Toddler Business Lessons: Simple Growth for Femmeprenistas

Toddler Truths: Unexpected Business Lessons from My Two-Year-Old

Let's be honest, running a business is a whirlwind, isn't it? Especially when you're juggling all the things – kids, partner, pets (Cappuccino & Espresso are currently having a zoomie-off in the background as I type this – it’s like living in a furry pinball machine!), & trying to build something meaningful. It's a beautiful chaos, as we like to say at Femmeprenista. & in the midst of all that lovely madness, sometimes the most profound business lessons come from the most unexpected sources. Like my two-year-old.

You see, I’ve been working on refining the messaging for one of our Femmeprenista programmes. Hours spent crafting the perfect words, you know the drill. I’d been wrestling with this particular copy for days, tweaking & refining, convinced I’d finally nailed it. It was all very “professional” & “polished,” but something felt off. I was pretty pleased with myself, feeling like I’d finally cracked the code. So, naturally, I shared it with my toddler. Because who better to give feedback, right? (I'm joking, mostly!)

Her response? A blank stare, followed by a decisive, No. Different.

Ouch. My finely tuned, expertly crafted messaging... rejected by a tiny human who communicates primarily through pointing & the occasional invented word. My initial reaction? Honestly, I wanted to crawl under the table. All that effort, all that time, & my toddler, bless her heart, had just demolished it with two words. It felt a bit like carefully constructing a Lego masterpiece, only to have someone gleefully kick it across the room. But then, that familiar voice of reason piped up (you know, the one that sounds suspiciously like my own inner coach): "Okay, Carlene, what’s the feedback here?"

Because even a "No" is data. Especially when it comes from your target audience, even if that audience is still mastering potty training. It got me thinking. If my messaging wasn’t clear enough for a two-year-old (whose world is all about direct experience & immediate needs), was it truly clear enough for the busy, overwhelmed female entrepreneurs I'm trying to reach? Those incredible women, often juggling just as much as I am, who need straightforward solutions, not more jargon?

The answer, it turned out, was a resounding no.

My toddler, in her own inimitable way, had highlighted a crucial point: Keep it simple. Keep it real. Keep it relatable. Just like talking to a two-year-old (though maybe with slightly fewer made-up words).

So, back to the drawing board I went. This time, with a fresh perspective. I stripped away the fluff, the jargon, the overly complicated explanations. I focused on the core message: the problem I was solving, the transformation I was offering, & the direct benefit for the client. This reminds me of something Sabri Suby talks about – getting into the conversation already happening in your customer’s head.1 What are their real pains & how can you offer a solution that speaks directly to those? Toddlers, in their own way, are masters of this – they know exactly what they want (and aren't shy about letting you know!).

& you know what? It landed. Not just with my toddler (who gave me a very enthusiastic Yes! this time, along with a sticky hug), but with my actual target audience too. The feedback has been incredible.

Lessons from the Toddler Boardroom (Business Lessons for Female Entrepreneurs)

This whole experience, as chaotic as it initially seemed, has given me some unexpected business lessons, particularly for Scaling Leaders (those amazing women like you, perhaps, who are already making waves but ready for that next level of growth) who are refining their message or brand:

• Clarity trumps cleverness: Don't get so caught up in being clever or sounding "expert" that you lose the core message. If a two-year-old can’t understand it, chances are your ideal client won't either. Think about it, would your toddler understand a complex sales funnel explanation? Nope. They'd want to know what’s in it for them (usually snacks or playtime!). Your clients are the same – they want to know the direct benefit, not the technical details.

• Authenticity always wins: Speak from the heart. Share your own messy, beautiful journey. Connect with your audience on a human level. They'll appreciate the realness, I promise. Just like a toddler with a scraped knee seeks comfort, your clients seek authenticity and connection when facing challenges.

• Feedback is your friend: Embrace it, even when it stings a little (or comes in the form of a toddler tantrum). Every "no" is an opportunity to refine, to improve, to get closer to that perfect "yes." This reminds me of the NLP principle, "There's no failure, only feedback," something Sue Knight has emphasized.1 My journey to creating my coaching qualification was itself filled with these “no” moments, juggling pregnancy and studies, but each one pushed me to find a better way. It took longer than I'd hoped, but the resilience it built was invaluable.

• Embrace your inner child: Seriously! Sometimes, stepping back & looking at your business through a child’s eyes – with that inherent curiosity & directness – can give you the fresh perspective you need. Remember when you used to ask "why?" about everything? Reconnecting with that childlike curiosity can unlock surprising innovation in your business. One of my clients, Sarah (who runs a thriving online bakery), recently told me how embracing this "inner child" curiosity led her to experiment with a completely new flavour combination (rose & pistachio macarons!), which became a best seller. It's all about getting out of that "grown-up" business box sometimes.

Ready to make your messaging toddler-proof (and irresistible to your ideal clients)? Our Launch Programme is designed to help you craft crystal-clear messaging, build a strong brand, and secure those first paying clients.

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Beyond Messaging: Simple Systems & Sustainable Growth (Business Lessons for Female Entrepreneurs)

This “toddler truth” applies to more than just messaging. It’s about your entire business. Are your systems simple & streamlined? Is your client onboarding process easy to understand & navigate? Are you making things unnecessarily complicated, adding to the overwhelm (both yours & your client's)?

Speaking of systems, let me share a recent "fail" that really got to me. I was convinced that this fancy new project management software was going to revolutionize my workflow. You know, the one with all the bells & whistles that promised to make me a productivity ninja? Well, it turned out to be more of a productivity black hole. I spent hours trying to customize it, migrating all my data, only to realize it was way too complicated for what I actually needed. I felt so defeated, like I’d wasted precious time & energy. I even had a little cry in the bathroom (don't tell anyone!). It felt like one step forward, two steps back. It was a classic case of "shiny object syndrome" gone wrong. In the end, I went back to my trusty Trello board & a simple spreadsheet. Sometimes, the simplest solutions are the best. It was a humbling reminder that systems are meant to serve us, not enslave us!

If so, it might be time for a little simplification. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Juggler's Shortcut: Overwhelmed by social media? I get it. Try repurposing your existing content. For example, turn a blog post (like this one!) into bite-sized social media graphics using Canva. It’s a quick & easy way to maximize your content’s reach without creating everything from scratch. I did this recently with my blog post on "5 Mindset Shifts for Scaling Leaders," & the engagement was amazing.

• System Saviour: Drowning in client emails & admin tasks? Implement a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system like Dubsado or HoneyBook. This keeps all your client communication, invoices, & contracts in one place, saving you hours of admin time. One of my clients, Maria, a business coach who was constantly chasing invoices, told me that implementing a CRM literally saved her sanity (and a significant amount of money!).

• Quick Clarity Tip: Create a simple, step-by-step checklist for your client onboarding process. This ensures nothing gets missed & provides a smooth, consistent experience for every new client. Think of it like a toddler's bedtime routine – clear, predictable steps lead to a happy outcome (for both you & your client!).

Ready to ditch the overwhelm & build systems that actually work for you? Our Momentum Coaching program provides tailored support and practical AI solutions to help you streamline your business and create more flow.

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Remember, progress, not perfection, is the goal. Small, smart changes like these can make a huge difference. It’s about working smarter, not harder, & as busy mums & entrepreneurs, we know the value of that! This whole concept of “working smarter” is central to our Business Flourish Framework at Femmeprenista. The framework integrates all the key elements – mindset, systems, marketing, well-being, & strategic AI integration (Fusion) - so that you can build a thriving, balanced, & sustainable business. It’s a holistic approach that my experience in the corporate world, completing my MBA & now pursuing my PhD, and, most importantly, being an entrepreneur & mum has shown me is absolutely essential. It's a model I wish I'd had earlier in my career.

If you're ready to dive deeper & build a business that truly supports your life (not the other way around), join our free global Femme Connect community! It’s a warm & supportive space for connection, accountability, & real talk about the beautiful chaos of entrepreneurship & motherhood. We share tips on everything from navigating the “12-13 weeks of school holidays” challenge to leveraging AI tools like a pro. Plus, we have regular masterclasses & expert guests.

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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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