Visibility for Female Entrepreneurs: Own Your Voice & Impact
- (Admin) The Thrivology Company
- Apr 7
- 6 min read
The Courage to Be Seen: Why Your Voice Matters (Especially When It Feels Terrifying)
That tiny, nagging voice. The one that pipes up just as your finger hovers over the ‘post’ button. “Is this good enough?” “What will they think?” “Am I really qualified to say this?” If you’re an ambitious female entrepreneur, especially a mum juggling all the spinning plates, I’m willing to bet you know exactly what I’m talking about. That knot in your stomach? It’s the fear of visibility, & lovely, it’s one of the most common, yet most debilitating, hurdles we face. Even now, as I write this, I'm wrestling with showing up authentically on LinkedIn – the comparison game is REAL! I remember once, early in my entrepreneurial journey, being asked to speak on a panel & almost backing out at the last minute because I was convinced everyone else was more qualified, more polished, & frankly, had better hair that day.
As a fellow mother of four, a seasoned entrepreneur who’s navigated the exhilarating highs & frankly, the ‘what on earth am I doing?!’ lows, & someone who’s spent years researching female entrepreneurship for my PhD (and by the way, did you know that Black female founders receive less than 1% of venture capital funding? Visibility in this space is key!), I’ve seen this fear play out time & time again. Honestly, I’ve felt it myself. It’s real, it’s potent, & it’s often wrapped up in layers of imposter syndrome, perfectionism, & a deep-seated fear of judgment. Add in the beautiful chaos of motherhood – the sleep deprivation, the constant demands, the feeling that you’re doing ten jobs at once (because you probably are!) – & it’s no wonder that putting yourself ‘out there’ can feel intimidating.
But here’s the truth I want to share with you, woman to woman: overcoming this fear isn’t just a ‘nice-to-have’ for your marketing strategy. It’s a profound act of Personal Responsibility & Ownership. It’s about claiming your authentic voice, stepping into your power, & making the impact you were born to make.
Beyond the ‘Like’: Why Visibility is Your Superpower
Let’s be brutally honest. For many of us, the thought of online visibility feels like a chore, another tick-box on an endless to-do list. We might associate it with slick, airbrushed perfection that feels utterly alien to our real, messy, wonderful lives. But I want to invite you to reframe that.
Visibility, when approached authentically, isn’t about vanity metrics or shouting the loudest. It’s about connection. It’s the bridge between your unique brilliance & the people who desperately need what you offer. It’s how you attract your ideal clients, the ones who energise you & value your expertise. It’s how you build a thriving business that supports your family & fuels your dreams. Most importantly, it’s intrinsically linked to finding & powerfully using your authentic voice – the one that’s uniquely yours, shaped by your experiences, your passions, & yes, even your journey through motherhood.
Honestly, at Femmeprenista, our entire mission is built around supporting female entrepreneurs to not just build businesses, but to find their purpose & make their unique mark on the world & you can’t do that from the shadows. Femmeprenista Female Entrepreneur Support: Find Your Purpose is a great place to start if you’re exploring what that deeper purpose looks like for you.
Taking Ownership: Your Voice, Your Business, Your Impact
I’m a firm believer in personal responsibility. It’s a value that’s been forged through my own journey – from navigating educational systems that didn’t always ‘get’ me, to leaving corporate roles where I felt like a replaceable cog, to building businesses while raising a young family & pursuing further education. There are always external challenges, systemic hurdles, & life complexities. I get it.
My own path often feels “slower” because of my four amazing children & my PhD commitments. Does that mean I throw in the towel? Absolutely not. It means I have to be smarter, more focused, & take absolute ownership of my progress. Conquering the fear of visibility is exactly the same.
It’s about deciding that your voice, your message, & your business are too important to be silenced by fear. It’s about understanding that progress comes from small, consistent, smart actions, not from waiting for the fear to magically disappear (spoiler: it rarely does!). This proactive stance, this ownership, is where your true power lies. It’s about sharpening your mindset & developing the resilience to show up, even when it’s uncomfortable.
This mindset is a core component of how we approach business growth within The Business Flourish Framework, because we know that your inner game directly impacts your outer results. It’s about Focus, Flair, Flow, Fuel, & Fusion, all working in harmony.
From Fearful to Flourishing: Practical Steps to Authentic Online Presence
So, how do we move from feeling that stomach-churning fear to confidently sharing our message? It’s not about a giant leap; it’s about small, courageous steps. Here are a few practical strategies to help you cultivate an authentic online presence, imperfections & all:
Embrace Imperfect Action (Start Small, Start Today):The quest for perfection is often fear in a very pretty disguise. Instead of waiting until everything is ‘perfect’ (which, let’s face it, is an illusion), commit to small, imperfect actions. What’s one tiny thing you can share this week? A behind-the-scenes glimpse? A thought-provoking question? A short, unpolished video sharing one tip? Remember, done is far better than perfect. The aim is to build momentum & get comfortable with being seen.
Example: Post a photo of your messy workspace & share one thing you're grateful for today.
Template: "Hey everyone! Today my workspace looks like , but I'm so grateful for . What are you grateful for today?"
Your Story is Your Strength (Yes, Motherhood Too!):So often, we’re told to compartmentalise, to present a purely ‘professional’ front. But your unique journey, including the beautiful chaos of motherhood, is not a liability – it’s your superpower. The challenges you’ve overcome, the lessons you’ve learned, the perspective you’ve gained as a mother… these are all part of what makes you relatable & real. Share your stories authentically. Your ideal clients will connect with your humanity, not a polished facade. This is about leveraging your unique narrative to build genuine connections, a key part of developing your marketing flair.
Example: Share a story about a time when motherhood helped you develop a valuable business skill (like time management or problem-solving).
Video Script: "Hey! Being a mum has taught me to . How has motherhood shaped your business skills?"
Focus on Connection, Not Perfection:Shift your goal from creating the ‘perfect’ post to making a genuine connection. Aim to speak to one person. Imagine you’re having a cuppa with your ideal client. What would you say to her? How would you help her? When you focus on serving & connecting, the pressure to perform diminishes. It’s about dialogue, not a monologue.
Example: Ask a specific question related to your niche & genuinely engage with the responses.
Post: "I'm curious, what's your biggest challenge with right now? Let's brainstorm solutions together!"
Set Micro-Goals & Celebrate Your Courage:Instead of overwhelming yourself with "I need to be everywhere online!", set tiny, achievable visibility goals. Perhaps it’s commenting thoughtfully on three posts in your industry group. Maybe it’s going live in a safe space for just five minutes & aim to share 3 key points. Each time you step out of your comfort zone, acknowledge your courage. Celebrate those small wins – they build confidence & make the journey more enjoyable. For those of you just starting out in that Foundation Builder stage, where this fear can feel particularly acute, programmes like our Spark Program Page are designed to help you build that foundational confidence & clarity in a supportive environment.
Goal: Comment on 3 posts this week.
Reward: Acknowledge a job well done in your journal, and then treat yourself to a glass of wine!
Find Your Tribe (A Safe Space to Practice):Stepping into visibility is so much easier when you have a supportive community cheering you on. Find spaces where you feel safe to practice, to be imperfect, & to get constructive feedback. Our Femme:Connect Community Page is a wonderful, free global community designed for exactly this – a place for ambitious female entrepreneurs to connect, support each other, & grow together.
Did you know that businesses with strong brand visibility see revenue increases of up to 23%?
Your Journey is Your Unique Brilliance
I want to leave you with this: your individual path, with all its twists, turns, triumphs, & challenges, is precisely what makes your voice unique & valuable. The experiences that have shaped you, including the profound journey of motherhood, are not things to be hidden or minimised. They are the rich tapestry from which you draw your wisdom, your empathy, & your unique perspective.
When you embrace your whole self & share your authentic voice, you don’t just build a business; you build a beacon. You attract people who resonate with your truth, who value your unique approach, & who are eager to learn from you.
The fear might still whisper, but your courage, your purpose, & your commitment to taking ownership of your impact can roar louder. You’ve got this.
Carlene Nisbett
Founder & CEO, Femmeprenista
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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