What it really means to be a female founder.
Lucienne Shakir (MEd)
High Performance Business Coach and Mentor for Female Founders, their Organisations and Teams | Female Empowerment Specialist | Founder of the Academy??, Collective of Extraordinary Women?? and Female Founders Summit??
Want to know how hard it REALLY is to be a female founder? Don’t ask the business ‘guru’s’ selling the million dollar dream - because what they are not sharing with you is….
THE REALITY.?
Without the right support - it’s so easy to give up on your business, especially when you are comparing it to every Jan, Sam and Sarah who are rolling in the big bucks, all whilst looking immaculate and like their life is effortless. (Bouncing their kids on their shoulders, running on the treadmill whilst answering their emails - all whilst not spilling a drop of their decaf coconut cappuccino.)
Well I’m about to spill the tea on them. (Like what I did there?)
Their life is not effortless.?
Trust me - I know. Because I see behind the scenes of SO MANY female founded businesses.?
What it really means to be a female founder is what we talked about in our Keynote session in the Female Founders Summit. Carrie Green, Lea Turner and I were open and honest about the hurdles we have to overcome - and THAT is the narrative we need to be focussing on.?
In the meantime - if you want a summary of the traits needed to be a successful founder, here are my top 4.?
Resilience
Don’t underestimate the bounce back and the need to have thick skin. If you start taking anything in business personally - you’re in trouble. Your business is not you and you are not your business. Get tough. Your business depends on it.??
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Integrity
Doing what you say you are going to do, when you say you are going to do it. I’m a firm believer in underpromise and overdeliver. You can be too.?
Instinct
Somehow - somewhere women learned not to trust themselves. (Centuries of oppression and silencing might have had a role to play - but you know, I can’t be sure!) Often you don’t need a mentor to tell you what to do, because if you actually gave yourself enough time, you’d know that the answers are already inside of you. Work on developing communication with your gut.?
Fear
So underutilised - it’s the things that you’re scared to do that give the most progress and potential. So write down the thing you would love to do, but are too scared to - and just go do it.?
“Stop thinking so much - you’re breaking your own heart” is a beautiful quote that links to all of the above. Tune into your heart and listen to what she’s saying.?
Lots of love, Lucienne
P.S if you want more women around you speaking the truth about success and how to overcome mindset hurdles, get yourself one of the 50 tickets to the Female Founders Summit, and surround yourself with some amazing people.?
Social Media Marketing Strategist | Generated Multiple Viral reels | Linkedin + Instagram Organic Growth Expert ??
1 年Loved the share ???
Creating the greatest linens in the world without costing the Earth. Founder at Linen Reform ??. One exit.
1 年appreciate the realness
Sales Trainer & Coach for ICF Coaches | Speaker | CCE Credit (16) Sales Course | High Ticket Closer | DM to Increase Your Close Rate!
1 年Thank you for sharing your honest perspective on being a female founder. It's important to hear the reality of the journey, not just the glamorous success stories. Your insights are invaluable.
Like rocket fuel but for women-led businesses ?? ?? Launch copywriter for female coaches, course creators, and digital product sellers ?? Mum of two ????????
1 年Amazing stuff in here, Lucienne. Give yourself a pat on the back.
Break through the walls that are blocking connected love in your marriage | Psychotherapist & Marriage Coach x 25 years | Podcast Host 'The Midlife Marriage'
1 年What a great article. Thanks for sharing. I love your take on this. And having fomo over your summitt coming up. Perhaps one day you'll have a multi-day and I can make the trip.