Okay, let’s get real. Three years ago, I was crying in a Starbucks bathroom during my lunch break because my boss told me my “ambition was cute.” Cute. Like a kitten wearing a bowtie. 🐱💔 That’s when I decided to turn my side hustle – selling handmade ceramic mugs on Etsy – into a full-blown business. Today? I’m sipping matcha lattes in my home studio while my team handles orders. No pants required.
Here’s the tea: Women start businesses at 1.5x the rate of men globally (World Bank data, but let’s pretend I’m casually dropping facts over brunch). Yet we still get 23% less funding. TWENTY-THREE. That’s like baking a cake with 23% less flour – it’ll still rise, but damn, why make it harder? 🎂
Why entrepreneurship = modern feminism
I used to think “financial independence” meant not splitting the Uber bill. Then I read that 72% of women entrepreneurs reinvest profits into their communities vs. 46% of men (Harvard Business Review, but again – brunch vibes). That’s power. When I hired my first employee – a single mom who could finally afford dance classes for her kid – I ugly-cried for 20 minutes. 💃💧
The 3 AM panic attacks (and how to survive them)
Let’s not romanticize this. My first year involved:
– Eating peanut butter straight from the jar at 2 AM
– Accidentally sending a client email meant for my therapist
– Crying over a $27 PayPal fee
The game-changer? Finding my “business coven.” Not some stuffy networking group – I’m talking WhatsApp threads with other female founders where we share everything from SEO hacks to breakup playlists. Pro tip: Your competition isn’t other women. The real enemy is crusty dudes in boardrooms still using “synergy” unironically.
Money mindset voodoo 🧿
I used to feel guilty charging $98 for a mug. Then my accountant (shoutout to Priya, my spreadsheet queen) showed me the math: materials ($18), labor ($32), shipping ($15), 10-hour design process ($???). We’re conditioned to undervalue our time. Now I price like a luxury brand – because my art helps people feel seen.
The unsexy truth about freedom
Financial independence isn’t Lamborghinis. It’s:
– Saying “no” to toxic clients
– Paying your dental bill without checking your account
– Hiring someone to deep-clean your shower
Last month, I sponsored a girl’s coding bootcamp. When she said “I want to be like you,” I realized: This isn’t about me anymore. We’re building ladders, not resumes.
Your turn (but no pressure)
Start small. Babysit? Turn it into a parenting podcast. Bake cookies? Create “ugly cookie” subscription boxes. The first step is always messy – like my disastrous first live stream where I glued myself to a teacup.
Remember: Every female entrepreneur before you fought for your right to fail spectacularly. Use it.
