So, here’s the thing. I never thought I’d be the kind of person who starts a business. I mean, I was the girl who cried over spilled coffee (literally, it was a caramel macchiato, and it was tragic). But life has a funny way of throwing curveballs, and here I am, running my own company. And guess what? I’m not alone. The rise of female entrepreneurs is real, and it’s glorious.
Let me take you back to the beginning. It all started with a coffee chat. You know, one of those casual meetups where you’re supposed to “network” but end up talking about your favorite Netflix shows instead. I was sitting across from a woman who had just launched her own eco-friendly skincare line. She was passionate, driven, and, honestly, a little intimidating. But she said something that stuck with me: “You don’t have to have it all figured out to start. You just have to start.”
That conversation sparked something in me. I had always been the “idea person” in my friend group—the one who came up with wild concepts but never followed through. But this time, I decided to take the leap. I started small, with a side hustle selling handmade candles. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was mine. And slowly but surely, it grew.
Now, let’s talk about the challenges. Because, oh boy, there were challenges. Being a female entrepreneur in a male-dominated industry is no joke. I’ve had my fair share of awkward meetings where I was mistaken for the assistant (spoiler: I was the CEO). I’ve been talked over, underestimated, and outright ignored. But here’s the thing: every time someone doubted me, it only fueled my determination to prove them wrong.
One of the biggest misconceptions about entrepreneurship is that it’s all about the hustle. And while hustle is important, it’s not everything. What’s equally crucial is building a support system. For me, that meant finding other female entrepreneurs who understood the unique struggles I was facing. We’d meet up for wine nights (okay, sometimes it was just coffee) and swap stories, advice, and encouragement. Those connections were invaluable.
Another game-changer for me was learning to embrace failure. Yes, I said it—failure. Because here’s the truth: you’re going to mess up. A lot. I’ve launched products that flopped, made decisions that backfired, and had moments where I questioned everything. But each failure taught me something new. It’s like my skincare entrepreneur friend said: “Failure isn’t the opposite of success; it’s part of the journey.”
Now, let’s talk about the perks. Because, let’s be real, there are some pretty amazing perks to being your own boss. For starters, I get to set my own schedule. No more 9-to-5 grind for me. If I want to work from my couch in pajamas, I can. If I want to take a midday yoga class, I can. And the best part? I get to create something that’s truly mine. Every product, every decision, every success—it’s all a reflection of me.
But perhaps the most rewarding part of this journey has been the impact I’ve been able to make. As my business grew, I started hiring other women—moms looking for flexible work, recent grads trying to break into the industry, and career changers searching for a fresh start. Seeing them thrive has been incredibly fulfilling. It’s like I’m paying forward the support and encouragement I received when I was just starting out.
So, what’s my advice for aspiring female entrepreneurs? First, don’t wait for the “perfect” moment. There’s no such thing. Start where you are, with what you have. Second, build your tribe. Surround yourself with people who lift you up and challenge you to be better. And finally, don’t be afraid to fail. It’s scary, sure, but it’s also where the magic happens.
To all the women out there dreaming of starting their own businesses: you’ve got this. The road won’t always be easy, but it will be worth it. And who knows? Maybe one day, you’ll be the one inspiring someone else over a cup of coffee.