For female entrepreneurs, launching a business is thrilling, terrifying, energizing, mind-numbing, and everything in between.
Especially as women, it can be even more challenging. And for moms…don’t get us started. First, we are perfectionists. We are all afraid of failing, and our version of success puts so much pressure on us that it can hold us back.
We often face additional barriers—whether it’s access to funding, being underestimated, or being a mom or caregiver that pulls us away from the 24/7 workweek the media seems to tell us all entrepreneurs must have.
But we also bring something powerful to the table: grit, innovation, and the ability to turn challenges into big opportunities.
We all know that if you want something done quickly as a busy mom, those women have superpowers. Hell, we have them too. We can somehow drop everything to help a friend and still get the Chex mix made and packed for our kids to take to school in the morning.
Remember this when you are doubting if you have the intestinal fortitude to start or stick with launching and scaling your business.
Start with mindset….
1. Perfectionism Is the Enemy – You Will Never Feel Ready
Many women hesitate to launch their ideas because they want everything to be just right. But perfection is a moving target, and waiting too long can mean missing out on opportunities. Instead, embrace the concept of good enough—get your product or service in front of real people, gather feedback, and refine as you go.
Tech giants like Facebook and Google and small guys like Female Mavericks didn’t launch with a perfect product. They started small, tested, and iterated. You don’t need all the answers—you just need momentum.
2. Start with a Small Audience
A common mistake isn’t just in the product—it’s in selling to the wrong audience. Not everyone is your customer, and that’s okay. The key is finding those who truly need and value what you offer. And abandon those (for later) that don’t.
Identify your niche and speak directly to them. Don’t let your ADD get ahead of you. Join communities, engage with potential customers, and build relationships with your small niche. Don’t worry, it will grow as your value proposition does.
3. Pricing Is a Journey, Not a Destination
One of the biggest fears female entrepreneurs face is setting the right price. Too high, and you worry about scaring people away. Too low, and you can’t make a buck. Here’s the secret: pricing is not set in stone. Start where you feel comfortable, test the waters, and keep adjusting. Airlines and hotels never offer the same price two days in a row! Why do you have to?
4. Get Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable
Launching a business will push you outside your comfort zone—pitching to investors, marketing yourself, or handling criticism. Your heart will race, your doubts will creep in, and you might feel like an imposter. Do it anyway. You will literally get rejected every day.
Beth has a friend who is a super successful entrepreneur. But he started his career off in sales. Every time he would get off a tough sales call rejection, he would have a HUGE smile on his face. “Every rejection gets me closer to a close!”. Delusional-maybe? But it worked.
Growth happens in discomfort. Every challenge you face builds resilience, and each small win adds to your confidence. The female entrepreneurs who succeed aren’t the ones who never feel fear—they’re the ones who push through it.
5. Feedback Is Fuel, Not Failure
Rejection, negative feedback, and criticism can feel personal, but they’re actually tools for growth. Instead of letting them derail you, use them strategically.
Ask yourself: Is there a pattern in the feedback? Are there areas I can improve? But remember, there is such a thing as unhelpful criticism. Beth makes her kids physically breathe out when someone around them says something biting and stupid. They hate it – but they do it and grudgingly admit it helps them move on.
6. Keep Moving—Progress Over Perfection
Building a business is a marathon, not a sprint. There will be setbacks, pivots, and moments of doubt. What separates successful female entrepreneurs from those who give up is resilience—the ability to keep moving forward even when things don’t go as planned, and to keep moving forward. Your path is crooked and assume you will not be the 1 in 1,000 that gets the first customer they pitch or the first $100k they raise in funding. You are with the other 999 of us schleps that have to keep at it!
Fear is a natural part of the entrepreneurial journey, actually, of almost every journey worth going on. We all started where you are—uncertain, nervous, and worried about looking like a complete fool. The difference? They took one more step forward.
Your business isn’t waiting for perfection—it’s waiting for you to begin.
