Strategic Coaching for Mum CEOs: Thrive, Not Just Survive!
- (Admin) The Thrivology Company
- Jun 22, 2024
- 7 min read
Beyond the Hype: A CEO Mum's Perspective on How Strategic Coaching Actually Transforms Your Entrepreneurial Journey (And Why It's Not Just Another Expense) 👍
Let’s be brutally honest for a moment, shall we? As a fellow ambitious female entrepreneur – & a mum of four juggling a PhD, a business, & the delightful chaos that comes with it all – I know your plate isn’t just full; it’s probably got things precariously balanced on the edges, threatening to topple over at any given moment. Ever feel like that? I get it. I sometimes joke that my spirit animal is a plate-spinning circus performer... albeit one fuelled by caffeine & the occasional stolen chocolate bar!
You hear the buzzwords: "Scale your business!" "Crush your goals!" "Invest in yourself!" And somewhere in that whirlwind of advice, "strategic coaching" pops up. For many, especially if you're a Scaling Leader – an entrepreneur with proven traction looking to level up – it might sound like just another item on an endless to-do list, or worse, another expense category that makes your palms sweat. Honestly, I get it. There was a time when, looking at the sheer mountain of tasks before me, I wondered if coaching was just… well, a bit fluffy. A luxury I couldn’t quite justify.
But here’s what I’ve learned, not just as a coach myself, but as a CEO who’s navigated the entrepreneurial rollercoaster, completed an MBA while nursing a baby, & is now deep in doctoral research on female entrepreneurship: the right kind of strategic coaching isn't a fluffy luxury. It's not just another expense. It’s one of the most critical, game-changing investments you can make in yourself & the future of your business. Especially when you’re a mother, trying to build an empire while also ensuring you’re present for the school plays, the bedtime stories, & the moments your toddler wants to proudly show you their latest, slightly-too-sticky artwork. I remember once missing my eldest's school play (it was "The Magical Tree," I think!) because I was too engrossed in a project... & I felt awful. That was the turning point that lead me to prioritizing ruthless systems & strategic support to avoid those painful clashes. And even with those systems, I remember one particularly chaotic week where I accidentally double-booked myself & ended up rushing between two different school events, feeling like a total failure! It’s a constant juggle, right?
So, let’s pull back the curtain, move beyond the hype, & talk about how strategic coaching actually transforms your journey from my perspective – as a CEO, a mum, & someone who is passionately committed to seeing female entrepreneurs like you truly thrive. What do you say?
What Strategic Coaching Isn’t (And Why That Matters)
First, let’s clear up a few misconceptions. Strategic coaching, the kind that creates real, lasting transformation, isn’t:
A magic wand: No coach, however brilliant, can do the work for you. You are the powerhouse of your business. Your vision, your effort, your passion – those are irreplaceable.
Generic, one-size-fits-all advice: If you wanted a textbook answer, you’d read a textbook, right? True coaching delves into your specific business, your unique challenges, & your personal aspirations. It’s tailored, bespoke, & deeply personal.
Just a friendly chat (though it should feel supportive!): While a great coaching relationship is built on trust & rapport (like a good cuppa with a brilliant friend who really gets it), its purpose is to drive strategic action & tangible results.
A sign of weakness: Quite the opposite! Seeking strategic guidance is a sign of strength, wisdom, & a commitment to excellence. The most successful people I know, in any field, have mentors & coaches. As I often say, "I don't just dig the hole I'm told to; I actually question Is this the best way of doing things?" & sometimes, an external expert perspective is essential to find that best way.
Understanding what it isn’t helps us appreciate what truly impactful coaching is.
The CEO Mindset: More Than Just a Title
One of the first, & most profound, transformations that strategic coaching facilitates is the cultivation of a true CEO mindset. This is something I am incredibly passionate about, & it’s a cornerstone of how we help women flourish here at Femmeprenista. It’s about more than just calling yourself a CEO; it’s about embodying it.
This means:
Gaining Unshakeable Clarity: Coaching helps you cut through the noise & the self-doubt to get crystal clear on your vision, your mission, & your core values. It helps you define what success truly means to you, beyond the external pressures or comparisons. My own journey through my MBA was pivotal in sharpening this, but ongoing coaching helps maintain that focus amidst the daily whirlwind.
Overcoming Limiting Beliefs: We all have them – those pesky inner critics that whisper, "Am I good enough?" "Can I really charge that much?" "What if I fail?". Strategic coaching provides a safe, supportive space to identify, challenge, & dismantle these beliefs. It’s about understanding that things like imposter syndrome or fear are normal, but they don't have to drive your decisions. The Femme:Connect Community Page offers a supportive space to explore those deeper mindset blocks.
Embracing Personal Responsibility & Smart Action: This is huge for me. While we acknowledge systemic challenges, true empowerment comes from owning your journey & your results. A coach isn't there to give you all the answers, but to help you find your own, to encourage you to take smart, aligned action, & to hold you accountable to your own brilliance. It's about working smart, not just hard – a lesson I’ve learned & relearned navigating my own business growth alongside my PhD & family life. You can read a bit more about my path & how these experiences shaped my belief in this About Carlene Nisbett.
Cutting Through the Overwhelm: Strategy, Systems & Sanity
If you’re a mother running a business, overwhelm can feel like your constant companion. Your to-do list has its own to-do list, right? Strategic coaching is like a powerful decluttering tool for your business. It helps you:
Develop Laser-Focused Strategies: Instead of throwing spaghetti at the wall & hoping something sticks (we’ve all been there!), coaching helps you develop clear, effective strategies for growth that are tailored to your business & your ideal clients. This means understanding how to create marketing that truly resonates & attracts, without feeling salesy or inauthentic.
For example, a coach can help you analyze your ideal client’s online behavior to pinpoint the exact platforms & messages that will resonate, rather than relying on guesswork.
Implement Efficient Systems: Oh, the joy of good systems! Coaching helps you identify where you can streamline, automate (perhaps even using smart AI tools to really supercharge your efficiency), & delegate. This isn't just about being more productive; it's about reclaiming your precious time & energy so you can focus on what you do best – & still have a life outside of work.
Imagine implementing systems that manage client intake smoothly or automate your marketing follow-ups, freeing you up to think bigger.
Think about automating client onboarding with a simple Trello board or using Calendly to eliminate the endless back-&-forth of scheduling calls.
Navigate Growth Without Burnout: This is critical. So many talented female entrepreneurs burn out because they’re trying to do everything, all the time. Strategic coaching helps you build sustainably. It encourages you to prioritise your well-being, ensuring your business energises rather than drains you.
It’s about creating a rhythm that honours your energy & your family commitments.
This might involve time-blocking your week to include dedicated "family time," or strategically batching similar work tasks to minimize context switching & mental fatigue.
This holistic approach is embedded in The Business Flourish Framework, which guides how we help entrepreneurs thrive across all areas of their business & life.
Why Strategic Coaching is an Investment, Not an Expense (Especially for Mums)
I know the thought of investing in coaching, especially when you’re already watching every penny, can feel daunting. But I want to reframe this for you. Studies show that strategic coaching can yield an ROI of 7x the initial investment Source: Gartner – a testament to its potential impact.
Consider the cost of not having that strategic support:
Wasted Time: How much time do you spend second-guessing, going down rabbit holes, or on trial-&-error?
Lost Opportunities: How many potential clients or growth avenues are missed because you lack clarity or a solid strategy?
Costly Mistakes: How much money is spent on ineffective marketing, the wrong tools, or strategies that simply don’t fit your business?
The Toll of Stress & Burnout: What’s the cost to your health, your relationships, & your joy when you’re constantly overwhelmed & on the verge of burnout?
The right strategic coaching isn't an expense; it's an investment that pays dividends in:
Accelerated Growth: Get to your goals faster with a clear roadmap & expert guidance.
Increased Profitability: Implement strategies that actually work to attract & retain clients.
More Time & Freedom: Create systems that give you back your time & energy.
Greater Confidence & Fulfilment: Build a business that you love, that’s aligned with your values, & that gives you the autonomy you crave.
For mothers in business, this is even more crucial. Our time is finite, our energy precious. Investing in support that helps us work smarter, be more focused, & avoid burnout isn't a luxury; it’s a necessity for building a business that allows us to be the entrepreneurs and the mothers we want to be. It’s about moving from feeling like the Little Red Hen, doing everything all by herself, to having a trusted partner who truly gets it & helps you bake that metaphorical cake with more ease & joy.
Finding Your Voice & Thriving
Ultimately, strategic coaching is about empowerment. It’s about providing you with the clarity, accountability, & expert partnership you need to cut through the noise, overcome your challenges, & build a truly fulfilling & impactful business.
3 Steps to Finding Your Voice & Thriving:
Embrace Your Story: Share your journey, vulnerabilities & all. Connect with your audience authentically.
Amplify Your Expertise: Stand confidently in your knowledge. Provide value that transforms lives.
Thrive Holistically: Build a business aligned with your life & values. This should enrich your life & help you make a positive impact.
It’s about moving from just surviving the entrepreneurial journey to truly thriving in it, beautiful chaos & all.
If you’re tired of the hype & ready for real transformation, if you’re a Sofia-Type for Scaling Leaders & looking for a strategic partner to help you build a business that truly flourishes without sacrificing your sanity or your family time, then perhaps it’s time to explore what Momentum 1:1 Coaching Momentum Coaching could look like for you.
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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