Wellbeing for Female Entrepreneurs: CEO's Guide to Profitability

Beyond the Buzzwords: Why Your 'Fuel' (Wellbeing) is the Non-Negotiable Engine of Your Profitability – A CEO & Mother's Perspective on Strategic Self-Investment

Ever found yourself staring at your to-do list, which seems to be breeding like rabbits, while simultaneously trying to remember if you’ve actually eaten anything other than your toddler’s leftover toast today? And then, someone utters the words “self-care,” and you almost laugh (or cry) because, honestly, who has the time? Between board meetings (even if it’s a board of one, you!), school runs, client demands, & trying to innovate like the next Steve Jobs, prioritising yourself can feel like the ultimate luxury, a fluffy ‘nice-to-have’ that gets shoved to the bottom of the pile.

Well, I’m here to tell you, from the beautiful chaos of my own life as a CEO, a mother of four (ranging from a teenager navigating GCSEs down to an infant son discovering his lungs, alongside a toddler daughter who thinks ‘no’ is a communication strategy, & a school-aged daughter with a social life busier than mine!), a PhD researcher, & let’s not forget, co-parent to two rather spirited Miniature Pinschers, that this thinking is not just outdated; it’s strategically dangerous for your business. This is particularly relevant for Foundation Builders in the first 1-3 years of their business.

I want to challenge that deep-seated misconception that looking after your wellbeing is somehow "fluffy" or non-essential. The truth is, your personal ‘fuel’ – what we at Femmeprenista call the wellbeing pillar of our Business Flourish Framework – isn't a luxury. It’s the non-negotiable, high-octane engine of your performance, your resilience, your decision-making clarity, & yes, ultimately, your business profitability & sustainability.

Ditching the "Fluff": Why Your Wellbeing is a Hard-Nosed Business Strategy

Let’s be brutally honest. For years, the narrative around self-care, especially for women, has been muddled. It’s often portrayed as indulgent spa days or an extra hour of yoga we simply can’t squeeze in. But what if we reframed it? What if we saw prioritising our wellbeing not as selfish or unproductive, but as the single most critical investment we can make in our business's most valuable asset – ourselves?

My journey through an MBA at Cranfield, whilst juggling a very young child, was a real eye-opener. Surrounded by high-level strategic thinking, it became glaringly obvious that if a company wouldn't run its machinery into the ground without maintenance, why on earth would we, as entrepreneurs, do that to ourselves? The human element, your element, is the most crucial component of your enterprise. You are the visionary, the strategist, the chief problem-solver, & often, the main delivery person, especially in the early days. Running on empty isn’t a badge of honour; it’s a recipe for disaster. Our commitment to holistic success, as outlined in our Femmeprenista Female Entrepreneur Support: Find Your Purpose fundamentally includes prioritising your wellbeing as a strategic imperative.

I remember one particular period during my PhD studies, with my youngest son just a few months old & my two-year-old daughter demanding her fair share of attention (as she rightly should!). I was trying to analyse complex research data for my thesis, prepare for a Femmeprenista strategy meeting, & deal with a teething baby who had decided sleep was optional – for everyone. My ‘fuel’ tank wasn’t just low; the warning light had been flashing for days. The result? I made a surprisingly rookie error in a financial projection for the business. It wasn’t catastrophic, thankfully, but it was a sharp wake-up call. I once missed a key tax deadline because I was so exhausted; it cost me £800 in penalties & served as a harsh reminder that wellbeing isn't optional. I remember the gut-wrenching feeling when I realised the deadline had passed – that money could have gone towards a family day out! My brain, starved of rest & proper nourishment, simply wasn’t firing on all cylinders. That "small" oversight could have had much bigger implications, all because I was trying to power through instead of strategically refueling.

The Bottom Line: The Tangible Costs of Neglect vs. The ROI of Self-Investment

This brings me to a crucial point: neglecting your personal 'fuel' has very real, very tangible costs that directly erode your business performance & consequently, your profitability. Think about it:

• Burnout: Leads to decreased productivity, cynicism, & a feeling of detachment. Creativity plummets. Studies show that burnout can reduce creative output by as much as 50% (source).

• Reduced Focus & Clarity: Makes strategic thinking almost impossible. You’re more likely to make reactive, short-sighted decisions.

• Poor Decision-Making: When you're exhausted, your judgment is impaired. This can affect everything from hiring choices to investment decisions.

• Decreased Creativity & Innovation: Your ability to innovate & solve problems creatively is one of your biggest assets. Tiredness dulls this vital edge.

• Strained Relationships: Both personal & professional relationships can suffer when you're constantly stressed & depleted, impacting your support network & team dynamics.

Now, flip that coin. Investing in your wellbeing isn't about subtracting hours from your business; it's about multiplying the effectiveness of the hours you do put in. The ROI is immense:

• Enhanced Energy & Vitality: Obvious, but game-changing. More energy means more capacity to tackle your ambitious goals.

• Improved Strategic Thinking: A rested, well-nourished mind sees the bigger picture, connects dots, & makes smarter, more impactful decisions.

• Greater Innovation & Creativity: When you're feeling good, your creative juices flow. You're more open to new ideas & innovative solutions.

• Increased Resilience: Entrepreneurship is a rollercoaster. Being well-fueled equips you to navigate the "beautiful chaos" & bounce back from setbacks with greater ease. Remember that feeling when you’re trying to get everyone out of the door, one child has lost a shoe, another has just remembered a vital piece of homework, & the hyperactive puppy, Espresso, decides it’s the perfect time to unspool the toilet roll through the house? Navigating that requires resilience, & so does navigating a tricky client negotiation or a sudden market shift.

• Better Leadership: As a leader, your energy sets the tone. When you’re calm, focused, & positive, it inspires your team & attracts opportunities.

Taking the Reins: Personal Responsibility for Sustainable Success

Here’s where the Femmeprenista core tenet of Personal Responsibility & Ownership comes into sharp focus. While systemic challenges are real (& believe me, as a Black woman, a mother, & a Millennial who has seen her fair share of "the system" not working, I get it!), waiting for the world to become less demanding before you take care of yourself is a losing game.

Taking ownership of your wellbeing is a fundamental aspect of being a responsible, effective leader. It’s the cornerstone of building a sustainable, thriving business, rather than succumbing to the burnout treadmill of "hustle culture."

I’ve learned this lesson the hard way, many times over. There were periods, especially when my eldest was younger & I was launching my first ventures post-university, where I truly believed sheer grit & caffeine were sustainable business inputs. Spoiler: they’re not.

It wasn’t until I started consciously taking responsibility for my own energy, my own mental space, & my own physical health – even amidst the whirlwind of raising four children, pursuing a PhD, & running a growing business – that I truly began to build sustainably. It means acknowledging that my journey might be "slower" than someone with fewer dependents & no demanding academic pursuits, but as I often say, "I'm not giving up. I'm still here... still open to learn."

A huge part of that learning is understanding that my capacity to show up powerfully is directly linked to how well I’m tending to my own needs. It’s about working smart, strategically, & that includes strategically resting & rejuvenating.

More Than Just a Pillar: Wellbeing as the Foundation of Flourishing

At Femmeprenista, we don't see wellbeing as an isolated concept. It’s a foundational, integral component of our holistic Business Flourish Framework. This isn't just a theory; it's a proven system designed to help ambitious female entrepreneurs build businesses that thrive alongside their personal lives. When your personal 'fuel' is optimised, it naturally enhances your ability to sharpen your Focus (your mindset & vision), amplify your Flair (your authentic marketing & messaging), create efficient Flow (your systems & momentum), & strategically integrate Fusion (practical AI solutions to work smarter).

Imagine trying to build a magnificent house on shaky foundations. No matter how brilliant the architecture (your business idea) or how skilled the builders (your efforts), it’s destined to crumble. Your wellbeing is that non-negotiable foundation. When you prioritise it, you’re not just "being kind to yourself"; you’re laying the groundwork for a business that can withstand storms, scale to new heights, & provide you with the financial freedom & fulfilment you deserve.

This isn't about adding another overwhelming task to your already overflowing plate. It’s about a fundamental shift in perspective. It’s about recognising that tending to your energy, your health, & your mental clarity isn't separate from your business tasks; it is a core business task. It’s the strategic self-investment that powers every other action you take.

So, how do you start?

1. Honest Audit: Really look at where your energy is going. What’s draining you disproportionately? What truly replenishes you (even in small ways)?

2. Tiny Tweaks, Big Impact: Don't aim for a massive overhaul overnight. Can you build in a 10-minute walk? A non-negotiable lunch break away from your desk? A slightly earlier bedtime? These small changes compound. I know, for me, even amidst the beautiful chaos of our home with the joyful (& sometimes deafening) contributions from my teenage daughter down to my infant son, ensuring I have just 15 minutes of quiet with a cup of tea before the household fully wakes can make a world of difference to my focus for the day. Perhaps, as a Foundation Builder, you begin by simply putting your phone on DND for an hour each day– something I should have done sooner than I did to reclaim time in those chaotic early stages!

3. Schedule It In: If it’s not scheduled, it’s not real. Treat your wellbeing activities with the same importance as a client meeting.

4. Reframe Guilt: Remind yourself that prioritising your fuel is working on your business. It’s an investment, not an indulgence. I often tell myself: "If Lisa Nichols can tell herself that her job is to fill her own cup, so it overflows. Then I can fill mine!"

Ultimately, building a profitable, sustainable, & fulfilling business requires you to be at your best & the best way to achieve this is by joining the Femme:Connect community to find a supportive network of like-minded women. It’s the smartest business decision you can make today for a more profitable & joyful tomorrow.

What’s one moment you struggled with business because your wellbeing was lacking?

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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