarity needed to navigate the entrepreneurial path. So much of success begins with this inner work – developing that unshakeable self-belief. That's why mindset, vision, & overcoming blocks are so important; it's about sharpening your FOCUS.
Finding Your "Fit": The Active Pursuit of Thriving Environments
My academic journey after school further highlighted the power of personal agency in finding your "fit." My first university experience wasn't quite right; again, that feeling of mis-fit. But instead of just pushing through, I took a step back, re-evaluated, & listened to my intuition. This led me to the University of East London (UEL) to study Fashion Design with Marketing.
And honestly? It was like coming home. I found my "tribe" – people who thought like me, who shared my passions.
The course structure, with its unique blend of creativity & solid business principles, just clicked. I was a young mother at the time, my eldest daughter was a baby, but in that supportive, stimulating environment, I thrived. Finding my people & a place where I truly belonged at UEL was transformative. It underscored the power of connection, which is why we created Femme:Connect – a global community for ambitious female entrepreneurs to find their tribe & support each other in forging their own paths. Femme:Connect Community Page
This wasn't a passive occurrence; it was an active pursuit. It involved questioning my initial path, taking ownership of my unhappiness, & making intentional choices to find an environment where I could flourish. It taught me that we don't have to passively accept situations that drain us; we have the power to seek out or create spaces that energise & uplift us, making sure our well-being is prioritised so our business energises rather than drains us.
The MBA Revelation: From Corporate "Cog" to Entrepreneurial Conviction
Years later, after navigating the corporate world – where, despite valuable experiences at places like Apple, I often felt like a "replaceable cog" & yearned for more direct impact & autonomy – another pivotal moment of questioning arose. After my third child, the thought of returning to a corporate structure that felt increasingly misaligned filled me with a sense of dread. Honestly, I vividly remember thinking, "This just seems ridiculous, there must be a better way."
This led me to pursue an MBA at Cranfield University. Initially, I thought it would open doors to more senior corporate roles. But the universe, as it often does, had other plans! The MBA was intense, inspiring & incredibly clarifying. I remember thinking during the taster day it was "like having a little mini explosion go off my head!" You know that feeling when everything just clicks? This was new information, crazy information, & I loved it. Immersing myself in strategic business principles didn't lead me to a better corporate job; it powerfully reconnected me to that entrepreneurial spark I’d had since selling sweets in the playground. I realised that even with a top-tier MBA, climbing the corporate ladder wouldn't necessarily give me the quality of life, the autonomy, or the direct impact I craved. The central question became, "Isn't life about the quality of it, not just how much you've got in the pocket?"
That was it. The conviction was sealed. My path was entrepreneurship. It was about taking all that knowledge, all those experiences of "mis-fit" & "discovery," & channeling them into building something of my own, on my own terms. The MBA shifted my mindset from, "How can I climb the corporate ladder?" to "How can I build my own ladder & help other women climb it with me?" It also helped me connect with amazing mentors & build a strategic network - that alone was worth the investment!
How Lived Experience Forges Unshakeable Philosophy
These formative experiences – feeling failed by a system, the courage to question (which, by the way, I still do constantly!), the active search for the right environment, the realisation that true fulfillment lay in autonomy – they aren't just anecdotes. They are the bedrock of my core philosophy, & by extension, the ethos of Femmeprenista. They forged my unwavering belief in personal responsibility & the profound importance of personal agency as the cornerstones of entrepreneurial success. Even when I started Femmeprenista, there were times when I felt like I had no clue what I was doing (hello, imposter syndrome!). I even remember launching my first website with glaring typos that stayed up for weeks – cringe, but true! But every stumble taught me something crucial about what my clients really needed.
It's why we champion an approach that is empowering & holistic. We understand that your journey is unique. We know that sometimes the "rules" don't apply, & that true success comes from aligning your business with your authentic self, your values, & your vision for your life. It’s about understanding that your mindset, your clarity of vision, & your willingness to take ownership are paramount.
Your Unconventional Path? That's Your Unique Strength, Lovely.
So, if your journey to (or through) entrepreneurship feels a bit non-linear, if you've had your share of "mis-fit" moments, if you're someone who constantly questions if there's a "better way" – I see you. & I want you to know that these aren't weaknesses. They are your strengths. & remember, as Myron Golden says, "To become the tree, you have to cease being the seed."
Your tendency to question is what will drive innovation in your business. Your experiences of "mis-fit" have gifted you with resilience & a deeper understanding of what truly aligns with you. Your unconventional path has equipped you with a unique perspective that no one else has. These are invaluable assets in building an authentic, fulfilling, & successful business.
Embrace your journey, all of it. Own your story. Because your unique response to the world, your courage to question, to seek, & to build in a way that honours you, is precisely what will shape your extraordinary outcomes. My unconventional path isn't just my story; it's woven into the very fabric of Femmeprenista, where we champion every woman's courage to question, adapt, & lead with agency. About Femmeprenista
The world doesn't need more people trying to fit into pre-defined boxes. It needs your unique brilliance, unleashed.
Here are a few things to help you embrace your unique path:
Reflect on your "mis-fit" moments: What did they teach you about what you don't want? How can you use that to guide your choices?
Identify your core values: What truly matters to you in business & life? Use these as your compass when making decisions.
Embrace experimentation: Don't be afraid to try new things & pivot when something isn't working. That's how you discover what truly aligns with you.
Connect with your tribe: Join supportive communities like Femme:ConnectFemme:Connect Community Page to share experiences & learn from others.
P.S. Ready to step into that brilliance & start questioning the systems holding you back? The Spark Program helps you validate your business idea, define your ideal client, & create a solid action plan, so you can start building your business on your terms!
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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