In recent years, the entrepreneurial landscape has witnessed a significant surge in the number of female entrepreneurs who are boldly breaking through the glass ceiling and making their mark in various industries. The rise of successful women in business is inspiring and encouraging, as it reflects the progress towards gender equality in the professional world. Four women share their secrets to success for female entrepreneurs, shedding light on what it takes to thrive in the competitive world of business.

Self-belief and Confidence

Photo Credit To: Hanalei Swan

The foundation of success for any entrepreneur, regardless of gender, begins with self-belief and confidence. Female entrepreneurs should trust in their abilities and be fearless in pursuing their goals. Building confidence often requires stepping out of one’s comfort zone, taking calculated risks, and learning from both successes and failures.

“The number one thing that stops people from moving forward and growing is their own disbelief and doubt within themselves. If you want to make something, whether that is a business or a creative project, you have to be confident enough to believe in yourself. You can’t wait for other people to believe in you. It’s so easy to get hung up on what others think about you and let their opinions tie you down but the minute you let go of other’s expectations, you set yourself free,” says Hanalei Swan, a sixteen-year-old fashion designer, artist, model, international speaker, and bestselling author. 

Develop Resilience

Photo Credit To: Kortney Murray

Resilience is a quality that is often tested in the entrepreneurial journey. Challenges and setbacks are inevitable, but successful female entrepreneurs use them as stepping stones to grow stronger. Resilience enables women to bounce back from adversity, adapt to change, and keep moving forward.

“You need to have integrity, perseverance, and grit,” says Kortney Murray, Founder and CEO of Coastal Kapital. “It takes us longer to climb the chain, not due to lack of effort but because, being maternal, we tend to take care of everyone else’s needs before our own. We need to pick ourselves up, brush ourselves off, and keep going. Do not let failure enter your mind and never let one person’s opinion hold you back from your dreams. It took Michael Jordan 9,000 missed baskets to be recruited.”

Set Clear Goals

Setting clear, specific, and achievable goals is a fundamental secret to success. Female entrepreneurs should have a clear vision for their businesses and break down their objectives into manageable steps. This not only provides direction but also helps measure progress.

Work-Life Balance

Balancing the demands of entrepreneurship and personal life is crucial for long-term success. Female entrepreneurs should prioritize self-care, maintain a healthy work-life balance, and avoid burnout. A rested and focused mind is more effective in making strategic decisions and driving business growth.

Financial Literacy

Photo Credit To: Andrea Bell

Understanding finances is essential for the success of any business. Female entrepreneurs should invest time in gaining financial literacy, managing budgets, and making informed financial decisions. A strong grasp of financial matters can make or break a business.

Andrea Bell, Founder and CEO of Profitability shares, “You need to have your business finances in order because what gets measured gets improved. This involves tracking your finances on a weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual basis to ensure you stay on track with your goals. Consistent review enables you to identify when it’s time to increase sales, discontinue unprofitable items, or hire additional staff. Best practice is to assess what is working and continue in that direction, or identify what is not working and make necessary improvements. Accounting serves as the language of business, and your financial statements narrate the story of your business.”

Stay Passionate, Seek Pleasure

Photo Credit To: Stephanie Jaie

“The most potent – and hardest – journey I’ve learned is how deeply my ability to access my pleasure impacts my business,” says  Stephanie Jaie, author, speaker, and Somatic Sexologist. “The moment I step out of my pleasure zone is the moment my business becomes hard, chaotic, messy. I grew up in a masculine-dominated environment and built a very successful corporate career based on adrenaline, Red Bull, and fatigue. My biggest lesson has been to soften, trusting my feminine power to magnetize through pleasure which has led to more financial and time freedom than I ever would have thought possible.

These are just a few of the secrets to success in the business world. While the path may be challenging, the journey of entrepreneurship is incredibly rewarding. With determination, hard work, and a commitment to personal and professional growth, women can break barriers and achieve remarkable success in business. The future of entrepreneurship is undoubtedly diverse, and female entrepreneurs are at the forefront of this exciting transformation.