Thriving Female Entrepreneur: Own the Corporate World

Thriving, Not Just Surviving: How Female Entrepreneurs Can Own the Corporate World

Right, let's have a real talk. How many times have you felt like a square peg trying to jam yourself into a round hole in the corporate world? Like you're speaking a different language, playing a different game, with rules you never agreed to? If you're an entrepreneur, especially a mum, navigating the corporate landscape can feel like an uphill battle in stilettos – exhausting, frustrating, & sometimes downright ridiculous. It's a world often built around a "traditional" model that doesn't quite fit the realities of our lives, our values, or the unique strengths we bring to the table.

But what if the real power lies not in blaming the system, but in figuring out how you can navigate it? How can you not just survive, but actually thrive in this environment while building your own empire on the side? Because honestly, isn’t that the dream – to create a business that gives you the freedom & fulfillment you crave, while strategically navigating the corporate world?

I get it. I've been there. Balancing board meetings with bedtime stories, strategic planning with school pick-ups... It's a juggle, a constant dance between two worlds. Remember that time I was trying to finish a proposal on a tight deadline, the baby was finally asleep, & my six-year-old decided to practice her recorder – at full volume, right outside my office door? The deadline was looming, & I swear, every screech of that recorder felt like a nail in the coffin of my sanity. To make matters worse, it was a pink, glittery recorder – you know, the kind that’s impossible to ignore. Somehow, I managed to drown out the noise, finish the proposal, & even sneak in a quick call to my partner for a sanity check before submitting it. These are the moments that test your resilience, but also remind you what you're capable of. See, this is what it’s like trying to have a business conversation while the kids are running wild! And while client-facing activities are always kid-free zones (because professionalism, right?), the background hum of family life is the constant soundtrack to my entrepreneurial journey. There was even a time when I had to present a new marketing campaign idea to senior leadership, just as I was about to start, my toddler daughter, bless her heart, barged into the room covered in a mixture of strawberry yogurt & iridescent glitter – talk about a memorable entrance! Thankfully, my husband quickly swooped her up, saving both my presentation & my sanity. These moments aren't always Instagram-worthy, but they're real, they're relatable, and they build resilience.

Now, I'm not saying it's easy. Building a business alongside a demanding corporate job is a challenge, no doubt. There was a point a few months after launching Femmeprenista, when I was still working my corporate job, juggling newborn life, & trying to build my client base, all while recovering from my fourth C-section. I felt like I was drowning in to-do lists, constantly running on fumes, & starting to question if I could really pull it off. Just last week, I was prepping for a major presentation at work – a make-or-break moment for a project I’d poured months into. I knew I needed to bring my A-game, but the pressure was immense. My toddler was going through a sleep regression, the baby had a nasty cold, and I was running on about three hours of broken sleep. To top it all off, the morning of the presentation, my eldest decided to inform me she’d accidentally shrunk her favorite school uniform in the wash. It felt like the universe was conspiring against me. I sat down at my desk, tears welling up, and thought, “I can’t do this.” But then, I took a deep breath, remembered the Silva Method visualization techniques I’d learned, pictured myself confidently delivering the presentation, and whispered a quick affirmation: "I am capable. I am resilient. I am enough." It helped. It wasn’t a magic bullet, but it centred me. I pushed through, gave the presentation (it actually went really well!), and then promptly collapsed on the sofa with a cup of tea and a well-deserved cry once the kids were in bed. That experience, raw & real, reaffirmed what my PhD research is constantly showing me: Resilience: Thriving in Entrepreneurship's Beautiful Chaos isn't about never feeling overwhelmed; it's about finding your centre & taking action even when you feel like crumbling. It’s about getting back up, dusting yourself off, & keeping moving forward, one step at a time. It was a real low point, & I seriously considered throwing in the towel. But then I remembered my "why" – the desire for freedom, the impact I wanted to create, & the legacy I was building for my kids. So, I took a step back, reassessed my priorities, implemented some much-needed systems (thank goodness for AI!), & reached out to my Femme Connect community for support. It wasn't a magical overnight fix, but it was a turning point. It taught me the power of taking a pause, asking for help, & remembering that even small, consistent steps forward can eventually lead to big breakthroughs. My own journey, especially with four kids & a PhD, has shown me that the path might be slower, the climb steeper, but taking ownership of your progress is non-negotiable. As I often say, I don't just "dig the hole" I'm told to; I question, I strategize, I look for a better way. And that’s the mindset I want to share with you – the mindset of a CEO, even if your current title doesn't reflect it.

Building Your CEO Mindset: Owning Your Power, Regardless of Your Title

Here's the thing: even within a corporate structure, you have more power than you might realize. It starts with owning your mindset. This isn’t about toxic positivity or ignoring systemic issues. It’s about taking radical personal responsibility for your choices, your actions, & your responses.

• Embrace the Power of "No": Seriously, this is a game-changer. How much of your energy is drained by things you don't actually need to be doing? Politely decline tasks that don’t align with your core responsibilities or contribute to your professional growth. Focus your energy on high-impact activities that move the needle for you & the company.

• Become a Master of Efficiency: Streamline your workflows, automate where possible (smart AI tools like Calendly or Zapier can be your secret weapon here!), & delegate tasks that don't require your unique expertise. Remember, we're working smarter, not just harder, right? This frees up precious time & mental space for your entrepreneurial ventures.

• Prioritize Your Well-being: This isn't a luxury; it's a necessity. If you’re running on empty, you won't have the energy to pursue your dreams. Schedule time for activities that recharge you – even if it’s just a 10-minute meditation, a quick walk in nature, or a quiet cuppa while the kids are at school. Trust me, filling your own cup first is not essential for showing up as the best version of yourself, both in the corporate world & in your own business. Remember Lisa Nichols' powerful reminder: "Your job is to fill your own cup, so it overflows." This isn’t selfish; it’s essential for sustainable success.

Working Smart, Not Just Hard: Strategies for Strategic Success

Hard work is admirable, but it's not enough. It needs to be smart work. This is where strategic thinking & systems come in. I’m a firm believer in the power of systems, whether it’s streamlining my business processes or managing the beautiful chaos of family life. The right systems create flow, free up mental bandwidth, & allow you to focus on what truly matters. Imagine trying to run your business & manage a family with the precision of a Swiss watch but without the internal mechanism – it’s just not sustainable! The Business Flourish Framework: Female Entrepreneurs' Blueprint for Success is that internal mechanism for your business. It’s the system that allows everything to work together smoothly and efficiently. The Business Flourish Framework: Female Entrepreneurs' Blueprint for Success (Focus, Flair, Flow, Fuel, Fusion) is that blueprint for your business, guiding you to build a solid foundation, strong systems, and a brand that truly shines. Learn more about The Business Flourish Framework here:

Here are some strategies you can use to work smarter in the corporate world while also building your business:

• Set Clear Boundaries: Define your work hours, both for your corporate job & your business, & stick to them as much as possible. This prevents work from bleeding into family time & helps you maintain a sense of control amidst the juggle. This also means setting boundaries with colleagues and being clear about your availability. It's a continuous practice, but it's worth it.

• Master the Art of Prioritization: What are the 20% of tasks that yield 80% of the results in your corporate role? Focus on those. In your business, what are the key activities that will drive growth & generate income? Prioritize those relentlessly. Use a project management tool like Trello or Asana to keep track of everything and avoid feeling overwhelmed. Small, focused steps, consistently applied, create big results.

• Build Your Network: Connect with other entrepreneurs, both online & offline. Femme:Connect offers a fantastic, free space to connect with like-minded women, share experiences, and support each other through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Sharing experiences, challenges, & wins with like-minded women provides support, encouragement, & invaluable insights. Remember that time I felt completely lost trying to navigate the tech side of my business? A fellow entrepreneur in the Femme Connect community suggested using Zapier to automate some of my repetitive tasks, like adding new subscribers to my email list & scheduling social media posts. It was a game-changer that freed up hours each week.

Redefining Success: It's About More Than Just a Title

Here's a truth I wish I'd understood earlier in my career: success is not a destination; it's a journey. It’s not about climbing the corporate ladder to a specific rung, but about creating a life that feels rich, fulfilling, & aligned with your values. For me, that means having the flexibility to be present for my kids' "pottery cups" moments & decipher their "toddler language," even while building a business that creates impact & financial freedom. It also means having the space & energy to pursue my own passions & personal growth, like my PhD research. It’s about having the autonomy to make choices that serve my family & my vision, not just someone else's. It’s about designing a business that fuels my energy, not drains it. It's about knowing that even if my path is slower or different due to commitments like four kids & a PhD, I'm still making progress, I'm still growing, & I'm still owning my journey.

Ready to ignite your entrepreneurial journey & build a business that truly flourishes? Our Spark Program is designed to help you, the 'Foundation Builder,' gain clarity, validate your idea, & create a rock-solid action plan. Find out more and join us here:

So, lovely ladies, what’s your definition of success? Here's an exercise, inspired by my Business Flourish Framework: Female Entrepreneurs' Blueprint for Success, to help you gain clarity:

1. FOCUS on Your "Why": What's the deeper purpose driving your entrepreneurial journey? Connect to the core values that fuel your desire for change. What impact do you want to make? This is your North Star. This could be anything from achieving financial freedom to having more quality time with your family.

2. FLAIR: Craft Your Vision: Imagine your ideal day, five years from now. Engage all your senses. What are you doing? What are you wearing? Who are you with? Where are you? How do you feel? Write a detailed description as if it's already happening. Bring this vision to life with vivid detail.

3. FLOW: Define Actionable Steps: Based on your "why" & vision, what are three concrete steps you can take this week to move closer to your definition of success? Keep these steps small, realistic, and aligned with your Business Flourish Framework: Female Entrepreneurs' Blueprint for Success. Break down large goals into manageable chunks, and remember the power of small wins.

4. FUEL: Prioritize Your Well-being: How will you ensure your well-being is prioritized along the way? What non-negotiable self-care practices will you implement to support your energy and prevent burnout? Schedule these in your calendar as appointments with yourself.

Share your vision & your definition of success below in the comments! It's amazing how much clarity & motivation can come from simply articulating your dreams. And who knows, you might just inspire another entrepreneur in the process!

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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